Converting models to trainz

[jack24]

I didn't know where to post this but I'm creating a footbrige model on Google SketchUp and I have no idea of how to convert it to trainz 2006. I might be getting it all wrong but I've just started creating models so ...

[Itareus]

There is a Sketchup to Trainz converter, see this thread on the Auran/N3v forums:

http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthre ... chUp/page4

I have no idea if this converter will work for Trainz 2006 - you might find out somewhere in the above (4 page) thread.

BUT beware, models created in Sketchup and exported to Trainz nearly always have a high "Poly Count" and generate a lot of "Texture" files. Put together these two things can have a great impact on the performance of Trainz, i.e. slow things down a lot, this is less important with small uncomplicated models but should still be avoided.

In the long run you will be better off learning Blender (2.6 or later). Blender is free, but I does have a steep learning curve so you wont get instant results.

Good luck !

[jack24]

i've already tried Blender and yes I've also already given up on it

[squit13]

Well, if you struggle with getting to grips with blender, you could give gmax a go. Follow a few of the simpler tutorials, then build up from there.

[jack24]

And how do you convert models from Gmax to trainz 2006?

[alexfleming380]

Once you have finished everything in gmax, save your model. Then, in the "file" dropdown, click "export". Choose a name and a place to save this and gmax will create the .im file for the mesh and the texture.txt files for textures. I often just ignore the .gmw file also created as that is of no use to me. Then all you have to do is write up the config file and import it into trainz using content manager.
hope this helps,
Alex.

[squit13]

Sorry, should have said. You also need the Trainz asset creation studio, which is basically gmax, with the exporters for Trainz. You can get both gmax and the asset creation studio from here- http://www.auran.com/trainz/contentcreation.htm.

HTH
Huccaby

[belclaur]

If you want to get good results try to use 3dsmax.And you have exporters for trainz for every edition.

[danny109]

Sorry for the bump, but how do I write the config for the train once it's all exported. I'm doing a trial run of my 380 (hopefully done before Christmas ) with the 108 from the Warehouse (no I'm not releasing it) so it goes from a scenery item to a traincar with enginesounds, bogeys etc etc. Any help appreciated.