Shadow Problems in 3DC

[SMMDigital]

Because of the "vanishing asset" issue in 3DCanvas 8.xx, i've had to "downgrade" to 3DCanvas 7.1.1.2. The graphical interface is the major difference, but operations are pretty much the same. However, i'm having problems getting shadows to export with the model. I'm using the "StencilShadow.fx" shader in the Rail Sim info box, but I just cannot get the shadow. Can someone who is using this version of 3DC give me a pointer or two?

[dick8299]

Did you name your shadow group:

shadow_xxxx

(the xxxx is name of your group that the shadow is for; eg: shadow_main)

[SMMDigital]

That may be the problem. I'm not using a shadow group. Version 8 allows you to put your shadow objects wherever you like, so i've never grouped them up. Will give that a try.

UPDATE: Tried that, still no love from the shadows. Incidentally, I checked the 3DC shaders folder, and there are only two shaders in there, and Shadows ain't one of them. Is this the problem? It is the same in the 3DC 8 folder.

[dick8299]

The shadow group is a subset of the main group.

You don't use 3DC Shaders, you use RW shaders, so don't fret about shadow not being listed in the 3DC shaders

At this point, I can't help you anymore without seeing your file.

[SMMDigital]

Here is the model:

03 Building.jpg

As you can see, the other shaders (TexDiff, Transparency) seem to be functioning normally (handrails on top of the tanks and building. But the shadows will not show up.

Here is the heirarchy:

01 heirarchy.jpg

And here is the properties for this shadow object. There are actually three shadows, on for each smaller building and the central large building.

02 Properties.jpg

I'm sure this is probably something simple, caused by my unfamiliarity with the program.

[SMMDigital]

After further experimentation, i've found that the shadow objects in 3DC 7 are not exporting. Although they are textured (dark and grainy), kept to simple objects, and given the StencilShadow.fx shader, they show up in RW as regular shapes with no textures (white). Incidentally, I also exported the same asset with 3DC 8.2, and the shadows are exported correctly.

This is just great. I can't use 3DC-8 because assets made with that version disappears in RW. I can't use 3DC-7 because the double-side function doesn't exist and the shadows won't export. AND, Amabilis does not support their products, ignoring all emails and inquiries on their forums about these problems.

At this time definitely could not recommend 3DCanvas to anyone who wants to model in Railworks.

[dick8299]

Which exporter are you using with 3DC7. I just completed a simple cube with shadow and exported using the Trainworks Wizard, and the shadow shows up just fine in the editor. After I figure out how to upload pictures here, I will show you my hierarchy, and shadow group properties.

[dick8299]

OK, how do you add an image to the posts? I might have to upload the images to TrainSim, and then post the link here.

[dick8299]

Take a look at this over at TrainSim.com:

http://forums.trainsim.com/vbts/showthread.php?p=1622866#post1622866

[pwillard]

Amabilis does not support their products, ignoring all emails and inquiries on their forums about these problems.

They do... but it's one guy with a day job... and I believe he's been out of the country lately.

History shows that Richard at Amabilis has been very supportive and responsive.

At this time definitely could not recommend 3DCanvas to anyone who wants to model in Railworks.

Please... lets not start this... clearly it's possible... we just need to make sure the techniques are clearly defined.

---

To add images... Look below the EDIT windows for the UPLOAD ATTACHMENT TAB and click it. It's should be pretty clear what to do to get the image loaded after that.

[dick8299]

3DC7 hierarchy and properties.jpg

Asset Editor.jpg

[SMMDigital]

Just to weed out the possibility that this was an error in shadow constructions, I deleted all current shadows from the asset and started over. Built a simple box, with no extra vertices or sides. Chose a dark color from the main asset texture, and painted each side individually instead of using the flood paint. Set up the file per your screen shots. Then, exported using the Trainworks wizard and the "Rail Simulator Intermediary Geometry Format (*.igs)

shadowmess.jpg

Now looking at it in the Asset Editor... no shadows!

shadowmess2.jpg

Same asset, exported in 3DC Canvas 8, using same setting (asset still disappears)...

shadowmess3.jpg

Thanks dick8299 for taking the time to help me out with this. There has got to be something i'm missing here, but i'm reading and re-reading the amabilis and UKT forums and nothing is standing out as red-flag.

********

QUOTE: "History shows that Richard at Amabilis has been very supportive and responsive."

I wouldn't call getting no support for issues with a product, and not just in this particular case, supportive and responsive. If i'm to blame for this problem because it's something i'm doing wrong, then I have no problem that; i'll fix it and move on. But when I pay MONEY for a product, I expect to be able to get a BODY on the phone or through an e-mail to tell me that i'm doing it wrong!

[pwillard]

Yeah I know... Richard has been real quiet lately...

He really hasn't posted in the forums for awhile,,, like since early July... you can't deny that.

He did say however that he was traveling overseas... I mean it's no excuse to not check in with his customers... but...

His Hometown: Penticton, British Columbia
His Current City: Sofia, Bulgaria

I can only assume that the *reason* he is in Bulgaria is what is also keeping him pretty busy at the moment.

[SMMDigital]

One possible solution for this issue that I have not tried is the Trainworks Export Wizard. How do you get the TW Wiz to work with Railworks? Everytime i've tried it in the past, it asks for the RailSimulator installation folder location (which I do not have) about 19 times, and then nothing gets exported.

[dick8299]

All you have to do is create a dummy folder structure:

C:\Program Files\Rail Simulator\Source\Developer\Addon

and then after the Trainworks Wizard exports the model to that folder, copy and paste the files over to your Railworks source folder.