[captain_bazza]

That's a neat trick, thanks. Could be time consuming for leaves on a tree. http://www.elvastower.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/discuss_gathering.gif

Cheers Bazza

[Eldorado.Railroad]

captain_bazza, on 01 June 2010 - 03:52 PM, said:

That's a neat trick, thanks. Could be time consuming for leaves on a tree. http://www.elvastower.com/forums/public/style_emoticons/default/discuss_gathering.gif

Cheers Bazza

The thought has crossed my mind to add more polygons to trees! The default round, rectangle, or tree shadows look like UFO's when trees are on hillsides. Dynamic shadows look awful because most trees are only formed by simple rectangular structures and with an alpha channel. Seeing that you are able to run locomotives in OR with a bazillion polygons (slight poetic license here!) I might just try modelling trees with more polygons. But then again, Wayne and his team might sort out the non-dynamic shadows for trees which will look a LOT better than what MSTS offers us now! I spend a lot a time thinking, that's why I do so little! :dance3:

[thegrindre]

If it makes any difference, I'm only using a gizzillion polygons on my model, now. Had to try to keep up with the Captn' some how. :dance3:
If I were a vegetarian instead of a model builder, I'd sure increase the veggie count. :crazy:

Go for it! :D

[Falcus]

If this includes all handy tips for MSTS, how about a list of third party programs designed to make MSTS less Hair-pulling?

Route Riter: One stop shopping for problem solving, has most name brand solutions, but not all
Route Control: For pesky Consist contractual mis-placings
Conbuilder: THE consist Creator
Convoi/Vignette: THE NEW consist Creator, with that extra free feeling
Train Store: 10 Minute MSTS Load Time? PICK ME!

And any others I either haven't thought of or don't know about?

[thegrindre]

I use, Routes On/Off. Great little app for turning your routes on and off for loading into the sim.

:oldstry:

[captain_bazza]

Included in the 'useful free tools' catagory are:

Artwork:-

Paint.NET
The GIMP

(Each has it's pro's and con's.)

MSTS 3d Shape File Viewer:-

Shape View (Paul Goudsen)

All the above are freeware.

Cheers Bazza

[Falcus]

Well, if the issue is free ware, everything on my list is free except Conbuilder, so if we take that out the rest are free ware. I made the suggestion because it seems like many people, particularly those that are new, could use the information that there are programs out there that will help them sort out MSTS' myriad of inconveniences out. Just to get a recently downloaded locomotive or route into the sim is downright frustrating to the uninitiated (Even to the initiated at times as we can all attest), and how many "Why can't I get this loco loaded?" posts/questions could we alleviate by adding (And being able to link to) an "MSTS for Dummies" section in this thread or another spiked thread?