[asteph627]

Hi All,

I don't think this is an Open Rails bug but I have an NS D40-9CW #9446 which I have been working on for about 2 days adjusting and readjusting the front headlights but cannot seem to get them to turn on. I believe this is a MLT Loco.
I am wondering if someone could look over the parameters and tell me if they can see a problem. I am including the headlight file below. I no longer use MSTS Train Simulator just Open Rails. Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated. I know there is a way in Conbuilder to set parameters but I haven't figured it out.

AJ Stephany

Attached File(s)

•  NS_D9-40CW_9446.eng (42.39K)
  Number of downloads: 286

[vince]

Hi AJ,

Maybe this will help you. It's a short clip from the MSTS Tech Docs file How_To_Specify_Lights.doc


Step 1: Setting requirements The first thing you must specify is when you want the light or lights in question to come on.
This is done by setting a number of flags to define the requirements for the lights concerned to light – if no requirements are listed, the light will always be on.

Possible Requirements
Headlight (0) (ignore headlight control status)
Headlight (1) (the headlight control is at “Off”)
Headlight (2) (the headlight control is at “Dim”)
Headlight (3) (the headlight control is at “Bright”)

Unit (0) (ignore unit status)
Unit (1) (the unit is in the train but isn’t at the front or back)
Unit (2) (the unit is the frontmost unit of the train)
Unit (3) (the unit is the rearmost unit of the train)

Penalty (0) (ignore penalty status)
Penalty (1) (the train has not “stopped due to a penalty brake application”)
Penalty (2) (penalty) (the train has stopped due to a penalty brake application” (useful for specifying an emergency warning light)

Control (0) (ignore control status)
Control (1) (the player is not control of the unit [i.e. it is a helper locomotive or wagon)
Control (2) (the player is in control of the unit)

Service (0) (ignore service status)
Service (1) (the unit is not in service e.g. a failed train lying in a siding)
Service (2) (the unit is in service)

TimeOfDay (0) (ignore time of day)
TimeOfDay (1) (only come on if it’s daytime)
TimeOfDay (2) (only come on if it’s night

Weather (0) (ignore weather)
Weather (1) (only come on if it’s fine)
Weather (2) (only come on if it’s raining)
Weather (3) (only come on if it’s snowing)

Coupling (0) (ignore coupling status)
Coupling (1) (original front of wagon is coupled)
Coupling (2) (original rear of wagon is coupled)
Coupling (3) (both ends of wagon are coupled)

The complete file can be found in the MSTS Tech Docs, a folder located on MSTS Install disk 2There also may be information in the Open Rails Manual. Just search for 'lights' in the Manual.

Regards,
vince

[copperpen]

asteph627, on 24 January 2020 - 01:17 PM, said:

Hi All,

I don't think this is an Open Rails bug but I have an NS D40-9CW #9446 which I have been working on for about 2 days adjusting and readjusting the front headlights but cannot seem to get them to turn on. I believe this is a MLT Loco.
I am wondering if someone could look over the parameters and tell me if they can see a problem. I am including the headlight file below. I no longer use MSTS Train Simulator just Open Rails. Any suggestions or help is greatly appreciated. I know there is a way in Conbuilder to set parameters but I haven't figured it out.

AJ Stephany

Positions are measured in meters from the center datum point of the model in x,y z configuration with 0.0 being on the center line of an axis. Looking at your headlights it seems you are seeking to position vertically. The problem is your lights although on the center of the X axis ( center line ) they are not even close together on the Y ( cross ) or Z ( vertical ) axes. Using a - sign in front of the position figures puts the lights below (x), behind (y) or to the left (z) of the center lines.

[asteph627]

[quote name='vince' timestamp='1579901794' post='255191']
Hi AJ,

Maybe this will help you. It's a short clip from the MSTS Tech Docs file How_To_Specify_Lights.doc


Step 1: Setting requirements The first thing you must specify is when you want the light or lights in question to come on.
This is done by setting a number of flags to define the requirements for the lights concerned to light – if no requirements are listed, the light will always be on.

Possible Requirements
Headlight (0) (ignore headlight control status)
Headlight (1) (the headlight control is at “Off”)
Headlight (2) (the headlight control is at “Dim”)
Headlight (3) (the headlight control is at “Bright”)

Unit (0) (ignore unit status)
Unit (1) (the unit is in the train but isn’t at the front or back)
Unit (2) (the unit is the frontmost unit of the train)
Unit (3) (the unit is the rearmost unit of the train)

Penalty (0) (ignore penalty status)
Penalty (1) (the train has not “stopped due to a penalty brake application”)
Penalty (2) (penalty) (the train has stopped due to a penalty brake application” (useful for specifying an emergency warning light)

Control (0) (ignore control status)
Control (1) (the player is not control of the unit [i.e. it is a helper locomotive or wagon)
Control (2) (the player is in control of the unit)

Service (0) (ignore service status)
Service (1) (the unit is not in service e.g. a failed train lying in a siding)
Service (2) (the unit is in service)

TimeOfDay (0) (ignore time of day)
TimeOfDay (1) (only come on if it’s daytime)
TimeOfDay (2) (only come on if it’s night

Weather (0) (ignore weather)
Weather (1) (only come on if it’s fine)
Weather (2) (only come on if it’s raining)
Weather (3) (only come on if it’s snowing)

Coupling (0) (ignore coupling status)
Coupling (1) (original front of wagon is coupled)
Coupling (2) (original rear of wagon is coupled)
Coupling (3) (both ends of wagon are coupled)

The complete file can be found in the MSTS Tech Docs, a folder located on MSTS Install disk 2There also may be information in the Open Rails Manual. Just search for 'lights' in the Manual.

Regards,
vince

Thanks Vince, I have the lights set as Headlight ( 3 ) Unit ( 2 ) for a lead unit but it seems all the MLT locos have the same parameters. I've been working on the positions of the light, but no luck. I also used the tutorial on the steam4me site without success.

AJ

[lineman]

Here's the light section from my NS D940CW 9446
Lights ( 20

Comment ( Headlight Sphere of Light )
Comment ( Always on for FIRST unit at night when in service )

Light ( comment( Sphere of Lights Dim)
Type ( 1 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
TimeOfDay ( 2 )
Unit ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( 0.0 3.0 7.0 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 200 )
Angle ( 45.0 )
)
)
)
Light (
comment( Sphere of Lights Bright)
Type ( 1 )
Conditions (
Headlight ( 3 )
Unit ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( 0.0 3.0 7.0 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 300 )
Angle ( 45.0 )
)
)
)
Comment ( Step and Porch Lights - All Trains )
Comment ( Always on at night when in service )

Light (
comment ( Front Left Step Light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
TimeOfDay ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.7 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( ffffffaa )
Position ( -1.35 0.64 9.73 )
Azimuth ( 0 -45 0 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.1 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment ( Front Right Step Light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
TimeOfDay ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.7 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( ffffffaa )
Position ( 1.35 0.64 9.73 )
Azimuth ( 0 0 45)
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.1 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment ( Rear Left Step Light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
TimeOfDay ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.7 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( ffffffaa )
Position ( -1.35 0.64 -9.75 )
Azimuth ( 0 -180 -135 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.1 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment ( Rear Right Step Light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
TimeOfDay ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.7 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( ffffffaa )
Position ( 1.35 0.64 -9.75 )
Azimuth ( 0 135 180 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.1 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment ( Front Porch Light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
TimeOfDay ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.7 )
FadeOut ( 0.7 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( ffffffaa )
Position ( 0 1.97 10.1 )
Azimuth ( 0 -15 15 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.1 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment ( Rear Porch Light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
TimeOfDay ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.7 )
FadeOut ( 0.7 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( ffffffaa )
Position ( 0 1.97 -9.9 )
Azimuth ( -180 -180 -180 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.1 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment ( Front Left Ground Light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
TimeOfDay ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.7 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( aaffffaa )
Position ( -1.2 1.37 7 )
Azimuth ( 0 -180 180 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.2 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment ( Front Right Ground Light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
TimeOfDay ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.7 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( aaffffaa )
Position ( 1.2 1.37 7 )
Azimuth ( 0 -180 180 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.2 )
)
)
)

Comment ( Front Headlights - Player Trains )
Comment ( Always on for FIRST unit when in service )

Light (
comment( Right Headlight )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
Unit ( 2 )
)
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
Cycle ( 0 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( 0.09 4.56 8.64 )
Azimuth ( -3 -3 -3 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.38 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment( Left Headlight )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
Unit ( 2 )
)
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
Cycle ( 0 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( -0.09 4.56 8.64 )
Azimuth ( 3 3 3 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.38 )
)
)
)

Comment ( Rear Headlights - Player Trains )
Comment ( Always on for LAST unit when in service )

Light (
comment( Rear Top Headlight )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
Unit ( 3 )
)
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
Cycle ( 0 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( 0.0 4.2 -9.93 )
Azimuth ( -180 -180 -180 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.36 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment( Rear Bottom Headlight )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Service ( 2 )
Unit ( 3 )
)
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
Cycle ( 0 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( 0.0 4.02 -9.91 )
Azimuth ( -180 -180 -180 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.36 )
)
)
)

Comment ( Ditch Lights - Controlled )

Light (
comment( Front Left ditch light - constant )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Headlight ( 3 )
Unit ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( -0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment( Front Right ditch light - constant )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Headlight ( 3 )
Unit ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( 0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment ( Front Left ditch light Flashing )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Control ( 2 )
Headlight ( 2 )
Unit ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.8 )
FadeOut ( 0.8 )
States ( 4
State (
Duration ( 0.1 )
LightColour ( 00000000 )
Position ( -0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
State (
Duration ( 0.6 )
LightColour ( ffffe4ab )
Position ( -0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
State (
Duration ( 0.6 )
LightColour ( ffffe4ab )
Position ( -0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
State (
Duration ( 0.1 )
LightColour ( 00000000 )
Position ( -0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
)
)

Light (
comment ( Front Right ditch light Flashing )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Control ( 2 )
Headlight ( 2 )
Unit ( 2 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.8 )
FadeOut ( 0.8 )
States ( 4
State (
Duration ( 0.6 )
LightColour ( ffffe4ab )
Position ( 0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
State (
Duration ( 0.1 )
LightColour ( 00000000 )
Position ( 0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
State (
Duration ( 0.1 )
LightColour ( 00000000 )
Position ( 0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
State (
Duration ( 0.6 )
LightColour ( ffffe4ab )
Position ( 0.75 1.95 10.846 )
Azimuth ( 0 -10 10 )
Transition ( 1 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
)
)
Light (
comment( Rear Left ditch light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Control ( 2 )
Headlight ( 3 )
Unit ( 3 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( -0.75 1.94 -10.6 )
Azimuth ( -180 -180 -180 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
)
)
Light (
comment( Rear Right ditch light )
Type ( 0 )
Conditions (
Control ( 2 )
Headlight ( 3 )
Unit ( 3 )
)
Cycle ( 0 )
FadeIn ( 0.5 )
FadeOut ( 0.5 )
States ( 1
State (
Duration ( 0.0 )
LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
Position ( 0.75 1.94 -10.6 )
Azimuth ( -180 -180 -180 )
Transition ( 0 )
Radius ( 0.34 )
)
)
)
)
These show perfectly on my Open Rails sim. This is a BEW updated file for this loco

[asteph627]

Thanks lineman, that worked but I must have missed that update on this loco. Looks like I have some more locos beside this one to update. Thank You and everyone else for your suggestions and help.

AJ

[lineman]

Glad it worked for you.

[railguy]

Here is my admittedly trial and error method for positioning lights.

1. Open the .eng file (not the .s file) in ShapeViewer.
2. On the "View" Tab select Axes/Attachments. This will show the position of the lights on the model.
3. When you click on the written description of the light, it will highlight it on the model in pink.
4. Then you can go back to the .eng file (leave SViewer open in the background) and adjust the position of the light to where you think it should be. Save the .eng file.
5. Return to SViewer, go to the file tab and click "Reload File."
6. Repeat select Axes/Attachments. This should show you the modified position of the light.
7. Modify as necessary.
8. Repeat the steps until you are satisfied with the position of the light or lights.
9. Open either MSTS or OpenRails using a consist with the engine in it. See how the light(s) look within the sim.
10. Repeat all the steps as necessary until you are satisfied with the results.

NOTE: If a light is specified in the Axes/Attachments tab, but does not show on the model, chances are good that it is mis-positioned and "buried" somewhere inside the model. Also, cabout position and exhaust positions are also shown in Axes/Attachments and can also be repositioned as necessary using the above method.

This seems and can be time consuming, but will go much faster as you practice. Also, many lights have the same position, just on opposite sides of the locomotive. So, in such cases, one can often get, say, the engineer's side light correctly positioned, then use the same position (with x-axis with the +/- sign changed) to modify the fireman/conductor side light.

Along with positioning, one can change the light diameter, azimuth, and color to make the lights look better. For example, the truck and step lights on many locomotives are specified in "stock" models with too large a diameter. Easily fixed. Similarly, for example, most current generation locomotives use LED lights for truck and step lights that have a much "bluer" cast than incandescent lights. Modifying the light color can modify that.


Finally, the MSTS various light parameters listed in posts above are accurate, however, MSTSBin added several more and OpenRails does recognize those. Those Bin parameters are listed here on Goku's MSTSBin site: http://mstsbin.uktra...om/eng/eng.html .

[scottb613]

railguy, on 25 January 2020 - 07:24 AM, said:

Here is my admittedly trial and error method for positioning lights.

1. Open the .eng file (not the .s file) in ShapeViewer.
2. On the "View" Tab select Axes/Attachments. This will show the position of the lights on the model.
3. When you click on the written description of the light, it will highlight it on the model in pink.
4. Then you can go back to the .eng file (leave SViewer open in the background) and adjust the position of the light to where you think it should be. Save the .eng file.
5. Return to SViewer, go to the file tab and click "Reload File."
6. Repeat select Axes/Attachments. This should show you the modified position of the light.
7. Modify as necessary.
8. Repeat the steps until you are satisfied with the position of the light or lights.
9. Open either MSTS or OpenRails using a consist with the engine in it. See how the light(s) look within the sim.
10. Repeat all the steps as necessary until you are satisfied with the results.

NOTE: If a light is specified in the Axes/Attachments tab, but does not show on the model, chances are good that it is mis-positioned and "buried" somewhere inside the model. Also, cabout position and exhaust positions are also shown in Axes/Attachments and can also be repositioned as necessary using the above method.

This seems and can be time consuming, but will go much faster as you practice. Also, many lights have the same position, just on opposite sides of the locomotive. So, in such cases, one can often get, say, the engineer's side light correctly positioned, then use the same position (with x-axis with the +/- sign changed) to modify the fireman/conductor side light.

Along with positioning, one can change the light diameter, azimuth, and color to make the lights look better. For example, the truck and step lights on many locomotives are specified in "stock" models with too large a diameter. Easily fixed. Similarly, for example, most current generation locomotives use LED lights for truck and step lights that have a much "bluer" cast than incandescent lights. Modifying the light color can modify that.


Finally, the MSTS various light parameters listed in posts above are accurate, however, MSTSBin added several more and OpenRails does recognize those. Those Bin parameters are listed here on Goku's MSTSBin site: http://mstsbin.uktra...om/eng/eng.html .

Hi...

Nice write up - I only discovered that feature in the last six months - that you can actually open an ENG/WAG file in ShapeViewer - OMG - I wish someone had clued me in earlier... It makes life so much better...

Regards,
Scott