[railguy]

Like many other simmers, I've become a real fan of Erick Cantu's model creations, both freeware and payware. In addition to all of the NAVS car offerings, I really like the NAVX GP-9 locomotives. However, I like running those locomotives as "leasers" and private switch engines (grain elevators, etc.) in the "modern era." In that regard, would it be possible for Freight Anim ditchlights to be made for this model for those of us (like me) who are totally devoid of modeling skills? I know that there has been some discussion about this for other models out there, but not for the NAVX models. Many thanks in advance if this might be possible.

[superheatedsteam]

Do you have any drawings, photos and dimensions that would assist in the modelling of those ditch lights?

Also, are you prepared to paint them?

I need to create a set of ditch lights for a SD40-2 and a SD70ACe so if someone can help out with the reference material I can model the objects.

Cheers,

Marek.

[pwillard]

Are you looking for something like this?

The standard ditch light is like 10-11 inches in diameter...

Though I will admit, it looks a bit big here...

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[steved]

They use the same lamp as headlights.
So however big those are.

Randy

[Jonatan]

Since Open Rails allows assumingly unlimited number of freight anims, ditch lights could be separately modelled and added via freight anim shapes with the nessecery .eng file mods to make them work.

Modelling one standard ditch light shape will allow for placing two or more of them via this way, on any model that needs them.

[pwillard]

Very True. Making *parts* might be helpful.

And honest, I think my actual headlights are wee bit too small. But... the ditch lights look bigger on an sample picture too...

Hmmm...

I'm not 100% sure how to create a model specifically for FA but there is always a first time.

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[railguy]

I was thinking specifically of the capability of OR to accept multiple FA's as the method to place ditchlights on locomotives. One of my little "just for me" projects is to make fictional lease locomotives for my fleet, using older power with modern ditchlights. Sort of a fictional "what if that had happened" scenario.

[ErickC]

I don't have capacity to make any ditchlight models at the moment, but someone else might. There's no technical reason why more freight shapes can't be added. Just be mindful of the visibility parameters if anything might be visible from the cab.

[pwillard]

Its probably even a good project for someone trying to learn Blender. Simple enough that you could do it as a first model. If nobody raises their hand, I could do it.

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I recall seeing a lot of dust flying a while back about FA's being misused to add attachments for extra details when the original intent was to dynamically modify things like visible loads and coal supplies. They were upset that it shouldn't be used for stuff like extra details... but that ship has sailed I think. Even so, would it make any sense to have a simpler object reference like "Object Attachment" that didn't include the ability to animate and have *that* be used for extra attachments? I dunno, thinking out loud I guess. It's quite clear that a modeler is never going to be able to capture *all* of the variations in a particular model when they release their work.

[steved]

I think it's a great idea.
Instead of building several variations one only has to make a stock model and then everybody can add their own railroad/era specific add ons.
I'll build a ditch light but it'll have to be sketchup. Shouldn't make a difference to the user.

Randy