NL2 editor wishlist

Mac vs Windows NL:

There are a few things about the Windows version that I wish the Mac version had, namely a few keyboard shortcuts that have to be selected with menu clicks on the Mac version.

The thing about the Mac version that I think is superior to the Windows version is the overall look and feel of it, especially the Sim. The colors seem more vibrant, the choice of fonts and such is a little classier looking, and riding the coasters on a 20" LCD monitor just looks fantastic. Granted, I could probably get a new video card for the PC, buy a new monitor, and tweak the color scale and get close... but why would I, when the Mac already does it?

In the editor, much is the same, although the buttons look better on OS X than they do in Windows (just as EVERY program's buttons look better on OS X, thanks to the Aqua interface). There is one quirk, however, in that there is no "Right View" button. There's a keyboard shortcut to see the coaster from the right side, but why there's no button for it is beyond me. No big loss, just a curiosity.

The differences between the two versions are minimal, at least what I've noticed of them. Perhaps others can point out more.

I think the MAIN difference is that I don't have to use a PC to play NL. Generally speaking, anything that I can do on the Mac is better than the same program on the PC, just because I'm not forced to use the PC.

...and I used to be a Mac hater!

I see. Thanks minicoopertx.

i think that there should be a built in editor to make car textures and 3d objects right in the program itself.

^I think having a built object creator is asking a bit much from something that is supposed to focus on roller coasters, but perhaps a few different stations would be nice.

I have not added my suggestions to this topic yet. Here it goes.

Hi. My name is Mathew and have some suggestions for the next version of your coaster simulator. Please read on.

I've noticed with your simulation you seem to lack a lot of configuration options for the editor and the simulator. Here are some suggestions which came up with.

* Change Mass of Train.

A great feature of the simulation would be able to change the mass of the coaster cars. This would add a lot more realistic nostalgia to the sim.

* Change Track Friction.

Being able to change the friction for the track and cars will make it easier for people to make a accurate recreation of a roller coaster.

* Adjust Spine Width/Height, Rail Radius, Tie Gap/Width.

This feature again would only be useful to those making recreations. For those who also want to make a fantasy coaster can also take advantage of this feature.

* Change Interpolation.

When you build a coaster the rails have a set smoothness, but with this feature you can decrease the amount of sides the rails have and how they are divided. People with slower computer can use this feature to speed things up.

* Profiles.

Theres going to be different profiles for different computer types. For instance if you had a pretty bad spec computer you can choose the "Basic" profile for those who need maximum performance and for the other people who want a near render quality finish you could add a "High Quality" profile. Here is a mock up of what profiles there can be.

- Basic
800 x 600 Windowed Mode.
16 Bit Colors.
No Shadows.
No Anti Aliasing.

- Average
? x ? (Your resolution) Full Screen Mode.
32 Bit Colors.
Shadows Enabled.
Realistic Lighting.
Anti Aliasing x 1.

- High Finish
? x ? (Your resolution) Full Screen Mode.
32 Bit Colors.
Shadows Enabled.
Best Lighting.
Anti Aliasing x 3.

That's only a rough idea of what can be done with this idea. I hope this gets included.


* Backdrop.

A nice feature would be to have a background in the editors view. Seeing a nice professional image behind the coaster would give it a professional look.

* Editor Preview Mode.

The ability to see the coaster fully modeled in the editor would be good as tunnel testing could be easily sped up this way.

* Radius Comb.

The radius comb has been included into the construction kit and I think of it to be like a smooth detector. I'm not sure if you've done this before but if you load a track into the Construction kit and slap on radius comb all the jerks and pumps become very clear. It will also help with placing pump free turns.

* Customizable Sounds.

Changing the sounds of certain things like the "Chain Lift Hill" and the "Brake Runs" Will add loads more atmosphere to the ride. For people who have sounds of a chain lift, they can replace the current sound and makes the ride more realistic. The current sounds have been computer generated (I can tell) and have no "proper" roller coaster feeling to them. Same with the brake runs. You don't hear the air pressure being released and that's probably the best noise you can get from a break run.

* More than 1 Coaster.

With more than 1 coaster in a scene a park could be made. This will also make it a ton easier for people to who want to make a dualing ride.

* Support Connectors.

The current support connects are not very good and need to be replaced. For instance, Buster has made his own support generator just so they can look good. Of course no one else has this program and it's unfair for him to have something that should be available to all of the coaster modelers.

* Quick Access Panel for the Simulator.

When in the simulator you might want to change a setting very quickly. Pressing a hot key button would slide out a professional tab with quick access to all the options. You could even replace the whole configuration panel with this idea but I think people would react badly to it.


Sadly, that's all I can think of right now. I'll be sure to get back to you with more ideas.

Regards

[coolbeans326]

...and I used to be a Mac hater

Same here, but then I tried OS X and it just blows everything out of the water. I still hate eveything pre OS X from mac, but they really made up for it with it. If I ever got a brand new computer, my next one would probably be a mac.


Also, I think it would be cool if they had a loading screen image like what they have for thier demos. Like if some one is loading a B&M floorless, a b&M floorless picture is on the load up screen, or w/e. You know, just make the loading more interesting than just a black screen and a loading bar...

An in-editor G-Force and speed reading, 4th Dimension Coaster, and a spinning car coaster, Flying coaster, Suspended Coaster, and Robo-Coasters.

Macs have superior graphics, but Windows has better programming, but hey, Linux is what smart people use!!

^No, I think that Mac OS is definitely better programmed.

Well, I want to have something to automatically calclate the G's on any given point on the ride, a far larger map, at least twice the size, realistic friction, a NON CONFUSING tutorial for any tools if they are included, that goes for terraformer, also. (Still don't know how to use it) The ability to save supports, like elements, and scale them up/down, etc. Also I would like an improved graphics, but not too much that it would murder the FPS on all but the best computers, like RCT3. More realistic lift sounds, not just 1 for all wood and 1 for all steel. A higher height limit, and a higher speed limit, auto smoother, so I and many other people can like me can REALLY focus on the "fun ness" of their designs, also an auto speed caculator, like my aformentioned auto G calculator, and something that displays the angle of descent/ascent, so I can know if I'm making an 89 or 90 degree angle, and the ability to make supports in 3d mode, and the ability to work at angles between the "left, right, front and back angles". For the coaster types, I would like the Robocoaster, B&M Flyer, the Unicoaster that had it's own demo, the Ball Coaster, the Maurer Sohne Xtended SC 2000, the X Car, the Zierer Tivoli Cars to make some kiddy coasters, a Mack Bobsled, and for that, a calculator of what angle the track must be for the car to stay in the track, also a Frequent Faller and an Arrow Suspended coaster. I know a legthy list, but I want a lot of stuff.

I doubt we will see a spinning coaster, or a Robo coaster, I'd like to see them, but they would be to hard to make, imagine trying to program them into NL...

[coolbeans326]

^ we're suppose to get a Gerstlaur spinning coaster in the next update, so we probably will get one.[;)] But also, I would not like to see a robo coaster either as it looks retarded, I prefer just getting the more popular coasters.

Originally posted by Woodie Man

^No, I think that Mac OS is definitely better programmed.

Stupid Unix... Link to the world.

Who cares a about Mac and Windows? Linux is where its at!

For speed, the mac is far inferior.

I wanna see more control so you can actually make your coaster act like you want it. IE, be able to control, place, and time brakes and "friction wheels" more precisely. Also I'd like a little more ease of use with views such as a 2d rotatable view so you can get a side view of segments built on angles.

[coolbeans326]

^ that would be cool, , where you can rotate around on an axis on the "2D panes" on any angle, that would help me, as well as other people, out a lot.

http://nldc.interfix.net/u684
[For owen jay...]

Why is this for me?

re: "Mac is better programmed" and "for speed Mac is inferior"

I'll have to agree that Mac OS X is far superior programming to Windows. I've had my iMac for almost a year now and it has crashed.. let's see... NEVER. It did freeze up ONCE, but it was an AOL problem. Unlike Windows, when a crappy program like AOL freezes up, the entire computer isn't rendered useless. No rebooting needed, no CTRL-ALT-DELETE move, just hit "force quit" on AOL and go back to what you were doing.

As for speed, it all depends on the system. My iMac completely blows my Pentium 4 PC out of the water on speed, but the PC is older. If you compare top-of-the-line systems from Apple and a PC manufacturer, I'd be surprised if the PC could even come close to the PowerMac quad. Two dual-core G5 processors with a 1.25GHz frontside bus, and liquid-cooled at that.

Still... even a super-fast, suped-up custom PC with all the latest gadgetry will STILL be bogged down by Windoze.

Originally posted by owen jay

http://nldc.interfix.net/u684
[For owen jay...]

Why is this for me?

You cried like a baby over his old sig.

I think rotatating in the editor would be a great tool.

Yea, there's got to be a 'save support structure' kinda thing. If not the entire conkit, then at least some basics like tilting and rotating. When you insert an element, it doesent have to sit on the exact angle it was saved as, mabey go in the direction of the previous node.
There absolutly must be in editor readings for speed and G's, the ability to pause and to switch cars and trains alike.
Animations would be preaty sick to, mabey with the ability to time them, like have pictures flash when the train passes. Also in the simulator, be able to trum off reflection on track that would be inside buildings. A comprehensivve AHG would also be nice[;)]

so when is this update supposed to be released?

^You people drive me so crazy. NL 2.0 update will be released in (correct me if I'm wrong) 2010.

[coolbeans326]

^ he said the latest. Chances are it will be release earlier, and besides, he has to start making the content before 2010 roll around.

I would like to be able to copy supports, that way if you are making MF supports you could do it much faster, and even re-size the copy of the supports.

[hyyyper]

Originally posted by Dragon Fly

I would like to be able to copy supports, that way if you are making MF supports you could do it much faster, and even re-size the copy of the supports.

MF supports are PIECE OF CAKE, it took me 1 hour to get the hill done of 105 meters