[slipperman]

Hi,
This is the reply I received from Tim (22 June 2016) :

Quote

Unfortunately, I no longer have the GMAX files for the turntables so I would have to rebuild the turntables from scratch. I will certainly take a look at whats required, and then see about developing new versions that can be animated.

Cheers,
Ged

[rickloader]

Ok, thanks. I didn`t think Tim was available any longer. (if he is I`d like to buy a Dynatrax licence!)
I think I had best wait and see what Tim comes up with. In the meantime I will make a basic turntable shape, and try to get it working.
Am I right OR wants a 3 key 0 180 360 animation?
Thanks, Rick

[Csantucci]

rickloader, on 12 July 2016 - 07:46 AM, said:

Am I right OR wants a 3 key 0 180 360 animation?

OR wants an animation like this

				anim_node TRACKPIECE (
					controllers ( 2
						tcb_rot ( 3
							tcb_key ( 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 )
							tcb_key ( 1800 0 1 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 )
							tcb_key ( 3600 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 0 )
						)

[slipperman]

Hi Rick,
The last email address I contacted Tim on was : email@trainsimfiles.uk

His current website is :- www.trainsimfiles.uk.

Cheers,
Ged

[rickloader]

Carlo, thanks for your work on Turntables. I think I am out of my depth here as I am only used to key frame 0-1-0 animations. I have made a replacement UKFS68ft turntable with 3DC, and it displays correctly in the Sim. I get messages such as "train front on turntable" "turntable started rotation with train" and "turntable forward connect". But the turntable will not animate.
In my 3dc model "Main" is set as the turntable well with the origin set on the approach track the same as ukfs. The bridge is "trackpiece" and rotates around its own centre. Animation is 3 key frames at 0-180-360 degrees
On export 3DC gives the following
animations ( 1
animation ( 2 30
anim_nodes ( 4
anim_node MAIN (
controllers ( 0
)
)
anim_node TRACKPIECE (
controllers ( 1
tcb_rot ( 3
slerp_rot ( 0 0 0 0 1 )
slerp_rot ( 1 0 0.9999822 0 5.95526E-03 )
slerp_rot ( 2 0 0 0 1 )
)
)
)
anim_node HANDRAIL1 (
controllers ( 0
)
)
anim_node TRACK (
controllers ( 0
)
)
)
)
)
)
I have tried substituting Carlo`s code with tcb_rot, and also applying an 11m offset to the turntable bridge. It seems that 3600 frames are called for, but I can`t get 3dc to produce more than 40. Is 0-1-2, 0,180, 360 degrees allowed?
In the other turntable thread Jared2982 asked "So what do we need to create a completely new turntable from scratch? " . I don`t think this was answered, and some modelling guidance would be a great help.
Thanks again Carlo, and Chris for the info about train sim files.
rick

[Csantucci]

Try replacing

animation ( 2 30

with

animation ( 3599 30

and

tcb_rot ( 3
slerp_rot ( 0 0 0 0 1 )
slerp_rot ( 1 0 0.9999822 0 5.95526E-03 )
slerp_rot ( 2 0 0 0 1 )
)

with

tcb_rot ( 3
slerp_rot ( 0 0 0 0 1 )
slerp_rot ( 1800 0 0.9999822 0 5.95526E-03 )
slerp_rot ( 3600 0 0 0 1 )
)

[jared2982]

I understand why 3600 frames may be necessary for the default turntable. What concerns me is why turntables that are constructed correctly require so many frames. It is great we now have the long awaited operational turntable but it would be much more convenient if we could export models from modeling software and they work without having to manually edit the shape file. While it may be possible that the file format may change in the future, the programs we use to create these models will be the same.

[rickloader]

Thank you so much Carlo! That worked! In particular I needed "animation ( 3599 30" to give the 3600 frames that 3DC can not provide.
The turntable works brilliantly now, and I just need to adjust the axis and detail the model.
I do appreciate the pop up dialogue (train front on turntable etc) - a great help.
Jared, I found your posts on making a turntable very helpful, thanks. I think we are agreed making replacement models is the way forward, rather than struggling with existing ones. I guess what is needed now is a set of modelling guidelines?
Ged, (sorry I got your name wrong) thanks for the info, Dynatrax ordered!
thanks everyone! rick

[Jovet]

jared2982, on 18 July 2016 - 12:53 PM, said:

I understand why 3600 frames may be necessary for the default turntable. What concerns me is why turntables that are constructed correctly require so many frames. It is great we now have the long awaited operational turntable but it would be much more convenient if we could export models from modeling software and they work without having to manually edit the shape file. While it may be possible that the file format may change in the future, the programs we use to create these models will be the same.

The number of frames is necessary because of the granularity of the movement. A turntable that is only capable of stopping at noon, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock wouldn't be very useful. OR turntables can stop in any of 3600 positions.

You should be able to specify any number of frames in the modeling software of your choice. It should not be necessary to hand-edit new files after creating them.

[lineman]

I have a question. I animated the R_us2turntable ( basically an A1t27mturntable ) with some altering of the animation sequence ( this turntable is centered ). I cannot get it to be recognized in the tsection.dat file, trying to use the example posted here, to use the 'include' feature. Have had no success yet, could use some help please. Thanks as always

[jared2982]

jovet, on 18 July 2016 - 08:03 PM, said:

The number of frames is necessary because of the granularity of the movement. A turntable that is only capable of stopping at noon, 3, 6, and 9 o'clock wouldn't be very useful. OR turntables can stop in any of 3600 positions.

I understand that point jovet. But if a turntable only has 18 possible paths as the a1t27mturntable does, there are only 36 possible positions for it to stop in. The turntable already proceed to the next possible path when you release the activation keys. Therefore in my mind only 36 frames would be needed. Then the frame rate could be adjusted via a properties box in the RE similar to the way interactives are done now. Of course that would require more coding and collaboration with goku.

I was under the impression that the originally the 3600 frames were used, 1 frame every 0.1 degree, to counteract the fact that the axis of the turntable was not centered on the table and was actually off set to one end. If that assumption is in correct I withdraw my comments and will return quietly to my corner.

[Jovet]

jared2982, on 18 July 2016 - 10:06 PM, said:

I understand that point jovet. But if a turntable only has 18 possible paths as the a1t27mturntable does, there are only 36 possible positions for it to stop in. The turntable already proceed to the next possible path when you release the activation keys. Therefore in my mind only 36 frames would be needed. Then the frame rate could be adjusted via a properties box in the RE similar to the way interactives are done now.

There are larger turntable shapes that can accommodate more than just 18 paths. Plus, it's not where the turntable can start/stop with regard to mating with track paths, but where it can stop in general. Plus, a consistent number of frames ensures that the animation (frames per second) is consistent. I think it's fine.

[rickloader]

I`ve uploaded a replacement model for the UKFS 68ft turntable, pending the release of an official UKFS item.
My link
There are some problems with the model, but I can`t really spend anymore time till after the family holiday.
If anyone can advise on faults please let me know!
In particular, with roundhouse style exits the loco can only enter some tracks : OR does not seem to accept all tracks as aligned. Maybe my cordinates in the turntable.dat are at fault.
Possibly the UKFS section idx paths in the tsection.dat don`t line up? My guess is they can never have been tested in a static model.
Anyway, you can turn a loco now, so hope my model is useful
rick

[charland]

Hi All,

The thought of having an operating turntable is intriguing to say the least. While waiting for a file to be posted to trainsim to use for the activities for the completed Conn River route I've had time to tinker with a 1940s DAR route. I'm currently working on the Canadian National yard at Truro which includes a 30 stall roundhouse. The standard CN turntable is 92 Feet, or 28 meters. When building turntables I've been using bridge track, there is a 28.3m section that would be just over the 92 feet. Now, will using this work with the working turntable or not?

I guess what I'm asking is a step by step set of instructions on how to get a turntable to work in OR. I have no idea how to write code, but I have drawn several turntables from scratch. If this piece of track can be used can I go ahead and lay the turntable and complete the tracks around it, then come back later and "activate" it and do whatever else needs to be done to get the turntable bridge to get indexed and rotate with the track segment?

Paul :-)

[jared2982]

The bridge track will not work. You need an actual turntable track piece with all possible paths entered in the tsection.dat file. The A1t27mturntable is probably as close as you can get without creating your own.