Trainz Tools by PEV

Revision as of 09:17, 8 April 2012

Attachment Maker

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.

Download AttachmentMaker here

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.

This program supercedes Texture Viewer 2 and Texture2TGA.

Download Images2TGA here

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.

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

Download PM2IM here

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.

Download Trainz Mesh Viewer 2 here

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.

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

Using Mesh Text Viewer for Asset Fault Finding. a simple guide to some asset fault finding

Reprints of these are available from PEV's download page.

Disclaimer

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

The programs are provided 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)

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.