We shall build a locomotive not because it is easy...

[mrennie]

Getting closer...

c3988.jpg

The Blueprinting section is acutaly coming along quite well. Look for it in the next couple of weeks.

Very, very nice! You've set the bar high indeed :)

I've reached the point where I'm beginning to set up the blueprints for the Consolidation. It was a milestone getting the thing into the game as an engine (instead of a plain old scenery object), but to get from there to being able to drive it is going to be .... interesting! I'll keep a close eye on this thread to pick up any pointers that might help me to get there more quickly, and I'll pass on anything I find in return.

[jpetersjr]

I've reached the point where I'm beginning to set up the blueprints for the Consolidation. It was a milestone getting the thing into the game as an engine (instead of a plain old scenery object), but to get from there to being able to drive it is going to be .... interesting! I'll keep a close eye on this thread to pick up any pointers that might help me to get there more quickly, and I'll pass on anything I find in return.

If you have to you can probably get a little information from Dick Cowen of how it's supposed to be set up. Since he's also built a steam locomotive in 3d crafter.

[mrennie]

I've reached the point where I'm beginning to set up the blueprints for the Consolidation. It was a milestone getting the thing into the game as an engine (instead of a plain old scenery object), but to get from there to being able to drive it is going to be .... interesting! I'll keep a close eye on this thread to pick up any pointers that might help me to get there more quickly, and I'll pass on anything I find in return.

If you have to you can probably get a little information from Dick Cowen of how it's supposed to be set up. Since he's also built a steam locomotive in 3d crafter.

OK, thanks.

[SMMDigital]

Any information that you guys wish to share would be more than welcome. There is more than one way to skin the locomotive, and there are alternate ways of doing things I have'nt even thought of. If you want to take few screen shots and pen a caption for them, they could be incorporated into the tutorial as well. A steam version of this tut could also help for those who are not into diesels.

[jpetersjr]

Any information that you guys wish to share would be more than welcome. There is more than one way to skin the locomotive, and there are alternate ways of doing things I have'nt even thought of. If you want to take few screen shots and pen a caption for them, they could be incorporated into the tutorial as well. A steam version of this tut could also help for those who are not into diesels.

Like me, I would rather build a steam locomotive since I've never been a real fan of diesel, about the only diesels I like are the old streamliners.

[jpetersjr]

...I've joined in on the tutorial to build the Alco RS-11.

My question is that my model is a 4 axel loco, how do I figure out where the wheels should be moved to to fit that of a 4 axel instead of a 6 axel loco. How would one figure out the needed numbers to where the wheels should be placed?

[Chacal]

You need a schematic with measurements, such as this.

[jpetersjr]

You need a schematic with measurements, such as this.

I have that some picture, but how do you convert the measurements??

[bpetit]

I'm confused on the x y z scalings. How do you get the values, like in smmdigtal's tut where it says: So we will put 3.5 (3'6", or 42 inches) in the X and Y.. Does it have to be in inches and then converted to decimals?

[PapaXpress]

What I use to convert inches into tenths (now pretty much in my memory)
http://stakemill.wordpress.com/2008/03/ ... of-a-foot/

Don't worry about the metric conversion until you are ready to make the blueprint.

So in 3DC the X Y Z is different than 3D Max. X is left/right, Y is up/down, Z is forward/reverse. Also in 3DC, the orientation of Z is towards you. So you will be looking at the rear of the locomotive. I also suggest that you move the 0,0,0 widget to 25,0,-75 (XYZ).

[mrennie]

You need a schematic with measurements, such as this.

I have that some picture, but how do you convert the measurements??

First of all, if the measurements in the diagram are in feet and inches (and fractions), then you need to go into options and make sure you've set the measurements to be in feet instead of metric.

Secondly, you're going to need a calculator. In 3DC, the measurements in feet use decimal fractions. So, if you see 9' 4" between axles, it converts to 9+(4/12)=9.3333.

Another example: 26" and 19/32nds:

19/32= 0.59375. That divided by 12 (to get it into feet) = 0.0495.
26" divided by 12 is 2.1667.
Add them together: 2.1667+0.0495 = 2.2162 feet. That's the measurement to use in 3DC.

A few useful numbers (I know these from memory now!):
1"=0.08333
1 foot=1.0
1/2 inch=0.0417
1/4 inch = 0.0208

With my Consolidation, I've gone as far as calculating points for 1/64ths of an inch, the smallest measurement on my engineering drawings! Thanks to that, when I came to put all the pieces together, they fit like a glove first time.

[bpetit]

Ah now I see. Thanks mrennie and Papa.

[Hawk]

Here's another handy conversion utility.

http://joshmadison.com/convert-for-windows/

[jpetersjr]

Got the size figured out and got my wheels laid out. They fit perfectly.

Alco RS-11 Progress 2.jpg

[mrennie]

Got the size figured out and got my wheels laid out. They fit perfectly.

Alco RS-11 Progress 2.jpg

It's a good start. Here's a tip ... now that you've got them positioned correctly, lock them! I should do that more often myself. Countless times I've moved or modified a part without meaning to, like when it's been behind another part that I was cutting faces out of.