how can I build locomotives and rollingstock for train simulator 2012

[nickol]

I extensively use 3DCrafter. Once you gain experience with it, there is nothing you can't build with it, but there is one thing you cannot do with, and that is bake shadows. But if you are a good artist, you can get around that.

On the downside, the program is extremely buggy, and crashes constantly even on high end systems. If it were not for the auto-save feature that keeps me from losing my work, I would have demanded a refund from the creator long ago.

hello, I, too have 3d crafter. it does have it's strong points. however, you can do so much more with 3ds max. again the cost is thru the stratosphere, but if you are a student at a school accredited by autodesk, the program is FREE!!!. that's how I got mine. I do agree 3d crafter will crash on you with a vengeance. and lastly, it is the pro version that can export to railworks.

[TheCyclopath]

I extensively use 3DCrafter. Once you gain experience with it, there is nothing you can't build with it, but there is one thing you cannot do with, and that is bake shadows. But if you are a good artist, you can get around that.

On the downside, the program is extremely buggy, and crashes constantly even on high end systems. If it were not for the auto-save feature that keeps me from losing my work, I would have demanded a refund from the creator long ago.

[superheatedsteam]

Thank you very much for your reply. Would anyone recommend 3D Crafter Pro from Amabilis or have any experience with it?

3D Crafter has a free download you can install and have a play with it. I have 3D Crafter, but having used gmax for a long time, I found the user interface very different. That is just my personal opinion based on what I’m used to using though.

Other modellers really enjoy using 3D Crafter. It has a number of train building utilities for it and tutorials. It’s free to try so why not download it and have a go. It’s certainly cheaper than 3D Studio.

[nickol]

Thank you very much for your reply. Would anyone recommend 3D Crafter Pro from Amabilis or have any experience with it?

yes. however, if you have the money, or can deal with the ~ $200 for 3 month rental fee, I highly recommend 3ds max from Autodesk. you might still be able to find 3ds max 2013. 3ds max 2014 only works on 64 bit machines, now. good luck! 3d crafter is harder to learn, in my opinion. there are, however videos on the net, though.

[seoul_style]

'3D Studio' and '3DCrafter Pro' are 2 software packages that can export to TrainSimulator.

http://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-3ds-max/buy

http://www.amabilis.com/products.htm

Thank you very much for your reply. Would anyone recommend 3D Crafter Pro from Amabilis or have any experience with it?

[superheatedsteam]

'3D Studio' and '3DCrafter Pro' are 2 software packages that can export to TrainSimulator.

http://www.autodesk.com/products/autodesk-3ds-max/buy

http://www.amabilis.com/products.htm

[seoul_style]

Hi,

Can anyone give an example of what "high level 3D editing software" can be used to model new engines and/or rolling stock from scratch?

Thanks!

[KurrasRailroads]

I toyed around with modeling for railworks, and you have to be very careful to follow their content creation guidelines. You must have a high level 3D editing software in order to model for railworks. GMAX will not cut it. Take it slow, like previously stated, start small, and if you are tearing your hair out making a street sign, you will not have fun making a locomotive.

[Craig H]

Gmax works for MSTS but not for Railworks.

[TheCyclopath]

The answer is " very very slowly". And in other news, if you just bought Railworks, with no prior model making experience, you aren't going to be building a street sign, much less a locomotive, anytime soon. It is a very complicated process.

Well, now that I've let you down easy, the locomotive building tutorial you seek is located on a blog called TheGradeCrossing. Google it ( at blogspot ) and you should be able to get there.

Good luck!

[thomas0614]

Link doesn't work for me.

[sleepyto]

Check out the tutorial at this site

http://smmdigital.net/tuts/makingloco/index.html

[Cnyle]

Well, I am not a modelmaker, but most people use Gmax, a model building software. Some great things are made for MSTS with Gmax. I do not know how to build trains for simulators, but Gmax would probaly be the best. Also if there is a car or locomotive which is the same type of QR's roster, then you can reskin them into QR colors. I have done RJ Corman reskins for MSTS (I know you are using RW). I say you should get Paint Shop Pro, it is a great tool for reskinning.

[joshua79]

I just bought Railworks train sim 2012 and want to build QR National and Queensland Rail loco's and rollingstock.
how can I build locomotives and rollingstock for train simulator 2012?
what programs do I need?