Trainz Tools by PEV

From TrainzOnline
(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
(Disclaimer)
m (Download links changed)
 
(16 intermediate revisions by one user not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
==Attachment Maker==
+
==TextureTXT==
  
A program to add attachments to existing assets by creating an invisible mesh with attachment points. Very simple and quick to use; add attachments in minutes.
+
A simple utility to create *.texture.txt files from image file names and image content. Can scan a folder or folders to make *.texture.txt file for any image files it finds.
 +
 
 +
Download TextureTXT [http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tutorials/index.php/home/utilities/pevsoft-trainz-tools/texturetxt here]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==Attachment Maker==
  
Download AttachmentMaker [http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~villaump/pevsoft.htm here]
+
A program to add attachment points to existing assets by creating an invisible mesh with those points. Very simple and quick to use; add attachments in minutes.
  
 +
Download AttachmentMaker [http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tutorials/index.php/home/utilities/pevsoft-trainz-tools/attachment-maker here]
  
  
 
==Images2TGA==
 
==Images2TGA==
  
A program to view all image types used in Trainz.  The program can also convert any image to another format, as well as add and manipulate alpha images.  You can attach your favourite image editor to allow opening of images for edit from within Images2TGA. The program handles the latest DXT compressed textures and allows conversion of these images to other formats.  The trawl feature can be used to convert textures to TGAs.
+
A program to view all image types used in Trainz.  The program can also convert any image to another format, as well as add and manipulate alpha images.  You can attach your favourite image editor to allow opening of images for edit from within Images2TGA. The program handles the DXT compressed textures and allows conversion of these images to other formats.  The trawl feature can be used to convert textures to TGAs. Additionally it can make grey scale images and normal maps. It has recently been updated to view the two versions of textures from Trainz A New Era.
  
 
This program supercedes Texture Viewer 2 and Texture2TGA.
 
This program supercedes Texture Viewer 2 and Texture2TGA.
  
Download Images2TGA [http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~villaump/pevsoft.htm here]
+
Download Images2TGA [http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tutorials/index.php/home/utilities/pevsoft-trainz-tools/images2tga here]
  
  
Line 19: Line 25:
 
==PM2IM==
 
==PM2IM==
  
A tool program to convert Auran progressive meshes (PM) to indexed meshes (IM).  The program creates an XML file from the contents of the PM file and then uses Auran's TrainzMeshImporter.exe to make the IM file.  The texture, geometry, and animation data in the PM is passed to the XML file without loss, so the IM mesh should look and work the same as the original PM. An option is provided to alter specular values that can cause unwanted shine on object surfaces.
+
A tool program to convert Auran progressive meshes (PM) to indexed meshes (IM). An option is provided to alter specular values that can cause unwanted shine on object surfaces.
  
 
This program can also be used to remove unsupported texture types from IM meshes.
 
This program can also be used to remove unsupported texture types from IM meshes.
  
Download PM2IM [http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~villaump/pevsoft.htm here]
+
Download PM2IM [http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tutorials/index.php/home/utilities/pevsoft-trainz-tools/pm2im here]
  
  
Line 29: Line 35:
 
==Trainz Mesh Viewer 2==
 
==Trainz Mesh Viewer 2==
  
Trainz Mesh Viewer 2 is a simple program to render textured meshes for Trainz. The view can be zoomed and rotated to view the object from any angle. If textures are not present the object is rendered in the diffuse colour with shadows. The program includes a facility to make 240x 180 thumbnail images of the object and can display normal mapped objects with a separate display for the bumps. A mesh data display has been added showing poly count and mesh size.  Recent additions allow viewing of complete traincars as well as attachments and individual textures.
+
Trainz Mesh Viewer 2 is a program to render textured meshes for Trainz. Also can now render complete train cars on short length of track. The views can be zoomed and rotated to view the object from any angle. If textures are not present the object is rendered in the diffuse colour with shadows. The program includes a facility to make 240x 180 thumbnail images of the object and can display normal mapped objects with a separate display for the bumps. A mesh data display has been added showing poly count and mesh size.  Recent additions allow viewing of complete traincars as well as attachments and individual textures, and creation of a 128x64 consist icon from the train car view.
 +
 
 +
Download Trainz Mesh Viewer 2 [http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tutorials/index.php/home/utilities/pevsoft-trainz-tools/trainz-mesh-viewer-2 here]
 +
 
 +
 
 +
==QuickShadows==
 +
 
 +
This PEVSoft tool is provided to the Trainz community for the generation of shadow meshes without having to use 3DMax, Gmax or Blender.  Many rolling stock items
 +
downloaded into Content Manager show errors caused by missing shadow meshes.  Where the shadow mesh is missing a simple rectangular box mesh should be sufficient
 +
to give the shadow effect and to satisfy the requirements of the Content Manager program for an error-free asset. QuickShadows can create the shadow mesh in the shape of a rectangular box, or a simplified billboard version of the original mesh, or a pologon reduced version of the original mesh, or a black only copy of the original mesh.
 +
 
 +
Download QuickShadows [http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tutorials/index.php/home/utilities/pevsoft-trainz-tools/quickshadows here]
  
Download Trainz Mesh Viewer 2 [http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~villaump/pevsoft.htm here]
 
  
 
==PEVs Download Page==
 
==PEVs Download Page==
  
As you can see if you download any of the above you are directed to my download page.  Check out the other tools on offer.
+
As you can see if you download any of the above you are directed to Shane Turner's web site. Shane has kindly hosted PEV's downloads as his original site no longer supports them.  Check out the other tools on offer.<br>
 +
'''Please Note''' that these tools are for Windows operating systems only.  All have been compiled and tested in Windows 10.
  
  
Line 41: Line 58:
  
 
John King's Trainz Resources NewsLetter published a series of tutorials on PEV's Trainz Tools.
 
John King's Trainz Resources NewsLetter published a series of tutorials on PEV's Trainz Tools.
 
  
 
They covered:-
 
They covered:-
Line 53: Line 69:
 
'''AttachmentMaker''' ''add attachments to assets in minutes''
 
'''AttachmentMaker''' ''add attachments to assets in minutes''
  
'''Using Mesh Text Viewer for Asset Fault Finding.''' ''a simple guide to some asset fault finding''
 
  
 
+
PDFs of these are available from Shane's [http://trainz.shaneturner.co.uk/tutorials/index.php/en/home/utilities/3rd-party-trainz-utilities/pevsoft-trainz-tools download page].
Reprints of these are available from PEV's [http://www.members.optusnet.com.au/~villaump/pevsoft.htm download page].
+
  
  
Line 66: Line 80:
 
The programs are provided free of charge and in good faith to assist Trainz authors and users.
 
The programs are provided free of charge and in good faith to assist Trainz authors and users.
  
Some meshes don't render correctly in AssetX or Trainz Mesh Viewer. All of PEV's mesh tools (and AssetX) have a bug in INFL chunk based animations as produced by 3DSMax. These are rare as GMax does not support this type of animation. Unfortunately there is no documentation on how this works, and PEV has been unable to get it right by experimentation. (Still trying though)
+
Some meshes don't render correctly in AssetX or Trainz Mesh Viewer. All of PEV's mesh tools (and AssetX) have a bug in INFL chunk based animations as produced by 3DSMax. These are rare as GMax does not support this type of animation. Unfortunately there is no documentation on how this works, and PEV has been unable to get it right by experimentation.
  
 
==About PEV==
 
==About PEV==
Line 73: Line 87:
  
 
I hope you find my efforts helpful.
 
I hope you find my efforts helpful.
 +
 +
==Exit==
 +
 +
[[Tools|Return to Tools]]

Latest revision as of 08:28, 4 February 2017

Contents

[edit] TextureTXT

A simple utility to create *.texture.txt files from image file names and image content. Can scan a folder or folders to make *.texture.txt file for any image files it finds.

Download TextureTXT here


[edit] Attachment Maker

A program to add attachment points to existing assets by creating an invisible mesh with those points. Very simple and quick to use; add attachments in minutes.

Download AttachmentMaker here


[edit] Images2TGA

A program to view all image types used in Trainz. The program can also convert any image to another format, as well as add and manipulate alpha images. You can attach your favourite image editor to allow opening of images for edit from within Images2TGA. The program handles the DXT compressed textures and allows conversion of these images to other formats. The trawl feature can be used to convert textures to TGAs. Additionally it can make grey scale images and normal maps. It has recently been updated to view the two versions of textures from Trainz A New Era.

This program supercedes Texture Viewer 2 and Texture2TGA.

Download Images2TGA here


[edit] PM2IM

A tool program to convert Auran progressive meshes (PM) to indexed meshes (IM). An option is provided to alter specular values that can cause unwanted shine on object surfaces.

This program can also be used to remove unsupported texture types from IM meshes.

Download PM2IM here


[edit] Trainz Mesh Viewer 2

Trainz Mesh Viewer 2 is a program to render textured meshes for Trainz. Also can now render complete train cars on short length of track. The views can be zoomed and rotated to view the object from any angle. If textures are not present the object is rendered in the diffuse colour with shadows. The program includes a facility to make 240x 180 thumbnail images of the object and can display normal mapped objects with a separate display for the bumps. A mesh data display has been added showing poly count and mesh size. Recent additions allow viewing of complete traincars as well as attachments and individual textures, and creation of a 128x64 consist icon from the train car view.

Download Trainz Mesh Viewer 2 here


[edit] QuickShadows

This PEVSoft tool is provided to the Trainz community for the generation of shadow meshes without having to use 3DMax, Gmax or Blender. Many rolling stock items downloaded into Content Manager show errors caused by missing shadow meshes. Where the shadow mesh is missing a simple rectangular box mesh should be sufficient to give the shadow effect and to satisfy the requirements of the Content Manager program for an error-free asset. QuickShadows can create the shadow mesh in the shape of a rectangular box, or a simplified billboard version of the original mesh, or a pologon reduced version of the original mesh, or a black only copy of the original mesh.

Download QuickShadows here


[edit] PEVs Download Page

As you can see if you download any of the above you are directed to Shane Turner's web site. Shane has kindly hosted PEV's downloads as his original site no longer supports them. Check out the other tools on offer.
Please Note that these tools are for Windows operating systems only. All have been compiled and tested in Windows 10.


[edit] Tutorials for PEV's Tools

John King's Trainz Resources NewsLetter published a series of tutorials on PEV's Trainz Tools.

They covered:-

Images2TGA for manipulating all image types used in Trainz

PM2IM for conversions of Progressive Meshes to Indexed Meshes

QuickShadows for creating simple shadows where needed

AttachmentMaker add attachments to assets in minutes


PDFs of these are available from Shane's download page.


[edit] Disclaimer

PEV accepts no liability for damage or lost data arising from the use or misuse of the above software.

The programs are provided free of charge and in good faith to assist Trainz authors and users.

Some meshes don't render correctly in AssetX or Trainz Mesh Viewer. All of PEV's mesh tools (and AssetX) have a bug in INFL chunk based animations as produced by 3DSMax. These are rare as GMax does not support this type of animation. Unfortunately there is no documentation on how this works, and PEV has been unable to get it right by experimentation.

[edit] About PEV

I am a retired electrical engineer who worked for a major Australian building materials manufacturer for many years. I have two recreational passions, making classical guitars, and Trainz.. I made many software tools when working and now write them when ever I think a problem can be solved with a bit of software.

I hope you find my efforts helpful.

[edit] Exit

Return to Tools

Personal tools