NAM 2009

[jdfess6 0]

I'm having troubles with the new street car-in-road feature in the new version of NAM. I can place the line in the road but.... Big problem, where do I put the station? There is no station for that... Help please

Thanks

[Vahr 341]

Stations are downloaded seperatly. Search "Tram in road station" or something like that on the ST Exchange

[Cougar2004 127]

Originally posted by: Blue Lightning

Stations are downloaded seperatly. Search "Tram in road station" or something like that on the ST Exchangequote>

Who's idea was that?  Whats the big problem with including one default Tram in road station, so its good to go out of the box, so to speak?  Maybe this needs needs to be re-thought.  People can always download more. 

[torontosubway 11]

here's a link to one of the rtmt station (the only one i guess)  https://www.simtropolis.com/stex/details.cfm?id=21158 .

[RedImperator 16]

Originally posted by: Cougar2004

Originally posted by: Blue Lightning

Stations are downloaded seperatly. Search "Tram in road station" or something like that on the ST Exchangequote>

Who's idea was that?  Whats the big problem with including one default Tram in road station, so its good to go out of the box, so to speak?  Maybe this needs needs to be re-thought.  People can always download more. 

quote>

The NAM team decided not to include any lots in the NAM downloads.  I'm not entirely sure what their reasons are, but I'm willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.  

Anyway, as far as tram-in-road stations are concerned, there are two options, both available at SC4Devotion:

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=1986  <--RTMT Interim T-Ram Stations, by z.

https://www.sc4devotion.com/csxlex/lex_filedesc.php?lotGET=2024  <--SFBT Tram-in-Road Tram Stop

The first set looks better and offers a lot of customization options, and will fit in with z's other RTMT stations, but installation is cumbersome and personally, I found the instructions more confusing than edifying. The SFBT stations come in three sizes (1x1, 1x2, and 1x3) and are easy to install, but they can be hard to spot because the props are so minimal.

Incidentally, even without stations, the T-RAM pieces are useful as connectors between trams-in-avenue or GLR lines.  That's how I used them during the period between when the T-RAM was released and when the stations appeared.

[Tarkus 6,932]

Originally posted by: Cougar2004

Who's idea was that?  Whats the big problem with including one default Tram in road station, so its good to go out of the box, so to speak?  Maybe this needs needs to be re-thought.  People can always download more. 

quote>

It was a decision made back in 2004 by the founders of the NAM project (Tropod, redlotus and the7trumpets),  primarily on technical grounds.  Lots are not RUL-bound and as such, do not have to be integrated into a unified package.  For a more complete explanation, I'd recommend checking out Chrisim's thread at SC4D, "Why are there no Lots in the NAM?"

-Alex (Tarkus)

[Cougar2004 127]

Well, I gotta admit... RedImperator and Tarkus do make good points. I see the difference between lots and RUL-bound, so thats fine. Thanks for clearing it up.  Now I kinda agree with that, but have a new suggestion.

I think it would be appropriate to put a page of  links in the NAM release or readme - these links would go to ONE of each type of LOT that is necessary for the NAM features to truly function. The list would be minimal. These would be picks by the NAM team, who have proven these specific few lots to fully function, be stable, fully showcase the NAM features that are possible, be realistic in effects and costs, fit the NAM-team's opinion of style, and be least likely to conflict with other addons. They could be zipped up in a separate download even instead of links.

Just a thought.

[CaptCity 4,688]

Originally posted by: Cougar2004

I think it would be appropriate to put a page of  links in the NAM release or readme - these links would go to ONE of each type of LOT that is necessary for the NAM features to truly function. The list would be minimal. quote>

While I don't want to sound as though I am belittling the idea, I can see a couple reasons why this might not be feasable. One is that the NAM team is usually ahead of the curve in their creations. That is the lots just don't exist because there hadn't been any reason to make them until something is developed and added to the NAM or one of its addons that makes the lots necessary. The stations for the various GLR features are an example of this. There were no stations (or a need) because there were no tracks until the NAM included them. So, initially, there would be nothing to add or recommend. I suppose a page of links could be added to the download later as an update, but that leads to my second concern...

These would be picks by the NAM team, who have proven these specific few lots to fully function, be stable, fully showcase the NAM features that are possible, be realistic in effects and costs, fit the NAM-team's opinion of style, and be least likely to conflict with other addons. They could be zipped up in a separate download even instead of links.quote>

While I don't pretend or wish to speak for anyone on the NAM team, this does, however, sound like a task that would be difficult to take on considering the amount of time that could and would be involved. To test available lots for correct function and realistic effects, and then recommend certain ones would probably require time that many would not have available (unless some one is on the NAM team and a 'station' team). Plus, (my opinion here) I think the responsibility of insuring the proper functionality of a creation rests with the creator(s) not with a team of people with other objectives and responsibilties (end of soapbox   ).

Maybe an alternative could be a "Transportation Options" thread (similar to the one for GLR stations ) where the various lots could be displayed in a central location for all to see and select from... volunteers...?

Again, don't wish to offend, antagonize, belittle, or orherwise cause any grief... These were just a few thoughts I had. Feel free to lampoon them as you wish...

[RedImperator 16]

The NAM team is one of the groups on SC4 Devotion. Presumably, since SC4D has strict quality control standards, they'd endorse any GLR station posted there.

[Cougar2004 127]

Originally posted by: CaptCity

Again, don't wish to offend, antagonize, belittle, or orherwise cause any grief... These were just a few thoughts I had. Feel free to lampoon them as you wish...

quote>

Your thoughts above are certainly something to think about.  I won't take shots at them.  I'm open to all kinds of opinions.  Your thread idea sounds pretty interesting, because there would be facts/details, pictures, and commentary by many.  Of course that is likely similar to the STEX download pages, where ratings and commentary can be found.

I don't really expect the NAM team to annex a nam-related lots project into their program, but I'm glad to state the idea.

[Tarkus 6,932]

The NAM Team did also start a "NAM Certified" program for Lots earlier this year as well.  The first such station was superhands/bighead99's Beverly Station for Single-Track Rail, and the next release of RTMT will carry the blue NAM Certified logos as well. 

-Alex (Tarkus)