In these tutorials you will learn how to create a locomotive and texture it, add the required attachment points, export it and then create the config.txt file. The methods used to create the locomotive can be adapted to any Trainz item.

Note. To complete these tutorials you will need to download the sample textures here.

3DStudio Max will be referred to as 3ds.

To complete these tutorials with the dimensions listed herein you will need the following setup
1. Open the "Units Setup.." dialog from the "Customize" menu and select the "System Units Setup" button. In the "System Units Scale", use the system unit scale of 1.0 units = 1m
2. In the "Units Setup set "Display Units Scale" to Metric Meters.

Before beginning this tutorial I suggest you get used to the "ArcView", "Pan" and "Zoom" buttons located at the bottom right of the 3ds window. These tools are indispensable for moving around the view port.
For most of this tutorial I use the "User" veiwport rather than the "Perspective" viewport.

Chapter 1. Main Base
Tools Used: Box, Boolean, Line, Unwrap UVW, Material Editor, Edit Mesh, Select and Move

Chapter 2. Main Body
Tools Used: Box, Chamfer, Smooth, Select and Move, Material Editor, Unwrap UVW

Chapter 3. Raised Cab Steps and Kick Plates
Tools Used: Box, Select and Move, Hide, Chamfer. Mirror, Material Editor, Unwrap UVW

Chapter 4. Cab and Windows
Tools Used: Box, Bevel, Weld, Select and Move, Boolean, Material Editor, Unwrap UVW, Plane, Rotate and Move

Chapter 5. Front hood
Tools Used: Box, Select and Move, Material Editor, Unwrap UVW

Chapter 6. Front and rear plates
Tools Used: Line, Circle, Trim, Extrude, Material Editor, Unwrap UVW, Select and Rotate, Mirror, Select and Move

Chapter 7. Steps and underbody support
Tools Used: Box, Bevel, Select and Move, Material Editor, Unwrap UVW, Mirror

Chapter 8. Fuel and Air Tanks
Tools Used: Box, Select and Move, Cylinder, Select and Rotate, Oil Tank, Material Editor, Unwrap UVW

Chapter 9. Hand Rails
Tools Used: Rotate, Move, Line, Arc, NGon, Loft, Unwrap UVW, Smooth, Box

Chapter 10. Adding Attachment Points and shadows
Tools Used: Point, Select and Move

Chapter 11. Exporting the Mesh
Tools Used: Windows explorer, Export, Resource collector

Chapter 12. Setting up the Config.txt File
Tools Used: Windows Explorer, ConTEXT (or Notepad).

 

Copyright © 2004 P. Campbell. All rights reserved.

Revised: September 23, 2004
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