AI Bell While Passing?

[jrossi]

Hey Train Sim Community,

I have searched the forum here and not have any luck. Is there a way to make AI Engines play the bell as they pass by? I know of the Invisible Car for the horn, but is there a way to make one for just the Bell.

Thanks,
Jeff

[Noisemaker]

I think a 'Invisio-Car' SMS could be reworked to have just the bell sound. I'm not sure though about getting the duration to last though? As in to have it trigger say 500ft as you approached, and release 500ft or so as you passed it. Or, just make it so it's constantly 'on' and that maybe easier? I know for the AI engines in my roster, the engines can be pretty loud. So I'm not sure if a bell could even be heard as it passed? The default bells are pretty sad and tame, though I think it's Streamlines now that has a really good loud bell recording on some of there engines.

I'll tinker with the SMS and post/upload it here. And you can substitute for whatever bell you have that's free or payware.

[Noisemaker]

So I was able to get it to work, but not sure if this is the best way? For simplicities sake, I just made it constant. And as long as it's just a AI passing, it's not too bad. Here's the SMS body for anyone to take a gander at and see what and where improvements could be made...

SIMISA@@@@@@@@@@JINX0x1t______

Tr_SMS (

Skip( **** ******************************************* **** )
Skip( **** Steven West's Unpatented Inviso-Bell DING-DING! **** )
Skip( **** ******************************************* **** )

ScalabiltyGroup( 0
Activation ( ExternalCam () PassengerCam () CabCam () Distance (1000) )
Deactivation ( )
Volume ( 0.3 )
Streams ( 1
Stream (
Priority ( 6 )
Triggers ( 1
Variable_Trigger ( Distance_Dec_Past 500 StartLoopRelease ( 1 File ( "x_BELL.wav" -1 )
SelectionMethod ( SequentialSelection ) ) )
)
VolumeCurve (
DistanceControlled
CurvePoints ( 4
0.0 1.0
100.0 0.8
950.0 0.15
1000.0 0.0
)
Granularity ( 0.05 )
)
FrequencyCurve (
DistanceControlled
CurvePoints ( 2
0.0 11000
500.0 11000
)
Granularity ( 500 )
)
)
)
)
)

For short bell loops, this is better than the 'Play One Shot' at least. As chances are one would be lucky to hear it ding once or twice way of in the distance before and after passing. But I'm really not well versed in SMS handling still to be confident. And maybe other than Jeffery, it's not a big issue for most? It does add to the realism, but maybe un-prototypical for many roads?

[jrossi]

Thanks Noisemaker. I got your PM. Sent you one back. Reason I thought of this is the Trains video I got of the Moffat Road where most of the trains have the bell going on most of the time. Also, In yard operations it works well.

[Noisemaker]

I agree, many of my memories of train action I caught here in Ontario was the same. It was something I toyed with doing for sometime, but kept procrastinating on. So you were a good nudge for me. And though my SMS might be sloppy, it does add that nice touch to AI traffic around Union Station for me. You might wish to use a different bell.wav and raise the Volume to say ( 0.6 ) or so?

[jrossi]

I will post how it works out.

[ragtimer]

You do not need to use an "invisible" wagon or whatever,simply incorporate the sound "statements" into the sms file of the relevant loco.

[Noisemaker]

Seeing the other thread on AI horns, it looks like the Germans have really done wonders for AI realism. The one thing I like about the Invisio aspect is that certain or even same consists can or not have them. On certain act's on my route I'll meet a passing AI at a grade crossing. So I'll have that consist with the InvisoHorn and it's a little more realistic then. In another act at a different time, I may meet that same consist in the middle of a field, so wouldn't want it blaring it's horn at me. So I just make a copy of that consist and take out the InvisioCar horn thing, and still get the nice roar of it's engines and all as it passes.

[Rick-MONON]

Can't u just use TWO (2) inviso's. One for horn on approach and one with bell that starts just at the xing and lasts longer than the other with the horn??

[Noisemaker]

That would be my thinking as well. My only concern with doing up Jeffery's idea was that I got a coupler mismatch putting it in the consist with ConBuilder. That might've been my bad though picking the wrong WAG to work with? But even with that error it still worked on the train when I tested it running a act. But as far as I know, none of the Invisio wags put any extra weight, space, or braking problem with AI trains. So one could even add 4 or more for front and back realism I suppose. The Invisio SMS would be great for also playing specific radio messages in your cab as certain AI's passed, and even sound effects like a good hotbox or terrible flat wheel going by.

[jrossi]

Noisemaker. It works great. I just had to change the Type to Freight and Coupler to Auto and increased the volume. it works great! Especially in the yard operation. Thanks!

[Noisemaker]

No problem Jeffery, and glad you got it working and all. That's my downfall is I'm still not up on WAG types and couplers and all that. I guess I can blame ConBuilder as well, as it makes finding and placing the cars TOO easy!

But I figured I blown something with the WAG to begin with. I'll use your fix on it as well now. Many thanks in return!