Meinhosen's Automata Shop

meinhosen · January 24, 2007, 06:53:53 AM

The Story

Ever since I started downloading Trolca's train mods, I have been intensely interested in creating my own in order to fill in the gaps that Trolca left. Over Christmas, I finally grabbed up the opportunity and started work on my own set of unique train skins (I'm using models by Trolca and a few other SC4 community members). Any of you who have seen my CJ on SimTrop are probably aware that I love trains, and that's what I've been busy working on over the past month.

I don't have any set, specific goals other than my own enjoyment (and possibly the eventual release of a few things here and there), but I'd like some feedback on what I've done, since I don't always spot the errors in my own work.

This is project #1, a Union Pacific SD40-2. The model is by Trolca, the paint is my own. As you can see, it's a work that is far from complete.

To-Do list
1. Change color of the catwalks
2. Bring out the details on the sides of the engine body
3. Get rid of the gray around the exhaust vents
4. Get unique automata group/range to avoid any conflicts with existing automata.

I'd like some constructive criticism/feedback. Let me know what you think.

Nardo69 · January 25, 2007, 02:12:08 PM

Hello Meinhosen!

From what I can see it looks great ...

Just one question: Any chance to get rid of that silly red American? I mean I like steam trains (well, like is not the right word ... love them since I saw the last steam engines in West Germany in my childhood) but a more modern one like a Mikado or the German Kriegslok 52 (had been build more then 6600 times and used all over Europe - the last machines quit service at the end of the eighties in East Germany, Romania, Poland and Turkey...)

Bernhard

jmyers2043 · January 25, 2007, 03:48:06 PM

Hello Bernhard

The first thing that I saw is the number one thing on your to do list. The mass of gray on the cat walks. I don't see anything else. I like the muted color scheme. I did take note of your labeling of the rail lines as Union Pacific. I've given names to streets but had never thought of giving names to the rail lines.

Serkanner · January 25, 2007, 04:10:02 PM

Meinhosen,

Besides the remarks you have noted yourself I don't see anything obvious out of order with this engine. Like you I am an avid railroads fan ( have my own Trainz topic here on SC4D ) and will wait in great anticipation what more you will show us ... keep it up!!

meinhosen · January 26, 2007, 07:23:45 PM

Does anyone know where I can request a unique series of automata IDs?

I've searched left and right on ST and PEG's site- and I'm coming up blank.

Nardo, jmyers, and Serkanner - Thanks for the comments! Once I can get my hands on a unique ID for it, it ought to be ready to go.

To-Do list
1. ~~Change color of the catwalks~~
2. ~~Bring out the details on the sides of the engine body~~ Failed, so far
3. ~~Get rid of the gray around the exhaust vents~~
4. Get unique automata group/range to avoid any conflicts with existing automata.
5. Try adding texture to catwalks
6. Add some exhaust and grime to add a "weathered" look.

jmyers2043 · January 26, 2007, 07:33:06 PM

QuoteDoes anyone know where I can request a unique series of automata IDs?

I think that is a BarbyW or Swamper77 question or an Andreas. Swamper is the transportation guru. He is still around but not as active as he once was due to a job change. Send them a PM with a link to this thread. That's what I'd do. Good Luck

goin2chicago · January 26, 2007, 08:17:12 PM

very nice. i think if you can get those remaing steps of things to do done, then it will be perfect. i'd say it's the little things like this that make the game that much better.

meinhosen · February 09, 2007, 06:05:09 PM

Well folks, the UP diesel is packaged and still awaiting a unique ID.

Next on the list of stuff:
1. Illinois Central SD40-2
2. Chicago & Northwestern SD40-2 (see a pattern

)
3. Unveil a series of transit-enabled, automata-generating lots (based off the European one's Mikeseith released on the STEX last year, and based off the North American edits I made to them in a re-release).

Here's the preview of the traffic lots:

So far, I have the heavy traffic-generating lots done and awaiting a bit of tweaking.

To-Do List
1. Hiway generators, elevated and ground
2. Find better textures for the road lots
3. Work on a custom menu icon for the series.
4. Find some willing ~~victims~~ testers to make sure these don't have any conflicts or create problems.

Your thoughts, input, and improvements are always appreciated.

Gaston · February 09, 2007, 06:53:51 PM

Interesting concept Meinhosen. That is some pretty kool stuff.

---Gaston

Cali · February 09, 2007, 07:16:30 PM

your doing a wonderful job. and the union pacific train is outstanding. hopefully you can get your id soon. and I'm sure you won't have a problem finding the "victims" you need for your experiment.

meinhosen · February 12, 2007, 04:58:42 PM

See the attachment to this post if you're interested in seeing how the UP engine looks in your game.

If you download it and see it, give me some constructive feedback.

I'll be tweaking the traffic lots and posting those for testing soon, keep your eyes peeled.

vester · February 12, 2007, 05:44:56 PM

Nice to see other do automata.

Have collected a lot of different articles on Automata modding in a google notebook. Its a bit of a mess, but its all what I have found on the subject.

meinhosen · March 04, 2007, 07:42:27 PM

I know this doesn't fall under the category of Automata or Modding, but I cooked this up this afternoon. It's based off of the BSC Park system, particularly the "Rose Walk" Park with a small SG Pond added in.

Here's from another angle.

I even managed to include the yellow placement arrows, which is my own personal triumph for the day.

jmyers2043 · March 04, 2007, 08:31:48 PM

A spiffy looking park. The gazebo, flowers, and pond all work well together.

Gaston · March 07, 2007, 07:51:05 PM

Very nice park Meinhosen. I really like the pond included in it. It has a very quiet feel about it. I'd say it would fit in nicely in any suburban area.

---Gaston

metasmurf · March 08, 2007, 01:07:06 PM

How about truck-generators? Or a car/truck mix generator lot. That would be very realistic for highways.

derek_pearce · March 08, 2007, 02:41:39 PM

i look forward to the release of those traffic generator lots they would do good in gotham

meinhosen · March 08, 2007, 03:41:08 PM

Quote from: metasmurf
How about truck-generators? Or a car/truck mix generator lot. That would be very realistic for highways.

Metasmurf - about a year ago Swamper wrote a series of truck and train generating scripts for a group of lots by Cogeo. I'm still playing around with the foundation laid by Swamper to have a dual lot (one that makes cars and trucks). Once I figure it out (read: make it work properly), I'll post the results here.

Quote from: derek_pearce
i look forward to the release of those traffic generator lots they would do good in gotham

Derek - last year I made a couple of non-traffic enabled automata-generating lots. They're not perfect, but they work. You can get them off the STEX here: [ linkie ]

More on this will be posted later on the weekend.

Swamper77 · March 08, 2007, 08:06:01 PM

Meinhosen,

If you need a hand with the scripting, just ask me. I have several methods of being contacted <---

-Jan

cogeo · March 16, 2007, 03:33:04 PM