Train editor preview video

[Lapioware]

From what I've gathered reading various forums, the lack of public editors is a significant source of frustration for some Run8 and TSW users. Surely most people wouldn't want me to go down that line?

As the sims are developing into having more advanced graphics, physics and sounds, the skill level and tooling required
to produce state-of-the-art DLC is becoming higher. This may put off many hobbyists from producing add-ons, reducing the variety of DLC and driving the prices up. I'd like to see this (in my opinion) unfortunate progress reversed.

I'm not keen on producing DLC myself at this point because the core sim and editors still need so much work (and I'm primarily a programmer). Commissioning new DLC isn't very straightforward either and consumes resources from the core sim development (guiding and communicating with the contractors). I believe the open approach is best at this stage, especially in terms of quickly producing useful feedback on the strengths and weaknesses of the editors.

[haverfordwest]

Before a train editor i would have prefered a map underlay importation feature.

Then at least prototypical routes could be created. This is just me personally not a criticism of DRS.

But then with that creators need the prototypical signalling to go with it. Early colour lights, range of semaphores and shunt ground signals.

As i say Oskari, my likes and dislikes. Probably many other DRS users would totally disagree.

Mike.

[WesternDivision]

Originally Posted by seagoon
Oskari is essentially a one-man band, James, no doubt doing what he can, when he can.

Bruce I realize the sim is being developed by one person, which is why I gave the example of Steve Thomas who has for years provided his free content for Open BVE . No doubt he was probably part of the team that built the amazing Network West Midlands Route for Open Bve, with my point being despite being part of a team it took them years of collaborating and building just on that one route and no doubt with them all doing what they could, when they could. Now that oskari has said that he wants to develop the base program further before considering commissioning new DLC with probably a 3rd party developer etc, its given a little bit more insight into what I think needs to happen. The making of some rolling stock, buildings,and route development etc should be given to someone else when the time is right to keep things moving at good pace with the objective to get some cash flow through the paid DLC addon's etc.

Originally Posted by Lapioware

From what I've gathered reading various forums, the lack of public editors is a significant source of frustration for some Run8 and TSW users. Surely most people wouldn't want me to go down that line?

Oskari!, - the significant source of frustration for some Run8 fans has been the realization that they will never see a route editor and the possibility that we may get an inbuilt timetable editor but not until version 3 of the sim is released. I can't recall anyone wanting a train editor to build locomotives etc, for Run8 I could be wrong. You have already given us a route editor and timetable editor for DRS and that currently puts you in a better position than Run8 and TSW.

Both editors need to be developed further with the route editor being easier to use and as Mike has mentioned a underlay importation feature perhaps similar to Trainz Basemapz to allow realistic routes to be built. I agree that expansion of the signalling system and its capability's needs to developed, but I would also like to see individual freight car numbering and freight car management introduced to give purpose for future industries being operated as well.

In the mean time I will continue to enjoy the sim and watch it's development .

[metalangel]

Just to add to what's already been said: What I like about DRS (and as you've said, Oskari, you're well aware) is the focus on one specific location and era, and getting that right.

We've seen Trainz, where they'd announce exciting new trains with no route to drive them on (the Blue Comet DLC, the South African loco)

We've seen Train Simulator 2020/TSW, where we get a decent looking route with a handful of buggy scenarios, and a hand being stuck out for more "DLC" to fill in some of the blanks. Meanwhile, the routes are bereft of traffic, there's not much else to see or do, and TSW most egregiously cuts the routes very short and half the stuff you'd see while driving IRL (using GWE as an example, there's no Heathrow Express, no LUL trains...)

DRS reminds me more of BVE routes like Cross City South, which I drove countless times. It wasn't a long drive, but the scenery, sound, and physics were all great. Opening the throttle for that one 90mph blast south of Longbridge was always exciting. Likewise, the old Densha de GO! games where driving was a challenge through busy, exciting routes. DRS succeeds where a lot of the new sims don't: you feel like you're in a train, moving fast, with a lot of momentum and power behind you.

You have the challenges of the mechanical gearboxes, the older style of brake controls, it requires a lot of attention, and that's on top of trying to keep your driving smooth.*

I fired up TS2020 again for the first time in over half a decade due to the Arriva Trains Wales content being removed from the store, and after the initial thrill of driving through nice renderings the old areas I lived and covered, I found myself getting bored. That feel of driving a train is completely absent, the only sense of risk or challenge is DTG's scoring system, and I can be very heavy handed with my driving without penalty.

I've since gone back to DRS for when I want a train sim. As I've said already, I'm excited to see what gets added next.

*feature request: since we can't feel for ourselves how hard we're braking, a BVE or TS2020-style G-force indicator as an optional HUD element would be nice, if that's possible. Or is it an option that I've missed?

[SD40-2]

Now that's a cool feature Oskari! Love the HST you made in that video.

[NorthernWarrior]

Just my two cents, I think a train editor is a good idea - anyone who used the old Amiga Train Driver 3 might remember that had a very basic editor to set up your own motive power, by setting up basic physics parameters, a simple cab mask and some sound clips. However... I do sit with others that getting a really good and user friendly route editor that offers the functionality of the current "Big 3" would still be the most useful advancement.

More people can probably build routes than trains, particularly if use of 3D modelling and paint software is needed (the TD3 I referenced above had no external view of the trains). A route similar to West Midlands for BVE in DRS would be superb!

[Lapioware]

Thanks for all the comments and feedback guys! It seems improving the route editor and signalling to enable more realistic routes and traffic is a high priority for the folks here (been receiving similar feedback through other channels too).

feature request: since we can't feel for ourselves how hard we're braking, a BVE or TS2020-style G-force indicator as an optional HUD element would be nice, if that's possible.

Thanks, that sounds like a good idea. I still remember the indicator and smiley face of one of the old BVE versions.

Speaking of BVE and the classic routes made for it, I wrote a loader for BVE routes and trains during the early stages of the project, but focused on more important things afterwards. I'm planning to release the loader as an update at some point, so BVE routes will eventually be drivable in DRS (but trains won't be because the plugins turned out to be too difficult to support).

[haverfordwest]

Lost me there sorry Oskari. BVE routes in DRS, what will the graphics quality look like BVE or DRS ?

Mike.

[seagoon]

Thanks, that sounds like a good idea. I still remember the indicator and smiley face of one of the old BVE versions.

I still have BVE on my old Windows XP laptop which I trot out now and then to relive the old DOS/Windows sims.
That's a great suggestion for a deceleration indicator.

.......I'm planning to release the loader as an update at some point, so BVE routes will eventually be drivable in DRS ...

Aaaah! So I can load in my Heavy Coal route? Will it work on a Windows 10 system?

[haverfordwest]

Oh noooooooooo not the Heavy Coal route.

Mike.