Tutorials -- Microsoft Train Simulator Basics

Microsoft Train Simulator Basics

In this tutorial we will give an overview of the basics of using 3D Canvas to create models for Microsoft Train Simulator.

This tutorial assumes basic knowledge of 3D Canvas and the Microsoft Train Simulator Route Editor.

By default each 3D Canvas unit, the length of the edge of a square on the 3D Canvas grid, is equal to 1 meter. Feet and centimetres are also available, and can be selected using the 3D Canvas Options available on the Tools menu.

Our goal in this tutorial is to add a simple object to a route in Train Simulator.

Drag and drop a sphere on to the 3D Canvas Scene.

Apply a texture to the sphere.

Microsoft Train Simulator requires that all objects be textured. For more information on Microsoft Train Simulator materials see the Train Simulator Materials tutorial.

Select Use Plugin->TrainSimWizard from the Tools menu. This will start the Train Simulator Wizard.

Click the Next button until you are on the Attributes step. This is where you choose the route where you want to add your object. If you have your own route already select it, if not select EUROPE1. This is the Settle & Carlisle line. We will not be making any permanent changes to this route.

Once you have selected EUROPE1, click Next

In this step 3D Canvas assists you in naming and organizing your model in a way that Train Simulator can recognize. A very specific hierarchical organization and naming convention are required by Train Simulator.

Click on the sphere to indicate that this is your model's "main" part. Once you have clicked on the sphere it will indicate that part identification is complete. Once it has, click the Finish button. The defaults for all of the remaining steps can be used.

Save your model.

Before a model can be used in Train Simulator it is necessary to let Train Simulator know that the model is available. A route's Ref file includes all of the models available to be used on that route. 3D Canvas created the entries required for the model, but does not update the route's Ref file. In Microsoft Train Simulator's ROUTES\EUROPE1 folder you will find two Ref files. The "settleca.ref" file is the Ref file for this route. The "myproject.ref" file includes the entries required to include this model in a route. Open both files with WordPad and add the contents of the "myproject.ref" to the end of the "settleca.ref".

Now open the Route Editor and edit the Settle & Carlisle Line.

Click the tool used for adding objects to a route and click on the route. The Object Selector will be displayed. Select the sphere that you created in 3D Canvas. It will be part of the "3D canvas Structures" object class. If you had indicated in the wizard that you wanted to create a Scenery model it would have been placed in the "3D Canvas Scenery" class. Click OK.

Notice that the sphere is embedded in the route. This is because the sphere is exactly centered in its group. Train Simulator requires that you position the object in its group so the axis is at the base of the object. You could correct this in Train Simulator by moving the model, or you could correct it in 3D Canvas.

Close the route editor, but do not save your changes (unless you want a textured sphere on the Settle & Carlisle route).

Open your sphere and switch to wireframe mode. Notice the position of the group axis is exactly in the center of the object.

Select the Shift tool. Ctrl-right-drag on the object to move the group's axis position to the base of the object.

Re-run the TrainSimWizard. When it starts, click the Finish button. You have already completed all of the necessary steps previously and it remembers all of your settings for this model.

The model is now ready to be re-added to Train Simulator. Note that since you have already made the changes to the Ref file there is no need to make any further changes.

Re-add the sphere to the route. Notice that it now sits properly on the surface.

To distribute your structure or scenery model to other Train Simulator users you will need to provide them with several files. You will need to provide them with the MyProject.s and MyProject.sd files, where "MyProject" is the project title you gave the project in the Title step of the TrainSimWizard. Also, you will need to provide them with the textures. These are named the same as the textures you used but end with ".ace" instead of ending with ".tga" or ".bmp". You may also need to provide them with the changes you made to the ref file. These files can be found in the folder of the route to which you exported your model. Usually this will be "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Games\Train Simulator\ROUTES\ROUTENAME".

More information on this subject is provided in the technical documentation provided with Train Simulator. Train Simulator technical documentation can be found on the main install CD provided with Microsoft Train Simulator in a folder called "TechDocs".