Consequently, as the route is being built as it was in the 1930's, I have revised the model and taken the opportunity to add the disused coaling stage and inspection pit, to the south of the shed.
Wednesday, 8 December 2010
Lynton Revised
I have been reliably informed that my Lynton locoshed is too small. Apparently, it was extended during its life to be large enough to accept a carriage.
Consequently, as the route is being built as it was in the 1930's, I have revised the model and taken the opportunity to add the disused coaling stage and inspection pit, to the south of the shed.
Consequently, as the route is being built as it was in the 1930's, I have revised the model and taken the opportunity to add the disused coaling stage and inspection pit, to the south of the shed.
Friday, 24 September 2010
Lynton
I'm off on holiday for a couple of weeks, so I thought I'd leave you with a screenshot of my first assets for Lynton station.
Both the locoshed and the signalbox have visible interiors which I still find difficult to light properly. Using just a 3DS Max "skylight" makes the interiors too dark. Currently I tweak the shadow map to get the effect I want, but if anyone knows a good way of illuminating the interiors any guidance would be appreciated?
Both the locoshed and the signalbox have visible interiors which I still find difficult to light properly. Using just a 3DS Max "skylight" makes the interiors too dark. Currently I tweak the shadow map to get the effect I want, but if anyone knows a good way of illuminating the interiors any guidance would be appreciated?
Tuesday, 21 September 2010
Monday, 20 September 2010
Woody Bay
Back to work on the Lynton & Barnstaple!
Have just finished the assets for Woody Bay. Originally called Wooda Bay the station survives today and is home to the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust, who preserve the station and a short section of track. However, they hope to re-instate the whole line at some point.
On the other side of the track is the Station Hotel, later re-named the Moorlands Hotel. It still operates as a small country hotel and self-catering holiday establishment.
Have just finished the assets for Woody Bay. Originally called Wooda Bay the station survives today and is home to the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway Trust, who preserve the station and a short section of track. However, they hope to re-instate the whole line at some point.
On the other side of the track is the Station Hotel, later re-named the Moorlands Hotel. It still operates as a small country hotel and self-catering holiday establishment.
Monday, 13 September 2010
Platform Trolley Update
I had a request to update my trolleys to be selectable in scenarios, which only takes a few minutes, so I agreed to do so. It also gave me the chance to fix a problem with one of the stencil shadows.
While I was in the mood I also agreed to provide some luggage and boxes to put on the trolleys and here's the result ...
While I was in the mood I also agreed to provide some luggage and boxes to put on the trolleys and here's the result ...
Tuesday, 7 September 2010
Luggage trolleys
After the release of the recent steam era luggage trolleys, I was asked if I could make some modern versions, so I thought I'd give it a go.
Monday, 6 September 2010
Texture tweaks
In retrospect I was rather unhappy with the textures on the Parracombe watertank, it hardly looked like something that had been around for several decades.
So, courtesy of photoshop, here's a revised version.
So, courtesy of photoshop, here's a revised version.
Sunday, 5 September 2010
Parracombe Halt
Moving on up the line, have created the assets for Parracombe Halt.
The dirt platform is a lofted item to follow the track using the offset tool and the watertank is a "fuelpoint" asset, so loco's can re-fill their tanks.
Have been experimenting with lighting to try to improve the interior look of open assets, like the Parracombe halt shelter, with mixed success so far. Just using a skylight illumination makes the interior too dark, so have added spotlights to illuminate the interior, but not too successfully I'm afraid. Will have to do some more research on the subject!
The dirt platform is a lofted item to follow the track using the offset tool and the watertank is a "fuelpoint" asset, so loco's can re-fill their tanks.
Have been experimenting with lighting to try to improve the interior look of open assets, like the Parracombe halt shelter, with mixed success so far. Just using a skylight illumination makes the interior too dark, so have added spotlights to illuminate the interior, but not too successfully I'm afraid. Will have to do some more research on the subject!
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
More Blackmoor
At long last the final buildings for Blackmoor are ready. These are the goodshed, goods store and stables.
The stables were built to provide accommodation for the horses for a coach link to Ilfracombe, but this was not too successful. They still remain, converted into holiday cottages, whilst the station is now a hotel and restaurant.
The stables were built to provide accommodation for the horses for a coach link to Ilfracombe, but this was not too successful. They still remain, converted into holiday cottages, whilst the station is now a hotel and restaurant.
Monday, 30 August 2010
Carry yer bag, sir?
As my health improves, I'm starting to get back into things, but decided to start off with something simple.
So I thought I'd put together a collection of luggage handling items I'd seen in various photos of the route.
I think some of them may have had the station name painted on the side and that can be added later if Gary wants them that way.Its not very clear but you may be able to see the word Chelfham on the side strake of this barrow, just below the smaller suitcase.
I am very pleased with the results, so I have decided to re-skin them all and make a set for the UKTS community.
Wow! 128 downloads in 2 days, that's what I call a success.
So I thought I'd put together a collection of luggage handling items I'd seen in various photos of the route.
I think some of them may have had the station name painted on the side and that can be added later if Gary wants them that way.Its not very clear but you may be able to see the word Chelfham on the side strake of this barrow, just below the smaller suitcase.
I am very pleased with the results, so I have decided to re-skin them all and make a set for the UKTS community.
Wow! 128 downloads in 2 days, that's what I call a success.
Monday, 16 August 2010
Gradients signs
Received a list of all the gradient changes on the route, courtesy of Bob Barnard's route map (see here), so determined to make gradient signs to suit, based on the one at Woody Bay.
As I didn't want to make 60+ signs I tried to find a way to make a simple sign and add the relevant numbers when it was placed in the game. After many abortive attempts I settled on using the Railworks milepost feature to create the sign.
The problem with this method was that the data could only be input as 6 digits, so, if only 4/5 digits were required there was no obvious way to remove the surplus digits. On consideration, as 9 rarely appears in the gradient profile, I allocated the numeral 9 to a blank space so a gradient change from 55 to 135 would be input as 559135.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to make the arms adjustable in game, so in the end I had to make 10 variations of the sign, which, I think, covers all the options and is still considerably less than 60+ signs!
As I didn't want to make 60+ signs I tried to find a way to make a simple sign and add the relevant numbers when it was placed in the game. After many abortive attempts I settled on using the Railworks milepost feature to create the sign.
The problem with this method was that the data could only be input as 6 digits, so, if only 4/5 digits were required there was no obvious way to remove the surplus digits. On consideration, as 9 rarely appears in the gradient profile, I allocated the numeral 9 to a blank space so a gradient change from 55 to 135 would be input as 559135.
Unfortunately, it was not possible to make the arms adjustable in game, so in the end I had to make 10 variations of the sign, which, I think, covers all the options and is still considerably less than 60+ signs!
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Mileposts and such
Still not back into the full swing of things, so settled for making up some new mile and quarter mile posts.
All of the bridges on the L&B were numbered and the number was displayed alongside the bridge on a cast concrete marker, you can see my version next to the mileposts and here's an original which can be seen at Woody Bay.
All of the bridges on the L&B were numbered and the number was displayed alongside the bridge on a cast concrete marker, you can see my version next to the mileposts and here's an original which can be seen at Woody Bay.
Monday, 2 August 2010
Blackmoor Gate
I was delaying posting an update until I had completed all the station buildings at Blackmoor, but following a nasty fall down a flight of wet steps, I am unable to continue modelling for a little while. Consequently, here's an interim update on where I had got to with Blackmoor (apparently the railway never called the station Blackmoor Gate).
Apologies for the lack of scenery, but Gary is relaying the track at this time, so scenery is on hold until he finishes that.
Apologies for the lack of scenery, but Gary is relaying the track at this time, so scenery is on hold until he finishes that.
Monday, 19 July 2010
Track Update
The new flat bottom track is now in place along with the new manual switches. Many thanks to Kevin Martin for all his help with this.
Friday, 16 July 2010
Bratton Fleming
Moving further out into the country have now arrived at Bratton Fleming. Here are some of the assets for the station.
I have made the watertank as a fuelpoint asset and animated the filling spout to swing out when activated, but, in reality, this tank was very rarely used as it was too far from the platform to fill up the loco tanks whilst the train was standing in the station.
I have made the watertank as a fuelpoint asset and animated the filling spout to swing out when activated, but, in reality, this tank was very rarely used as it was too far from the platform to fill up the loco tanks whilst the train was standing in the station.
Tuesday, 13 July 2010
Track
The original track on the route was the 2ft bullhead available from UKTS but it has been decided to upgrade to the flat bottom rails that was actually used on the Lynton & Barnstaple.
Therefore, with the help of Kevin Martin, the track is being replaced with a L&B specific track which will be included with the route. At the same time, an opportunity has been taken to replace both the buffers and the manual switches with something more prototypical to the route.
Here's a couple of photos of the results so far.
The first shows the wooden faced concrete buffer used extensively through the route.
Second shot shows the flat bottomed track, the new ballast and the manual switch.
Still a WIP but I hope they show what we are trying to achieve.
Therefore, with the help of Kevin Martin, the track is being replaced with a L&B specific track which will be included with the route. At the same time, an opportunity has been taken to replace both the buffers and the manual switches with something more prototypical to the route.
Here's a couple of photos of the results so far.
The first shows the wooden faced concrete buffer used extensively through the route.
Second shot shows the flat bottomed track, the new ballast and the manual switch.
Still a WIP but I hope they show what we are trying to achieve.
Tuesday, 1 June 2010
Chelfham
As promised, its time to move out into the country!
Have just finished a set of assets for Chelfham station.
Just the platforms to do. Going to experiment a little first, to see whether we prefer a populated platform, or an unpopulated one. We're not very happy with the populated platforms as "people" tend to accumulate at the platform ends, which is very unprototypical (if you exclude trainspotters). So, the idea is to use an unpopulated platform with a much smaller invisible populated platform to limit the movement of the people. We'll see how it goes.
Have just finished a set of assets for Chelfham station.
Just the platforms to do. Going to experiment a little first, to see whether we prefer a populated platform, or an unpopulated one. We're not very happy with the populated platforms as "people" tend to accumulate at the platform ends, which is very unprototypical (if you exclude trainspotters). So, the idea is to use an unpopulated platform with a much smaller invisible populated platform to limit the movement of the people. We'll see how it goes.
Monday, 17 May 2010
Castle Quay
In between trying to sort out the physics on the wd-crane model, I have been putting together a few low poly models to populate the Castle Quay.
Have tried very hard to identify the strange whitish building on the right in this picture. It was part of the electricity works, but its actual purpose remains unknown.
Anyway, here's my version of Castle Quay, which. hopefully, is my last asset for Barnstaple. Time to head out into the country.
Have tried very hard to identify the strange whitish building on the right in this picture. It was part of the electricity works, but its actual purpose remains unknown.
Anyway, here's my version of Castle Quay, which. hopefully, is my last asset for Barnstaple. Time to head out into the country.
Thursday, 13 May 2010
Track update
Solved the problem of the piece of track for the static crane by a little sleight of hand.
Created a clone of the existing track then edited the .bin file to remove the Start and End geometry entries, so now have a track loft that doesn't put buffers at each end.
Created a clone of the existing track then edited the .bin file to remove the Start and End geometry entries, so now have a track loft that doesn't put buffers at each end.
Wednesday, 12 May 2010
ex_WD crane part 2
The static version of the crane, for Lynton goods yard, is nearly finished.
Needs a couple of minor adjustments and some stand alone track. SR laid a length of track just for the crane to stand on.
Needs a couple of minor adjustments and some stand alone track. SR laid a length of track just for the crane to stand on.
Tuesday, 11 May 2010
ex-WD Crane
After days of hair tearing and frustration I eventually have the crane in game. I won't bore you with the problems, but I nearly gave up all together.
Anyway, here's the results of my labours.
I still have to sort out the physics for the wagons as they won't couple up and keep rolling off down the track of their own volition. I think that can wait until after I've done the static version of the crane, that used to stand at Lynton goods yard.
Anyway, here's the results of my labours.
I still have to sort out the physics for the wagons as they won't couple up and keep rolling off down the track of their own volition. I think that can wait until after I've done the static version of the crane, that used to stand at Lynton goods yard.
Wednesday, 28 April 2010
Match Truck
After a bit of a struggle with the blueprints, I have my first piece of rolling stock in the game. It is really annoying when the blueprints use the same word (geometry) to mean three different things.
Anyway, problem solved and here is the match truck that will be needed to go with the travelling crane.
Still needs alot of work. Rivetting detail to be added, and a LOD to take them away again when viewed at a distance. Tweak the textures which are too bright, as they always seem to be in RW when you use bump mapping!
Also, the wagon won't couple up yet which is disappointing, as I wanted to see how the wagon would work with the coupling on the bogie, rather than the body, as is the norm. Additionally the truck has a tendency to roll along the track for no apparent reason what-so-ever, but I've seen that in other people's wagons, so hopefully someone has resolved the problem?
Apart from that, I'm happy. :)
Anyway, problem solved and here is the match truck that will be needed to go with the travelling crane.
Still needs alot of work. Rivetting detail to be added, and a LOD to take them away again when viewed at a distance. Tweak the textures which are too bright, as they always seem to be in RW when you use bump mapping!
Also, the wagon won't couple up yet which is disappointing, as I wanted to see how the wagon would work with the coupling on the bogie, rather than the body, as is the norm. Additionally the truck has a tendency to roll along the track for no apparent reason what-so-ever, but I've seen that in other people's wagons, so hopefully someone has resolved the problem?
Apart from that, I'm happy. :)
Sunday, 25 April 2010
Pechot Bogie
Prior to WW1 the French army developed a 60cm gauge light railway system for logistics support for the front line troops, in particular the artillery. Under the supervision of General Pechot (in conjunction with Decauville) an entire light railway system for the French forces was developed. This system employed a standard range of locomotives and wagons, many of which carry the General's name in recognition of his effort. Both UK & USA created similar rolling stock but the Pechot name became the standard for the type of bogie used.
After the war there was a surplus of equipment which was disposed of as ex-WD stock. Two Chambers & Scott travelling cranes were purchased by Southern Region, from George Cohen & Sons, for use on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.
Fitted with outriggers, they were designed to lift 3ton at 15ft radius. There was little need for a breakdown crane on the L&B as most problems could be fixed with a jack, so one crane spent its life languishing in a head shunt at Pilton Yard, the other was stood on its own length of track at Lynton goods yard and used to handle heavy loads.
I have begun modelling these two, starting with the Pechot bogies. I still have to do the couplings and stencilshadows, before commencing the daunting task of texturing, but here's the progress so far.
As always, my thanks to Keith Vingoe for his support and the many L&B photos he has supplied for reference.
After the war there was a surplus of equipment which was disposed of as ex-WD stock. Two Chambers & Scott travelling cranes were purchased by Southern Region, from George Cohen & Sons, for use on the Lynton & Barnstaple Railway.
Fitted with outriggers, they were designed to lift 3ton at 15ft radius. There was little need for a breakdown crane on the L&B as most problems could be fixed with a jack, so one crane spent its life languishing in a head shunt at Pilton Yard, the other was stood on its own length of track at Lynton goods yard and used to handle heavy loads.
I have begun modelling these two, starting with the Pechot bogies. I still have to do the couplings and stencilshadows, before commencing the daunting task of texturing, but here's the progress so far.
As always, my thanks to Keith Vingoe for his support and the many L&B photos he has supplied for reference.
Wednesday, 21 April 2010
Bessie Gould
Have just finished a new vessel to go alongside the quay at Barnstaple.This is my version of the Bessie Gould.
The Bessie Gould was a ketch built in 1872 by William Westacott,in Barnstaple for Mr George Chugg. For several decades the Chugg family owned many of the vessels built and/or operating out of Barnstaple. He worked the boat for Mr William Gould, a local builder and timber merchant. I believe the boat was named after Mr Goulds chilean born wife, Elizabeth.
She would sail out to the Crow, Middle Ridges, Klondike and Zula sand/gravel banks where they would beach her at low tide and fill her hold with the sand/gravel. The crew would only have 2 or 3 hours between tides to load the gravel, which was loaded using a shovel carrying about 25lbs, which was thrown over the loader's shoulder into the hold.
The photograph shows her loading gravel on Crow Gravel Ridge in 1920 with l-r: George John Irwin, George Coates, Herbie Hartnoll, Shada Mullen, Tom Phillips, Geoprge Parkin and Harry Riddal. Seated: Frank Bowhill and Bertie Irwin. The dog was called Shep.
Floating off at high tide, she would return to Brunswick Wharf, which belonged to Mr Gould, and discharge the sand and gravel dredged from the nearby Taw Estuary.
Brunswick quay and Goulds warehouse on the River Yeo, are still preserved in Barnstaple. Mr Gould's residence, "Northgate House", stood between the warehouse in the picture and North Walk/Rolle St.
Until it closed in 1935, the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway track ran between the warehouse and Northgate House and crossed Rolle St by a gate controlled crossing.
This model was made with help from others and I would like to thank them for their contribution, in particular Captain Bazza.
The Bessie Gould was a ketch built in 1872 by William Westacott,in Barnstaple for Mr George Chugg. For several decades the Chugg family owned many of the vessels built and/or operating out of Barnstaple. He worked the boat for Mr William Gould, a local builder and timber merchant. I believe the boat was named after Mr Goulds chilean born wife, Elizabeth.
She would sail out to the Crow, Middle Ridges, Klondike and Zula sand/gravel banks where they would beach her at low tide and fill her hold with the sand/gravel. The crew would only have 2 or 3 hours between tides to load the gravel, which was loaded using a shovel carrying about 25lbs, which was thrown over the loader's shoulder into the hold.
The photograph shows her loading gravel on Crow Gravel Ridge in 1920 with l-r: George John Irwin, George Coates, Herbie Hartnoll, Shada Mullen, Tom Phillips, Geoprge Parkin and Harry Riddal. Seated: Frank Bowhill and Bertie Irwin. The dog was called Shep.
Floating off at high tide, she would return to Brunswick Wharf, which belonged to Mr Gould, and discharge the sand and gravel dredged from the nearby Taw Estuary.
Brunswick quay and Goulds warehouse on the River Yeo, are still preserved in Barnstaple. Mr Gould's residence, "Northgate House", stood between the warehouse in the picture and North Walk/Rolle St.
Until it closed in 1935, the Lynton and Barnstaple Railway track ran between the warehouse and Northgate House and crossed Rolle St by a gate controlled crossing.
This model was made with help from others and I would like to thank them for their contribution, in particular Captain Bazza.
Monday, 5 April 2010
Rolle Quay revisited
I'm pleased to say that I have finished the final warehouse for Rolle Quay and the quayside now awaits Gary's magic touch to finish off roads, yards and track etc.
Sunday, 4 April 2010
More clutter
Added a few more clutter items to my UKTS uploads.
These are all items I made from tutorials on the web when I was starting to learn 3ds Max. I particularly recommend the tutorials by Chris Tate. His website is here
These are all items I made from tutorials on the web when I was starting to learn 3ds Max. I particularly recommend the tutorials by Chris Tate. His website is here
Saturday, 3 April 2010
Railworks Clutter
Everyone uses the default oil drums on their route and it is becoming repetative...
..so I decided to try out my new photoshop elements 8 and add a little variety.
These have just been uploaded to UKTS. They are higher poly count than the default drums in order to give a smoother appearance, but still not too high as I have used normal maps and shading to create the ribbed effect.
..so I decided to try out my new photoshop elements 8 and add a little variety.
These have just been uploaded to UKTS. They are higher poly count than the default drums in order to give a smoother appearance, but still not too high as I have used normal maps and shading to create the ribbed effect.
Sunday, 21 March 2010
Rolle Quay grows
Added a few more assets to Rolle Quay. Hope to finish here in a couple of weeks then Gary can work his magic with the roads, quayside and other non-building objects.
Tuesday, 9 March 2010
Stanbury & Son
Taken a while but, at last, I have finished Stanbury & Son. A flour mill on Rolle Quay it is the first building you see as you leave Barnstaple Town Station and appears in several portraits and photos of the line. Such an iconic building had to be prototypically modelled (as well as I could, at least).
Started in 3DCanvas and finished in 3ds Max its my first major model in the new software and I'm reasonably pleased.
Started in 3DCanvas and finished in 3ds Max its my first major model in the new software and I'm reasonably pleased.
Thursday, 4 March 2010
3ds Max
I am now the proud owner of 3ds max 2010 and I am trying to learn how to use it. I think its actually harder trying to change modelling software, than it would be if I was starting from scratch. Having developed a set of skills for 3DCanvas I now have to unlearn them and develop a new set for 3ds max. Its especially difficult at the present, as I want to continue development for the L&B, so I find I'm jumping from one modelling tool to the other as my skills aren't yet good enough to model exclusively in 3ds max.
I will persevere and with the help of RSDerek's tutorials on the Art of Railworks blog plus the many other tutorials on the web, I hope I will get there.
Anyway, here's a glimpse of my first 3ds max model for Railworks..a sack of coal!
I will persevere and with the help of RSDerek's tutorials on the Art of Railworks blog plus the many other tutorials on the web, I hope I will get there.
Anyway, here's a glimpse of my first 3ds max model for Railworks..a sack of coal!
Over the Leat
Just completed a block of buildings to cover the area over the Leat from Pilton Yard. Thought it would be easy to do a few low poly models with textures UVMapped on them, but proved to be a little more difficult than I thought! Ended up unwrapping them all.
Here they are in the route.
And this is a view of the original.
Here they are in the route.
And this is a view of the original.
Friday, 19 February 2010
Steam workings
Whilst working on the Rolle Quay buildings I came across this picture of W.Dallings premises, with three steam lorries parked outside.
Couldn't resist the challenge, so a new vehicle arrives for the L&B route.
Couldn't resist the challenge, so a new vehicle arrives for the L&B route.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)