Wsherrick, this too happens on all my games. Any user-created locomotives have glowing lines around them at night. During the day they are fine. All CtC and regular locomotives are normal.
It's not really a big deal, but it would be interesting to find out what is causing this.
Rolling Stock skinning ideas
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proudcanadian
- Conductor
- Posts: 250
- Joined: Wed Mar 07, 2007 7:01 pm
- Location: Sault Ste. Marie, ON, Canada
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I don't drive a dogsled to work, I don't live in an igloo, and we're the SECOND LARGEST COUNTRY ON EARTH!!!
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I know what causes it, but it is a pain to rectify.
Basically, it is because of how the game uses the alpha channel, in the skins that paint the sides of the cars and locos. Normally, the alpha channel is used only for levels of transparency. But in RRT3, transparency is all or nothing; any portion of the image where the alpha channel value is between 0 and 100% is treated as if it is to be lighted at night, and fully opaque. The windows that glow on a passenger car are just regular windows that have been set to about a 70% "transparency" in the alpha channel.
The other factor is that the game uses multiple skins for each car, usually an "A", "B", "C", "D", "E", and sometimes more versions of the skin file. Each iteration of the skin is half as large as the first in each direction, so they step down from 1024x1024 to 512x512 to 256x256, etc. The game swaps out these versions of the skins based on how close you are zoomed in; you only see the A skin when you are right at trackside; most of the time you're seeing a C or D skin while zoomed out. So, to create a skin, you have to resize it and save it to all these versions.
The problem is, each time you resize the skin, you end up with some blurring of the alpha channel around the edges of a transparent area, and this creates a few pixels of half-transparent outline that the game end up treating the same way that it does the glowing car windows. I think, though I've not confirmed it, that if you use the "User Skinning Tools" and only provide a single "A" skin for a locomotive, the utility will automatically create all the other iterations... but without exercising any control over the alpha channel, thus producing this glowing halo.
The way to work around it, I have found, is to do all the resizing manually, and take the time to clean up the alpha channel between each resizing. This is tedious, and I've noticed that I don't always get every last semi-transparent pixel, though I'm getting better at it. My method is to create the A version which will have an accurate Alpha channel, then resize it down, add a layer in my image editor, select all of the transparent pixels in the original layer, invert the selection, then (on the new layer) fill in the selection with a solid color, usually black. By placing that black-and-clear "silhouette" layer on bottom, it will underlay all of the edge pixels which had become semi-transparent during the resizing; each edge pixel will just look darker. Then I can save the "B" version, and then resize again and do the same thing all over; you do have to erase the silhouette and recreate it at each stage, though, because the silhouette will develop semi-transparent edge pixels as well when the image gets resized. Of course, some of the locos and cars do have windows that are supposed to glow, and for these you will need to erase the black silhouette wherever it underlays those windows or lights, so that they stay semi-transparent.
This may be more info than you were hoping to get, but I wanted to share what I have learned so far and explain a bit of my technique. Who knows... there might be an easier solution out there!
Basically, it is because of how the game uses the alpha channel, in the skins that paint the sides of the cars and locos. Normally, the alpha channel is used only for levels of transparency. But in RRT3, transparency is all or nothing; any portion of the image where the alpha channel value is between 0 and 100% is treated as if it is to be lighted at night, and fully opaque. The windows that glow on a passenger car are just regular windows that have been set to about a 70% "transparency" in the alpha channel.
The other factor is that the game uses multiple skins for each car, usually an "A", "B", "C", "D", "E", and sometimes more versions of the skin file. Each iteration of the skin is half as large as the first in each direction, so they step down from 1024x1024 to 512x512 to 256x256, etc. The game swaps out these versions of the skins based on how close you are zoomed in; you only see the A skin when you are right at trackside; most of the time you're seeing a C or D skin while zoomed out. So, to create a skin, you have to resize it and save it to all these versions.
The problem is, each time you resize the skin, you end up with some blurring of the alpha channel around the edges of a transparent area, and this creates a few pixels of half-transparent outline that the game end up treating the same way that it does the glowing car windows. I think, though I've not confirmed it, that if you use the "User Skinning Tools" and only provide a single "A" skin for a locomotive, the utility will automatically create all the other iterations... but without exercising any control over the alpha channel, thus producing this glowing halo.
The way to work around it, I have found, is to do all the resizing manually, and take the time to clean up the alpha channel between each resizing. This is tedious, and I've noticed that I don't always get every last semi-transparent pixel, though I'm getting better at it. My method is to create the A version which will have an accurate Alpha channel, then resize it down, add a layer in my image editor, select all of the transparent pixels in the original layer, invert the selection, then (on the new layer) fill in the selection with a solid color, usually black. By placing that black-and-clear "silhouette" layer on bottom, it will underlay all of the edge pixels which had become semi-transparent during the resizing; each edge pixel will just look darker. Then I can save the "B" version, and then resize again and do the same thing all over; you do have to erase the silhouette and recreate it at each stage, though, because the silhouette will develop semi-transparent edge pixels as well when the image gets resized. Of course, some of the locos and cars do have windows that are supposed to glow, and for these you will need to erase the black silhouette wherever it underlays those windows or lights, so that they stay semi-transparent.
This may be more info than you were hoping to get, but I wanted to share what I have learned so far and explain a bit of my technique. Who knows... there might be an easier solution out there!
=Winchester, Paston & Portsmouth=
====== We Provide Pride! ======
====== We Provide Pride! ======
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I have created a How-To Guide!
http://wpandp.com/CarModHowTo.html
If maybe there is someone out there who thinks they want to try doing the same things I am doing (not you, Bombardiere, you've got too much going on already!
), please take a look at this online guide. I know it isn't thoroughly complete; it's a summary of the things I have learned, a lot of it based on the groundwork laid by Bomber, Pjay, and Milo, plus a study of some of the skinning work others have done. Of course, some of it I had to learn for myself, and so rather than leave you all to face the same challenges, I wanted to collect what I knew into a teachable package.
Get ready for some bigger developments, too! I am successfully operating the game with extra passenger car eras, such that after 1970 my D-era silver passenger coaches turn into Amtrak cars. The potential here is enormous, and I am envisioning a much more significant overhaul to the game. However, it would be GREAT if I could hand of some portion of it to another eager modder. So, go scrutinize my how-to guide as well as the cars that I have already made available, and let me know if you want to take on some of the challenge of redefining all the freight cars in RRT3! The reward for doing so is a more realistic game, and the glory of being a recognized game modder...
Yeah, that's right, I said "glory"...
http://wpandp.com/CarModHowTo.html
If maybe there is someone out there who thinks they want to try doing the same things I am doing (not you, Bombardiere, you've got too much going on already!
), please take a look at this online guide. I know it isn't thoroughly complete; it's a summary of the things I have learned, a lot of it based on the groundwork laid by Bomber, Pjay, and Milo, plus a study of some of the skinning work others have done. Of course, some of it I had to learn for myself, and so rather than leave you all to face the same challenges, I wanted to collect what I knew into a teachable package.Get ready for some bigger developments, too! I am successfully operating the game with extra passenger car eras, such that after 1970 my D-era silver passenger coaches turn into Amtrak cars. The potential here is enormous, and I am envisioning a much more significant overhaul to the game. However, it would be GREAT if I could hand of some portion of it to another eager modder. So, go scrutinize my how-to guide as well as the cars that I have already made available, and let me know if you want to take on some of the challenge of redefining all the freight cars in RRT3! The reward for doing so is a more realistic game, and the glory of being a recognized game modder...
Yeah, that's right, I said "glory"...
=Winchester, Paston & Portsmouth=
====== We Provide Pride! ======
====== We Provide Pride! ======
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I bundled all three cars (Passenger, Mail, and Diner) into one download because I felt that people wouldn't want to go halfway on their railroad's "varnish". So, get ready for a BIG download; this one weighs in at almost 20 megabytes!
What do you get for your trouble?
The proof-of-concept, never been done before (as far as I know), car mod that introduces several transitional car models to make the evolution of the railcars happen far more gradually, as well as provide greater visual variety! You get matching express train sets - Pennsy heavyweights for your K-4 Pacifics, silver streamliners for your F-3's, and now, you even get AMTRAK trains starting in the 1970's!
These are all treated as if they were new, unique cars, so you can readily revert to the originals by replacing the CTY and CAR files that I tell you to BACKUP in the ReadMe. Give it a try! What have you got to lose?
(enough spiel. Seriously, this is the culmination of a LOT of work, and I know that I'm still not totally finished, so I reserve the right to update files in the near future. But this "beta" version is very playable, and I'd like to get your feedback.)
Enjoy!
What do you get for your trouble?
The proof-of-concept, never been done before (as far as I know), car mod that introduces several transitional car models to make the evolution of the railcars happen far more gradually, as well as provide greater visual variety! You get matching express train sets - Pennsy heavyweights for your K-4 Pacifics, silver streamliners for your F-3's, and now, you even get AMTRAK trains starting in the 1970's!
These are all treated as if they were new, unique cars, so you can readily revert to the originals by replacing the CTY and CAR files that I tell you to BACKUP in the ReadMe. Give it a try! What have you got to lose?
(enough spiel. Seriously, this is the culmination of a LOT of work, and I know that I'm still not totally finished, so I reserve the right to update files in the near future. But this "beta" version is very playable, and I'd like to get your feedback.)
Enjoy!
=Winchester, Paston & Portsmouth=
====== We Provide Pride! ======
====== We Provide Pride! ======
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I just downloaded it. Took about 10 seconds. 
I'll check them out and get back to ya'.
I'll check them out and get back to ya'.
Hawk
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I am happy to report that the download for the passenger coaches went well and everything works properly. I checked out all the eras of cars and they are simply excellent. I know these and the other additions you have made took many hours of trial and error on your part. My hat is off to you.
The J class Northern looks really good with the tuscan red coaches too.
The J class Northern looks really good with the tuscan red coaches too.
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
Oh Crap!!!! 
I got wrapped up in working on this forum I forgot to check out the new skins.
I got wrapped up in working on this forum I forgot to check out the new skins.
Hawk
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I knew you were swamped with other things, Hawk, so I was waiting to remind you about them. Maybe by the time you get a round tuit, I'll have another batch ready - I've been working on the iron ore hopper lately...
=Winchester, Paston & Portsmouth=
====== We Provide Pride! ======
====== We Provide Pride! ======
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
Looks like I'm going to be busy with this forum stuff a bit longer too. Now I need to do work on the forum icons so new posts show up better.
I might be able to squeeze in some time today to check them out though.
BTW! How's the new brick background look?
I might be able to squeeze in some time today to check them out though.
BTW! How's the new brick background look?
Hawk
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I love the brick background! Truth is, though, I was recently (like in the past week) browsing around, probably trolling for good shots of rail cars for my skins, and I came across another page which uses the exact same background. I thought to myself, wow, that's cool, I wonder if I should consider using it for a web page of my own...
So, you beat me TUIT!
So, you beat me TUIT!
=Winchester, Paston & Portsmouth=
====== We Provide Pride! ======
====== We Provide Pride! ======
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I have some other brick textures you're welcome to use if you'd like.
Let me know if you're interested and I'll get some screenshots together.
'Course it doesn't matter to me if you use this one.
I also have some good wood textures.
Edit 1: Here's something else that might interest you.
http://www.accustudio.com/exchange/textures.php?dir=
This site has a link at each texture where you can see how it looks tiled.
Very handy for web site work.
Let me know if you're interested and I'll get some screenshots together.
'Course it doesn't matter to me if you use this one.
I also have some good wood textures.
Edit 1: Here's something else that might interest you.
http://www.accustudio.com/exchange/textures.php?dir=
This site has a link at each texture where you can see how it looks tiled.
Very handy for web site work.
Hawk
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
Just a quick question about the new passenger cars. In 1910 when the wooden coaches are replaced by the steel cars, the mail cars in my game are still wood. Is this intentional or did I do something wrong?
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
The overlap is intentional - this is mentioned in the readme. My intention is to have lots of overlap, esp. in the freight cars, so that average car weight increases gradually over time, rather than all at once. This should make the late steam more worthwhile, as a bought-in-1905 ten wheeler or atlantic would struggle to pull the heavier cars in 1940. For passenger varnish, this isn't as critical and matched trainsets are maybe preferable, but I wanted to do a little bit of overlap!
=Winchester, Paston & Portsmouth=
====== We Provide Pride! ======
====== We Provide Pride! ======
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
That's what I get for skimming quickly over the read me file. I think the overlap idea is good because that is what happens in real life. New cars slowly replace the old cars over time and any train from any era would have a mixed consist of such cars. Keep up the superb work.
Custom Hoppers Available!
MORE CARS ARE AVAILABLE!
Have you ever noticed that the default Hopper car in RRT3, which gets used to carry bauxite, coal, and iron, has a stencil on the side which clearly forbids such loads? "Ballast Loading Only" it says, or something to that effect. Isn't that irritating?
Well, the remedy is here!
http://wpandp.com/CarModding.html
Three new cars, one each for bauxite, coal, and iron, for you to download and install. These cars have some extra transitional models introduced, so that your train sets evolve more gradually. And of course, they are based on authentic North American prototypes, at least as far as possible. As a die-hard Norfolk & Western fan, I've made all the coal hoppers to resemble N&W cars, but the other cars represent a variety of roads.
I've got more to come later, so keep checking back to my site. I'll beg Hawk to host them here, as well; Hawk has yet to add the Passenger car sets to his page, but you can get that at my site too.
Enjoy!
Have you ever noticed that the default Hopper car in RRT3, which gets used to carry bauxite, coal, and iron, has a stencil on the side which clearly forbids such loads? "Ballast Loading Only" it says, or something to that effect. Isn't that irritating?
Well, the remedy is here!
http://wpandp.com/CarModding.html
Three new cars, one each for bauxite, coal, and iron, for you to download and install. These cars have some extra transitional models introduced, so that your train sets evolve more gradually. And of course, they are based on authentic North American prototypes, at least as far as possible. As a die-hard Norfolk & Western fan, I've made all the coal hoppers to resemble N&W cars, but the other cars represent a variety of roads.
I've got more to come later, so keep checking back to my site. I'll beg Hawk to host them here, as well; Hawk has yet to add the Passenger car sets to his page, but you can get that at my site too.
Enjoy!
=Winchester, Paston & Portsmouth=
====== We Provide Pride! ======
====== We Provide Pride! ======
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Ace of Spades
- Hobo
- Posts: 41
- Joined: Sat Oct 27, 2007 10:34 am
- Location: Hamburg, PA
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I just got a chance to check out the passenger & mail cars. Great improvement over the plain old blue & white ones!! I'll need to check out the hopper cars soon. If I had any skinning abilities, I'd mod the coal hoppers with some nice READING speed lettering .
Great job on these
.
.Great job on these
.Re: Custom Hoppers Available!
It seems to me that I was waiting on something, but I honestly don't remember what now.WPandP wrote:Hawk has yet to add the Passenger car sets to his page, but you can get that at my site too.
I guess I dropped the ball on this one.
I'll get them both added tomorrow.
Hawk
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
It's okay I think you've been overhauling the web-site or something like that lately.
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
I probably just got wrapped up in this new forum software and the editing and forgot. LOL!
Hawk
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bombardiere
- Dispatcher
- Posts: 425
- Joined: Tue Nov 14, 2006 9:07 am
- Location: Turku, Finland
Re: Rolling Stock skinning ideas
Great work WP&P. I am happy to pass modding torch to you.
Hey, Have you solved car weight issue? Have you been able to give new weights to the cars? If so how?
Hey, Have you solved car weight issue? Have you been able to give new weights to the cars? If so how?