Switchblade, a two in one coaster!

Hey all, so I've got a little park that I've been building to basically use as a testing ground to learn how to do various things in NL2 like 3ds, textures, scripting, etc. I'm still working on BGW, but I wanted a "test" park to learn how to do more complicated things, so that I'm not continuing to clutter up BGW with "learning curve" moments.

Anyhow, my most recent concept for something to put into my fictional park was interesting enough to me I thought I'd share with you, get feedback, and maybe release it as a stand alone coaster.

Basically, after seeing BTR running trains backwards this past season, I was inspired to make a new-age B&M invert that had trains running frontwards AND backwards, simultaneous. It features a duel loading station, where the left side only runs trains backwards, and the right side only runs trains forwards. I plan to write a script that will allow the computer to differentiate the two, but for now it just cycles "every other" to keep the right train going to the right space. I thought it was a fun idea, because it would give one circuit tons of re-ride value! I'm working hard to build a very realistic layout, one that you might see B&M use today. I'm also taking the second half of the ride "back to the roots" of old school B&M inverts, with a tight, high-G vertical loop like you might find on the mid-90s coasters, while incorporating some elements in the first half of the ride you might find on a coaster like Banshee. There's 7 inversions total: A dive loop, a zero-G role, a pretzel-loop, a second dive loop, a vertical loop, and a wing-over.

I plan to use this project to take on more ambitious 3ds, such as a station and maintenance bay area, as well as a ride view area. It might take me a while to release it, because I'm still very new to 3ds. I'm hoping that what I learn from these small side projects will eventually streamline and increase the quality of work done on my BGW recreations!

So here's the first trouble I've run into:

The backwards train while sitting in the station does not line up with thegates

It looks like the coaster lines up 1 row off. Not sure if this is something considered a bug by the NL2 team, or if this is something I might need to use scripting to fix.

I'm not overly thrilled with the dive loop shape. It really "feels" like a B&M dive loop when ridden, but it just looks... off

Another angle

The pretzle loop looks off from some angles

But looks really nice from others

I have no idea if I'm going to continue to call this a dive loop, but it sure is a fun way to get into an inversion!

The zero G role looks better externally than it feels. It's SO CLOSE to what I want, but it just paces a bit odd.

Excellent idea. I wish they did this on the real BtR's, like all of them. So much reride value is right. Most of the shaping looks wrong. I love the color scheme!

Yeah, I'm really having a lot of trouble getting the B&M look. It REALLY feels like a B&M, but it doesn't look like one. Hopefully I'll figure it out along the process, but if anyone has any pointers, it'd be appreciated.

I'm liking this project.

I love those colors wish I got them for skyraider but to late now

Feel free to use them! This project is mostly about hashing out some anticipated problems on Alpengeist before I get moving on BGW 1997 as 1992 is wrapping up. I just figured it'd be fun to try a custom B&M layout first, and I'm glad I did. I'm riding the struggle bus right now on this project lol.

[TTD03]

This looks awesome!