Caliber

Caliber

This is going to be the project I want to work on in order to understand how to use elementary and how to make stuff work in that software; even though I know very little. I want the ride to be butter smooth, completely realistic, and -overall- PUMP FREE. Because all my previous rides have been riddled with pumping, and thats probably because I just handbuild everything; and handbuilding just doesnt click for me[V].

So far the ride just stands with the basics: station, pre-launch brake, and the launch, which goes to 60mph (subject to change). I will do most of the work on my own. But I would really like some suggestions on what to do so as to make this learning process easier; because I really, REALLY want to break through that mediocre track-designing barrier.

Ive set up a project page that i will post screenies on: http://www.nolimitsdevcenter.net/p2261

wish me luck [:)]

UPDATE- I've begun work on creating elements in elementary and deciding what makes the cut to be put in and what doesnt. So far I have a simple Parabolic Arc (aka airtime hill), and a Cobra Roll. Just one question came up. In elementary, is there a way to create leadouts for elements? or should I just rotate the leadins in purg. and create leadouts that way. Other than that question, I'm so far getting along pretty nicely [:D][:D]

If you want to produce an airtime hill with leadins/outs use Redunzelizer's Bowfu_Parhat formula. If you use the H:SAK to create your elements, then you can have leadins/outs, so it's often better to use that than the default elementary wizards.

Yea i used the Bowfu_parhat for the parabola; which actually worked really well . I was just wondering about leadins/leadouts for inversions and such.

EDIT: Wing-over, care to offer a suggestion on where i should take the ride next?[:)]

Like I said, use the H:SAK to make the inversions (Except cobras, they're really tricky) and you can have leadins on them.

And I'd suggest a turn or an overbank next, going under the hill, then maybe another inversion.

For your first coaster with elementary, I would suggest a non-looping ride. Get the gist of the program (turns, hills, lead-ins/outs) and then later you can try your hand at inversions. I find inversions can be extremely frustrating (especially cobra's. Just my 2 cents:)

UPDATE- Thanks for the advice y'all. I've continued work on the ride and found that it comes to me easier than i thought. I've already gotten alot of trackwork done, and the Inversion count is now up 4. There also another airtime hill in the mix, and more on the way. Parts 2 & 3 of the ride are done, and I plan to make 2 more sections of track before I close it off.

more screens too: http://www.NoLimitsDevCenter.net/p2261

so, how 'bout that leadout of death? [devilish]

UPDATE: I'm almost finished with the track, I have a basic idea of what I want to happen in the end. But one more problem arose. Whenever I use the bowfu_parhat formula for hills, theres always a point where the sloping of the hill stops, and theres basically straight track. Which is a problem when im trying to create smooth, parabolic, airtime-filled hills. Is there anyway to correct this?

One more thing, and this is a question for Wing-over. You say that I dont need leadins/leadouts for the bowfu_parhat formula, so does that mean that they are already in the element? If so what values do I need to put in to get the proper leadins.

Oh and for those who were wondering, I took out the Leadout of death, simply because it had to high a fluctuation of Gs for me to desire.

I'm not Wing-Over but I can solve your problem and answer your question. First of all, I'll go through the bowfu_parhat formula and the staple values:

Heartline Dist (m) = 1.1 (If you're going to use elementary set this to 0)

Speed at Top (m/s) = 10 (Make sure the speed is in m/s)

Vert. G's at Top Apex = -0.1 (for a perfect airtime hill in elementary, set to 0.1 or 0.2, as the parabola will get smaller when run through the AHG)

Angle of Slope at Begin = 45 (self-explanitory)

**Length of Slope at Begin** = 6 (Problem #1 - This value is what produces the straight section, set to 0 and the straight will be removed)

**Rel. Angle of Lead-In (deg)** = 25 (I believe Wing-Over meant that with this formula you don't need separate lead-ins/outs. This is the variable where you specify the angle of the lead-in.)

Rel. Angle of Lead-Out (deg) = 25 (Angle of Lead-out)

Angle of Slope at End = -45 (Self-explanatory)

Reverse YL-Behaviour = 0 (The only variable that I don't really know the function of)

ZX-Radius (m, 0 = straight!) = 0 (This variable will "wrap" your parabola around a specified radius. If you set this to 20, the entire parabola wil wrap around a 20m radius. This is great for lateral airtime, however, you cannot specify the turning angle, you must experiment with different variables. Eg. a radius of 5 may have the parabola do a complete 360, where a value of 10 will have the parabola turn 180, 20m = 90, etc.)

Elevate Whole Element (m) = 10 (Self-explanitory)

I hope this answered your questions

Hooray the world is saved! Not really, but that did answer my question. Thanks for the help.

Also, I've finished the track and could use a couple testers if anyone wants to sign up. I'll be posting some more screens of the last 2 parts; but meanwhile does anyone have tips about supporting?

Beat me to it, bigboy. Just to clarify, Reverse YL behavior plots the parabola backwards when set to 1, 0 plots it normally.

Uh, since it's Intamin, just make sure to line up all of your connections. For the actual supports it'self, I would just look for pictures of elements that are similar to yours.

UPDATE: supportwork has begun. And I can say without ego, this will be my best supporting job when its finished. However, if I do cage supports (see screens) for one half-loop of a cobra roll should I do it for the other half-loop?

I've also posted 3 more screens showing tyhe supports I've done so far, and I'd say im about...15% done.

http://www.nolimitsdevcenter.net/p2261

The supports on the cobra should definitely be symetrical, it'll just look really wierd if one side's completely different to the other.

but it was soo tedious...::sigh:: ok ill get it done. By the way I did change the colors back. The previous ones just felt too bizarre

Looks really cool. I actually liked the old colors...

wat the sea green and red? well i couldnt really find a support color, and i was kinda going for a mecha feel for the ride, so i think that grey and cobalt blue works best.

If i have enough vouches i will change it back however

Keep it grey/blue. I like it. It looks like a smooth ride. I'll test. coastercrazy1216@comcast.net

sent, let me know what you think por favor.

Anyone else? [:)]

Ok, send it over. Wing-Over@hotmail.co.uk

Sure, bigboy_1234567@hotmail.com

yoshi1086@msn.com

ok, all of y'all should have it. Yay so many ppl wanna test, I feel important! [:D]

Currently writing up my reply, I should have ready quite soon.

If you still want more people to test it i wouldn't mind having a go myself so if you do just send it over and i will tell you what i think straight away. robbieshenton12@gmail.com