Best software for simulator?

[Guest]

Hi

I am wanting to make a rail simulator and wondering which option best suits my needs. I will put some money into it so that I can have a good experience.

I will likely have a hardware setup to real controls and dials. I would like the best visuals possible.

I may want to connect my simulator to other people to simulate at the same time so it needs networked capability.

Also, I will want to project graphics onto a big dome maybe. Which is the best software to use in your opinion?

TS2014 looks very cool but I wonder how much modding I can do with it?

Thanks

[derekmorton]

A rail simulator is a large amount or work.
You might want to have a look at Open Rails.

http://openrails.org/

[NorthernWarrior]

Not really clear from the OP - do you mean you are planning to code your own train sim programme or are you setting up the equivalent of a "virtual cockpit" to run one of the existing commercial sims?

All of the big three are customisable for creation of user content if you have the skills and in some cases additional software. TS2014 is probably going to give the most realistic looking graphics especially if projecting on a large screen. The latest version of Trainz (TS12) does have hi-res graphics but might be worth waiting to see if the "new" graphics engine being developed for the next version (T:ANE) lessens the toy/model appearance that can be apparent with some content. Can't speak for Open Rails graphic resolution as I don't use it, but MSTS will only display up to 1280 x 1024 and no widescreen option. If you're starting from scratch then you may have issues getting some of the support utilities to install on modern 64 bit PC's (there are threads in the MSTS section on that sort of thing).

[conductorchris]

If you want multi-player capability that leaves you with:

Open Rails (in development, but comes with the largest selection of routes and content the second most realistic)
Run8 (The most realistic for operation, but only 2 routes in the west are available)
Trainz (somewhat model railroad like. Second best graphics)
Train Simulator 2014 (Best graphics, sparse content and has other issues).

That's a quick summary -- I leave you to read up to do more research.

You should also have a look at
raildriver.com
(Which works on all the above options)

I use Open Rails and am happy with it and happy with the large amount of content, but I don't use multi-player. I'm glad it's there though.

Christopher

[Laurene Younge]

If you want multi-player capability that leaves you with:

Open Rails (in development, but comes with the largest selection of routes and content the second most realistic)
Run8 (The most realistic for operation, but only 2 routes in the west are available)
Trainz (somewhat model railroad like. Second best graphics)
Train Simulator 2014 (Best graphics, sparse content and has other issues).

That's a quick summary -- I leave you to read up to do more research.

You should also have a look at
raildriver.com
(Which works on all the above options)

I use Open Rails and am happy with it and happy with the large amount of content, but I don't use multi-player. I'm glad it's there though.

Christopher

Thanks for sharing this information. Just checked out raildriver.com and they have very useful products. Thanks again.