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

[SMMDigital]

I'll see if I can fit them in with the next update. Understand thougb before you get into it that it's pretty muddled. It was my first unwrap with 3DC, so there are some goofy areas that may produce unexpected results, like the top of the short hood.

[SMMDigital]

The FCCA is a railroad in Peru. It's run by RDC, a U.S. railroad managment company, and is one of the highest altitude operating railroads. Apparently they love GE locomotives and have a few more C39-8's and Dash 7's.

[Csxgp38-2]

RDC is awesome. They also own a railroad in Africa, and that giant almost-class I, Iowa Interstate.

[jpetersjr]

Really enjoying the GE models.

To me it's one of the best and one of the most advanced freeware-donationware locomotives available for the sim.

I love how powerful it is and I love the animated controls and windows to the touch of the mouse, make's it even more interesting to me.

Can't wait to see more.

Would you be interested on making a tutorial on how to build train cars in 3D Crafter. I want to build some wooden box cars, some passenger cars and a bay window caboose.

[jpetersjr]

Something I've been working on. At the moment working on the body.

I know it's not a diesel locomotive, but it is something I've always wanted to do.

It is the J3A Hudson 20th Century Limited. Also known as the Empire State Express ran by New York Central.

Empire State Express Progress 2.jpg

Empire State Express Progress 3.jpg

Empire State Express Progress 4.jpg

Empire State Express Progress 5 A.jpg

Empire State Express Progress 5 B.jpg

Once done the model will be freeware if I'm successful at getting it into the game.

Also, the tutorial is coming in handy with building this.

[Csxgp38-2]

Agreed, and maybe try to learn a higher graphics program. Nothing wrong with crafter, just it makes really low quality textures and such, I know I'm trying to learn how to export for sketchup into something better so I can texture and finally get something in-game.

[BNSFdude]

I hope this doesnt make you stop working on it. xD
http://www.turbosquid.com/3d-models/rea ... 3ds/604625

[Chacal]

John, I rely think you should pick just one locomotive, read up as much as you can on making a locomotive and stick to the one locomotive. i think thats your best bet on getting this one in to the game

Impostor alert!
This can't possibly be mdurdan speaking like that.

[SMMDigital]

Ummm, BNSFDude, at $189.00 for a license to use it, I dont think JP has anything to worry about from the Turbosquid model. They have a GP40-2 as well, but I like mine better.

CSXGp, I disagree with your assesment about the quality of textures applied by 3DCanvas. They are the same as what is applied by Max, and you can apply all of the effects, save Shadow Baking. If the texture quality is poor, the fault is that of the person applying the textures, not the program itself.

[PapaXpress]

Just to back SMM, have you seen this thread?
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=5763

Its all 3DC.

[SMMDigital]

Just to back SMM, have you seen this thread?
viewtopic.php?f=31&t=5763

Its all 3DC.

That is a sweet looking ride. Hope it doesn't kill my computer when I try to run it!

As far as things go with 3DC, i'm finding that it will do pretty much anything you ask it to do as far as modeling goes. There are some odd workarounds for some things, but it all turns out good in the end. One drawback I am finding however is how the program handles files as they get larger. As I approach 40k with my models, the program slows down immensely, sometimes looking like a powerpoint presentation as I move around the scene. I'm not sure what is causing this, as I have a very robust system. Also, i'm starting to have 3DC program crashes if the program compilers reaches/uses more than 1GB of system memory. Then again, i'm using an older version of Canvas.

[Chacal]

Unless you've changed a lot in the last few weeks!

[mrennie]

Ummm, BNSFDude, at $189.00 for a license to use it, I dont think JP has anything to worry about from the Turbosquid model. They have a GP40-2 as well, but I like mine better.

CSXGp, I disagree with your assesment about the quality of textures applied by 3DCanvas. They are the same as what is applied by Max, and you can apply all of the effects, save Shadow Baking. If the texture quality is poor, the fault is that of the person applying the textures, not the program itself.

I totally agree. I've shadow baked my Consolidation manually, painting shadows into the texture myself, and the quality of the textures is down to what you are able to do in Photoshop (or Gimp or whatever). I think I'm now spending at least as much time making (and re-making ... there's a lot of trial and error to get the right look) textures as doing the rest of the modelling.

[SMMDigital]

Also, according to Decapod, if you paint in your light and dark areas, it results in few draw calls on the textures, which means it takes less processing power to render the Asset on-screen. You've done a fine job on the locomotive shape, i've no doubt you'll be able to pull off a good paint job.

[mrennie]

Also, according to Decapod, if you paint in your light and dark areas, it results in few draw calls on the textures, which means it takes less processing power to render the Asset on-screen. You've done a fine job on the locomotive shape, i've no doubt you'll be able to pull off a good paint job.

Interesting! Maybe that's another reason why I'm getting good fps with my own model.