How To Make Scenery

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<b>Trainz</b>, the game, consists of two basic components: <u>a railroad</u> and <u>scenery</u>. Trainz aficionados are a diverse group and individual users interests and talents are likely to emphasize one or the other of the two.  Developing the scenery that surrounds the railroad is an aspect of the game that only a few users have really mastered. This integrated series of How-To pages will introduce those interested in improving the look of their route&mdash;improving the scenery&mdash;to techniques they can easily learn and apply.  Although scenery objects (assets) are important and will be discussed, the focus here is on the landscape itself: especially the use of the '''<span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Help/Topology_Tab Topology]</span>''' (sic) and '''<span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Help/Paint_Tab Paint]</span>''' tools in Surveyor Mode. Although applicable to any version of Trainz, the text is based on the tools and renderings available in '''TRS2019'''.
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<b>Trainz</b>, the game, comprises two basic components: <u>a railroad</u> and <u>scenery</u>. Trainz aficionados are a diverse group and individual users interests and talents are likely to emphasize one or the other of these two components.  Developing realistic scenery surrounding the railroad is an aspect of the game that only a few users have really mastered. This integrated series of How-To pages will introduce those interested in improving the look of their route&mdash;improving the scenery&mdash;to techniques they can easily learn and apply.  Although scenery objects (assets) are important and will be discussed, the focus here is on the landscape itself: especially the use of the '''<span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Help/Topology_Tab Topology]</span>''' (sic) and '''<span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Help/Paint_Tab Paint]</span>''' tools in Surveyor Mode. Although applicable to any version of Trainz, the text is based on the tools and renderings available in '''TRS2019'''.
  
How important is realistic scenery? It is fair to say that Premium Routes, free to Trainz Plus members and for a small fee to others, are selected by N3V Games largely on the basis of the scenery. Location is a substantial part of the interest in mastering a Trainz Session set in the Rocky Mountains or in Northern Italy; and the same can be said for a realistic industrial area. It is conceivable that some users may have little or no interest (oh the  horror!) in actually running a railroad.  From T:ANE version forward a gamer may create a world in which the railroad is just part of the scenery.  Travel about such a world ("Route") would be by car, truck, bus, boat, or airplane&mdash;or just walking.  This approach is now possible in Trainz, appealing to a user with a strong artistic nature.
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How important is realistic scenery? It is fair to say that Premium Routes, free to Trainz Plus members and for a small fee to others, are selected by N3V Games largely on the basis of the scenery. Location is a substantial part of the interest in mastering a Trainz Session set in, say, the Rocky Mountains or Northern Italy; and the same can be said for conducting operations in a complex and realistic industrial area. It is conceivable that some users may have little or no interest (oh the  horror!) in actually running a railroad.  From T:ANE version forward a gamer may create a world in which the railroad is just part of the scenery.  Travel about such a world ("Route") would be by car, truck, bus, boat, or airplane&mdash;or just walking.  This approach is now possible in Trainz, appealing to a user with a strong artistic nature.
  
 
= Table of Contents =
 
= Table of Contents =
The folowing subject areas are part of this Trainz Wiki How To Guide:
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The folowing subject areas are part of this Trainz Wiki How To Guide (click on a chapter title):
 
<TABLE>
 
<TABLE>
 
<TR>
 
<TR>
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<TD width=15%><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Layout LAYOUT]</span></TD>
 
<TD width=15%><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Layout LAYOUT]</span></TD>
 
<TD width=5%></TD>
 
<TD width=5%></TD>
<TD width-30%>Starting a route; Linear vs. Area models; hiding the "Edge of the World"</TD></TR>
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<TD width-30%>Starting a route; Linear vs. Area models; hiding the "Edge of the World".</TD></TR>
 
<TR>
 
<TR>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Hills_and_Valleys HILLS and VALLEYS]</span></TD>
 
<TD><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Hills_and_Valleys HILLS and VALLEYS]</span></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
<TD>Ups and downs: creating terrain</TD></TR>
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<TD>Ups and downs: creating terrain.</TD></TR>
 
<TR>
 
<TR>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Object_and_Spline_Assets OBJECT and SPLINE ASSETS]</span></TD>
 
<TD><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Object_and_Spline_Assets OBJECT and SPLINE ASSETS]</span></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
<TD>Adding objects and spline objects; spline shadows; backdrops</TD></TR>
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<TD>Adding objects and spline objects; spline shadows; backdrops.</TD></TR>
 
<TR>
 
<TR>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Coloring_.28Painting.29 COLORING (PAINTING)]</span></TD>
 
<TD><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Coloring_.28Painting.29 COLORING (PAINTING)]</span></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
<TD>Selecting and applying ground textures</TD></TR>
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<TD>Selecting and applying ground textures.</TD></TR>
 
<TR>
 
<TR>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Water_Features WATER FEATURES]</span></TD>
 
<TD><span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Make_Good_Scenery#Water_Features WATER FEATURES]</span></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
 
<TD></TD>
<TD>Creating surface waters: creeks, streams, lakes, waterfalls, and the ocean</TD></TR>
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<TD>Creating surface waters: creeks, streams, lakes, waterfalls, and the ocean.</TD></TR>
 
</TABLE>
 
</TABLE>
 +
 +
 +
=== Some Basic Rules ===
 +
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For every route builder, the first consideration is achieving a scenery consistent with the landscape they are mimicking.  Choice of objects, particularly vegetation (types of trees, for example.), is perhaps primary but topography&mdash;creating the terrain of hills, mountains, gullies, etc.&mdash;is of great importance and should be the starting point for a new route or expansion of an existing route.  Another rule requiring consideration is the "decrease detail with distance" rule. The computer will attempt to render everything you have added within a scene (up to the "Draw Distance setting); and the scene is constantly moving with the train being operated. Great detail may be called for close to the track, but not at distances far from the track.  Details should decrease with distance on the premise that no one is really going to notice them, no matter how much fun they might be to create, and rendering them places a cost on performance. Note that a decrease in detail with distance from the viewer is built in to most assets and ground textures to reduce strain on the rendering process.
  
 
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<td>
 
<td>
 
<span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Related  Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz</span><br>
 
<span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Related  Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz</span><br>
 
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*'''<span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Help/Topology_Tab Using Topology Tools]</span>'''
*'''<span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Use_Environment_Tools Environment Tools]</span>'''
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*'''<span class="plainlinks">[https://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/How_to_Use_Environment_Tools Using Environment Tools]</span>'''
 
*'''<span class="plainlinks">[http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/HowTo How to Guides]</span>''' (How-to Menu)
 
*'''<span class="plainlinks">[http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/HowTo How to Guides]</span>''' (How-to Menu)
  

Latest revision as of 03:53, 26 December 2021

Trainz, the game, comprises two basic components: a railroad and scenery. Trainz aficionados are a diverse group and individual users interests and talents are likely to emphasize one or the other of these two components. Developing realistic scenery surrounding the railroad is an aspect of the game that only a few users have really mastered. This integrated series of How-To pages will introduce those interested in improving the look of their route—improving the scenery—to techniques they can easily learn and apply. Although scenery objects (assets) are important and will be discussed, the focus here is on the landscape itself: especially the use of the Topology (sic) and Paint tools in Surveyor Mode. Although applicable to any version of Trainz, the text is based on the tools and renderings available in TRS2019.

How important is realistic scenery? It is fair to say that Premium Routes, free to Trainz Plus members and for a small fee to others, are selected by N3V Games largely on the basis of the scenery. Location is a substantial part of the interest in mastering a Trainz Session set in, say, the Rocky Mountains or Northern Italy; and the same can be said for conducting operations in a complex and realistic industrial area. It is conceivable that some users may have little or no interest (oh the horror!) in actually running a railroad. From T:ANE version forward a gamer may create a world in which the railroad is just part of the scenery. Travel about such a world ("Route") would be by car, truck, bus, boat, or airplane—or just walking. This approach is now possible in Trainz, appealing to a user with a strong artistic nature.

[edit] Table of Contents

The folowing subject areas are part of this Trainz Wiki How To Guide (click on a chapter title):

LAYOUT Starting a route; Linear vs. Area models; hiding the "Edge of the World".
HILLS and VALLEYS Ups and downs: creating terrain.
OBJECT and SPLINE ASSETS Adding objects and spline objects; spline shadows; backdrops.
COLORING (PAINTING) Selecting and applying ground textures.
WATER FEATURES Creating surface waters: creeks, streams, lakes, waterfalls, and the ocean.


[edit] Some Basic Rules

For every route builder, the first consideration is achieving a scenery consistent with the landscape they are mimicking. Choice of objects, particularly vegetation (types of trees, for example.), is perhaps primary but topography—creating the terrain of hills, mountains, gullies, etc.—is of great importance and should be the starting point for a new route or expansion of an existing route. Another rule requiring consideration is the "decrease detail with distance" rule. The computer will attempt to render everything you have added within a scene (up to the "Draw Distance setting); and the scene is constantly moving with the train being operated. Great detail may be called for close to the track, but not at distances far from the track. Details should decrease with distance on the premise that no one is really going to notice them, no matter how much fun they might be to create, and rendering them places a cost on performance. Note that a decrease in detail with distance from the viewer is built in to most assets and ground textures to reduce strain on the rendering process.



[edit] Trainz Wiki

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