HowTo/Make your first Trainz Asset

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The "How to make your first Trainz Object" step by step tutorial will teach you how to:

1. Determine what software you'll need

2. How to setup the model and materials in 3DS Max and export to a Trainz Object

3. How to create the Trainz Asset and import it into Trainz Content Manager

4. Where to find and use the Trainz Object in Trainz Simulator 12


1. Determine what software you'll need

Before you start you will need: - A copy of Trainz Simulator 12 (or technically, a copy of Trainz).

- A copy of 3DS Max studio that has a supported Trainz Exporter. We are using 3DS Max 2008 in this example. Information on all exports can be found link HERE and the download files can be found link HERE

  • To setup the exporter in 3DS Max you will want to extract the .zip file and then place the correct versions "JetExporter.dle" file into the plugins directory of your installed 3DS Max. For example, it might look like "C:\Program Files (x86)\Autodesk\3ds Max 2008\plugins"

- (OPTIONAL SOFTWARE) link nDo2 is a Photoshop plugin that makes creating normal (or bump) maps for your models a breeze.

2. How to setup the model and materials in 3DS Max and export to a Trainz Object

- STEP 1: Model your object at the highest detail required to look good up close. The distance that the highest level of detail model (LOD 0) will be seen in Trainz could be from 0 up to about 40 meters away from the camera. This distance is defined later in the tutorial anyway but keep this in mind.


Lod 0.jpg



- STEP 2: Continue making a further 2 lower level detail models (LODs) for the exact same item you are modelling. The 2nd highest detail model (LOD 1) is required to still look decent at 40 up to 80 meters away. You will want to remove about 50% of the original polygons found in the highest detailed model (LOD 0 - above). The 3rd highest detail model (LOD 2) is required to still look decent at 80 up to 160 meters away. You will want to remove about 50% of the original polygons found in the 2nd highest detailed model (LOD 1).

This is an example of the LOD 0 detailed verse LOD 1 and LOD 2 detail.

Lod 0 v lod 2.jpg Lod 0 v lod 2 distance.jpg



- STEP 3: Create an extremely low detailed model (LOD 3) to be used in the distance. In this example we are saying this model will be used 160 meters and beyond. Usually the lowest detail model which is used in the distance is a billboard (2 polygon object) or a cube type object (8 - 10 polygons). Whatever you choose, this detail must use as fewer polygons as possible.

Lod 3.jpg


- STEP 4: Setting up the materials is pretty easy but you'll need to work out what type of material (look) you want for your object. All the Trainz materials available for you to use in 3DS Max can be found here

You should setup your image files as 32-bits/pixel without "Compress (RLE)" checked.

32-bits.jpg

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