Rolling Stock File and Folder Tutorial

In this tutorial you will learn where to place the files and the naming conventions used for files and folders for a new Trainz Rolling Stock or Locomotive item.

NOTE The name tutorial is used for the folder structure. Replace tutorial with the name of your model.

1. Custom folder

The following screen shot shows the directory structure for the custom folder. Some folders may not be present on your machine. If the trains directory is not present then you will need to create it.

Figure 1 custom folder contents

2. Folders and their names

Open the trains folder. Create a folder for the project and use an appropriate name There are three subfolders required for a rolling stock item these are the art, body and shadow folders. Although the model will work with only the body folder you will not have any consist images and no shadows. Create and name the three folders as shown in figure 2. I have used tutorial for the name of this project. Replace tutorial with the name of your mesh. Avoid using spaces in the name.

Figure 2 Correctly named folders

3. File names

Once the folders are named correctly then you can move your mesh and its textures into the tutorial_body folder. Rename the mesh as shown in Figure 3 but do not rename any of the other files.

Figure 3 Renamed .pm file

Once you have done this you need to create a config.txt file and reference the new folder in it with the entry asset-filename tutorial Once you have done this you should be able to start Trainz and the new object should show up in driver. If it does not show up then you may have a spelling mistake in either the folder name or the config.txt entry or you have referenced dependencies that are not available on your computer. If the item shows up correctly then you can then create some screenshots for use in driver.

Figure 4 Art files correctly named

Rename the art files as shown in figure 4. You will also need to edit the text files. This tutorial does not go into the actual creation of the art files nor the required text in the text files.

Figure 5 Shadow file named correctly

If you are intending to include shadows with your model then you will need to name the shadow mesh as shown in figure 5. I recommend the inclusion of shadows even if you yourself do not use them as it creates a more professional package.

February 18, 2007

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