High Speed Rail Project

[3ddz 17]

I think that its realy the best option to replace monorail, so it can be dragable with tunnels and bridges whats really a plus. But only the elevated version can
be dragable the ground version will have to be done by puzzle pieces i think, or is there a way to make to different version of one network. One elevated and the
other on ground?

Here is a picture on the progress so far. Straight and diagonal piece street onway and avenue crossings are done. How ever the textures will change later.

[Swamper77 90]

You saying that picture is not photoshopped in any way? You are doing very well with the process of creating 3DS/S3D models I'll look forward to the final project and release!

[3ddz 17]

no photoshop involved here, screenshot drirectly from the game...
But that was the easy part, now i have to find out how to change the curves to smoother ones and how to make it impossible to make crossings and some
other combinations that dont make sense on a high speed rail track.

[winonanick 0]

qurlix - thanks for your input.

Originally posted by: 3ddz

I think that its realy the best option to replace monorail, so it can be dragable with tunnels and bridges whats really a plus. But only the elevated version can be dragable the ground version will have to be done by puzzle pieces i think, or is there a way to make to different version of one network. One elevated and the other on ground? Here is a picture on the progress so far. Straight and diagonal piece street onway and avenue crossings are done. How ever the textures will change later.quote>

3ddz- I would agree that what you are doing  by replacing the monorail is the best way to go.  I like the way it is looking.  I will be excited to see what your textures will look like.  IMO, in your last picture I am not that big of a fan of the pilings used by the old monorail system, did not match well at all.  But in the other picture the ramp you were using for a transition from ground to el was great.

Thanks for the effort!

[Moshi 61]

Just a thought... Does anyone know what the speed for monorail is in the game?

[3ddz 17]

winonanick - dont know what you mean exactly? the models are nearly the same in both pictures. The difference is that the first one is a bat model and the second
one a real 3d network piece only the textures are slightly changed...

[darste 3]

Hi, Sorry for the long absence. I would like if possible that all requests for the HSRP ie: pictures, ideas, etc. be sent to me so I can then pass them on to Murakumon directly. Thanks

[qurlix 20]

• 3ddz: Wow, great job with the models! How to make crossings impossible? Oh boy...this is where RULs come in. I'll write up an explanation and PM it to you.
• Moshi: Monorails are 200 KPH. I did some research and I'm thinking the HSR speed should probably be set at 300 KPH...it's both realistic and noticeably faster than anything else in-game.

-qurlix

[Murakumon 1]

Sorry I haven't been checking up on this as regularly as i could... i wanted to give a quick update on MY progress.

We as you can see 3ddz as been working hard on some excellent s3ds for the elevated segments. AWESOME WORK 3DDZ! I'm not really good at all with the BAT. So i'm focusing more on the ground part of it. I'm gonna try to start making textures for the elevated models. and im going to start working on the textures for the ground rail. having said that....

I have some concerns... if the monorail network is going to be replaced with HSR elevated track... then what about surface HSR? I thought it was the other way around?

[3ddz 17]

Making the ground version dragable is what i had in mind at the beginnig too, but i figured out that it would be easier the other way. Because making the elevated
dragable the only thing left is to replace the s3d files the pathing and the rest is already like it have to be, and bridges are even nearly ready until now.
The bridges will need some graphical change to make them look better but otherwise they are ready to use as you can see below just have to model a new
pillar and eventually change some other models later on.
Another thing are the overpasses, ive got nearly half of them ready what wouldnt be possible for the ground version. At least we can also add overpasses to the
ground version, we should think about that if its necessary/realistic etc...

I hope you agree with my oppinion about this.

Another thing are the possible track variations, i added a sketch of the things that schould be possible, affraid to hear wath you think about that.
I think that are enough pieces until the track should be more straight in fact of the high speed.

Edit: forgotten 2 pieces on the second image, the diagonal one and a diagonal-bend piece

[pjot 20]

Hey guys! This project took a great turn, I've been waiting for the monorail to be transformed into something useful. If there's anything I can do I'd be happy tp help. I know The Reader rather well and I know some 3d modeling. I could also make textures in PS.

Just let me know how I can help!

[JayStimson 211]

pjot: You are absolutely right. Nice to see you willing to contribute your talents. I hope the group takes advantage of you ... uhmm. I mean your offer. lol
3ddz: Your work is coming along really well and your moving on this pretty fast. Very impressive. Only comment I have is that (IMO) the wavy (don't know how else to describe it) interior barriers next to the tracks just don't look right (theme-wise). I'm wondering if straight ones wouldn't look more appropriate. Just my 2 cents ... about what it's worth too I reckon. lol

[pjot 20]

haha, well I sure do hope they won't take advantage of me in THAT forbidden way

[Swamper77 90]

@3ddz: Just a little bit of constructive criticism, the track deck needs to be a slight bit higher. It should be at 15.5, as this is what the Maxis monorail pathfiles have as the height value. If you need any more help, I will be around. I try to check in at least once a day.

@Jay: I think those "bumped out" areas are where the overhead wire assemblies will be mounted.

-Swamper77

[JayStimson 211]

Thanks for pointing that out swamper. Makes sense now. Should look excellent once the assemblies are in place. This should be very cool when it's done.

[Murakumon 1]

I guess that makes sense... It's much easy to make ground puzzle pieces than to make elevated ones.

[teddyb4492 1]

Wow - things are moving along very nicely - this is really looking great.  even though i don't like the idea of replacing the monoral this looks like it will be great.  i can't wait to see what is next.  if i can also offer some help, i can do some good lot making and testing, sorry i just haven't learned to BAT yet. anyway just holler.
teddyb4492

[3ddz 17]

@swamper77: youre right, im currently at 14.5m. I will change that to 15.5m instantly.
Another thing is that i will need a bunch of extra s3d models in addition to the ammount that is already in the game, for curves etc. Now im worried about what
id's to use for them without getting trouble with other mod like the NAM or so?

[winonanick 0]

Originally posted by: 3ddz winonanick - dont know what you mean exactly? the models are nearly the same in both pictures. The difference is that the first one is a bat model and the second one a real 3d network piece only the textures are slightly changed...quote>

3ddz- I have edited your photo from before. I am not trying to be a pest just giving my 2 cents on your work. I like the texture you have on the ramp (see below), but I think the concrete pilings (supports) could be improved - the color doesn't quite match the wavy wall and track looks like it is floating on them. I am just trying to provide a constructive critique. I think your work is looking great, and I would happily use it as is. Do with my opine what you wish...

p.s. I like the wavy concrete sound barrier!

[3ddz 17]

oh now i see what you mean, the textures of the models are far from final and will be edited seveveral times in the future until its ready...
You can only see a part of the pilling on this picture, you can see it complete on page 5, maybe i change the model of it later.

[Murakumon 1]

I Think We Should Use Tracks Like This... Concrete Sleepers Does that seem like the best appoarch?

[Murakumon 1]

Ok i tried putting concrete tracks in a texture...

[3ddz 17]

Murakumon: i think a track like on your picture would fit very nicely, looking forward to get a straight texture from you so i can put it on the model...

Little progress update from my side, today i have finished all network crossings except highway. Every other network now can pass under the track and will
look correct.
I also improved the concrete texture for the pillings and side walls as you can see in the little picture.

[trainboy2004 0]

Please use this kind of signals for the European LGV.

[qurlix 20]

Looks like you need to change the shadows beneath the tracks, too. They still look like monorail. Otherwise, everything looks good, and my how quickly you work! Pretty soon were going to need a good train model and all the other aspects of the network. A basic station, too. -qurlix

[3ddz 17]

The shadow must be changed of course, but thats not so urgend and i havent found out how to change it. I will do that later on.

At the moment i have the whole day to work on the project, i want it to be in beta status until the end of the next week. Because than i have to get back to study
and wont have much time anymore.

[pnorrell 4]

Damn - this project's flying right along! I've heard modders say, "things will move faster if someone can make the models" - guess so!

Bravo to you all for coming together on this. Pretty neat to see things take shape so quickly.

[3ddz 17]

So here is my progress of this day, the bridge model is ready.
Unfortunately i discovered a bug in my recent work, a very strange thing. I wanted to make a screenshot from the bridge with the built in function.
But all i got was an empty file and some strange characters. Without the bride it works with it i cant take screenshots ingame.
So i had to press print and paste it into photoshop...

[choco1 4]

Wow! You made a bridge! It took the best modders of simtropolis forever to figure out how to make a custom bridge! You are a genius! Did you mod it yourself?

This is a very interesting project, its looking amazing! Its just stunning that you made a bridge. Great stuff!

[jerkasaur 0]

This looks really great, I actually putting off building a new city untill this is realsed. On a side note, will the monorail shadows that a currently present under the track be fixed, or is that something that is hard coded into the game?