Debate - Using Tools vs No Tools

Yeah, i dont see any point in creating 100 vetxeses

[gouldy]

don't see much of a point in using the tools at all Matt, negates the entire point of NoLimits in my opinion but hey.

Gouldy -- think of it this way:

If I gave you some lumber and basic tool supplies and told you to build a house I am sure that eventually you could figure out a way to put one up.

Now, if I gave you some additional tools (like an electric nail gun, concrete mixer, etc.) wouldn't you be able to build a house easier and faster?

Same principle - it is always your choice of how to get it done, but why work harder when you can work smarter? Just a thought to chew on.

Well i would probaly find that way alot harder TConwell, i mean i would standing there like 'wtf? Do i have to use this concrete here as morta...man that will make the roof heavy, i sure could go for a cup of English tea and scones whilst drapped in my 50ft British flag and wearing White and Red facepaint, whilst chasing foxes on bareback whilst beating up some chavs'

[gouldy]

I tell you one thing, I would be more satisfied with myself if I built it without using the tools. I would probably use the tools because its quicker and whatever, BUT again your example is from real life where lazyness and stuff comes into it. NL is a simulation or game, not real life. I just think that someone who make a perfect track without using tools deserves more respect than someone making a perfect track WITH tools, I don't see how it could be any different to that. I know you lot keep saying "it invovles skill to use tools" yada yada yada, I know it bloodywell does, stop saying it, what I also know, is that it takes MORE skill to do the same thing WITHOUT tools.

Gouldy - Ok - we have reached a stage of equal footing here where we both understand one another. No harm no foul. Next topic please?



Edge: "whilst chasing foxes" ... I thought that was outlawed now? You are such a rebel. LOL!

You guys are lucky to be able to use elementary, I'm not even in geometry yet. Heck, I don't know what half of the functions on my TI-30 do.

Well, I do hope to see an increase in people using math though, I enjoy smooth, pump-free tracks.

I've started work on book that will tell you how to use the tools to build a coaster. I hope to have the first chapter (and maybe the second) online tonight. As for math, beyond basic addition and subtraction (and maybe a little basic algebra for the ADVANCED stuff) there isn't much needed. Anyone with at least, say, an 8th grade education should have no problem with it.

Originally posted by coasteragent99

You guys are lucky to be able to use elementary, I'm not even in geometry yet. Heck, I don't know what half of the functions on my TI-30 do.

Well, I do hope to see an increase in people using math though, I enjoy smooth, pump-free tracks.

You don't really need to know any math to get some use out of elementry. [8D]

The first chapter is now available for download at http://cg2.org/book

Please take a look and let me know what you think.

The pdf file doesn't load...

[Kev]

Originally posted by Fornication Nation

Originally posted by coasteragent99

You guys are lucky to be able to use elementary, I'm not even in geometry yet. Heck, I don't know what half of the functions on my TI-30 do.

Well, I do hope to see an increase in people using math though, I enjoy smooth, pump-free tracks.

You don't really need to know any math to get some use out of elementry. [8D]

I just figured that out yesterday. I've gotten about 2500 feet of GCI track built so far without ever touching a node. I also figured out that using tools doesn't mean that some problems like bumps, pumps, and jerks will magically disappear. [:p] There appears to be a steep learning curve with the tools. Anyways, this is something I wanted to try...not because I think it is the best way, but just to see if I could actually do it.

Here's a pic of what I have so far.



Image Insert:

76.43 KB

It loads fine here. Try right-clicking and doing a save as. Your browser probably isn't setup to handle PDF files correctly. You'll need Acrobat Reader installed (or some other PDF viewer)

I just tried saving it and when I tried to open it in Acrobat it says the file is damaged and could not be repaired.

Hrrm, that's weird. Like I said, I've tried it multiple times here and it works fine. I'd be happy to e-mail a copy to you, if you'd like.

Works fine for me too.

Hmm, I guess I'll try installing Acrobat again. I hate pdf files, lol.

A good chunk of the second chapter is now available as well. It's almost 20 pages now!

http://cg2.org/book/

I just installed Acrobat again, but I guess my computer doesn't like pdf files anymore

The only thing I want to know is, how do you make hills and such in elementry and connect them together smoothly?

Just make sure that the radius and tilt of the end of the first element is equal to the beggining of the second part.
Example-You make a valley of a hill by making a 100 degree curve with 30 degree leadin and leadout and it ends with a radius of 20. The hill crest should then start with a radius of 20 and you would be best off giving it a similar lead in degree as well. hope this is correct for hills, as I'm not 100 percent sure.
For tilt, this only applies to the more complex elements that are not neccessarily ending straight.
Example- You have a curving drop. At the bottom it is not perfectly straight in all directions however, as it is slightly tilted. Open AHG, check the end slope stats, then make whatever element youd like in elementary. Then take the element into the Purgatorium and rotate by the neccessary axes to the amounts shown in the AHG. This will ensure that the second element starts going in the exact same direction as the first one ended going in. Hopefully Buster will post here to clarify moreso as he seems to be very good at explainging these kinds of things.

Oh sweet, thanks for the explanation. I never thought about using the AHG to get that data.

Great book Tyler. So far its looking very good! Good job.

Thanks. I'm gonna try to get a new chapter up every few days.

[Brtnboarder495]

Ya nice intro you got going. I am still a bit dissapointed that the tools are still only for PC's though. Thanks for making the Track unpackager and the calculator, but there are certainly more tools that could be created.

I think the mac people forget the simulation was completely thought up and made on the PC for years before the Mac was considered.

All of the tools created for NL too are by regular people, not of the dev team. So you cant expect tools to come out for the mac unless they own macs, which, percentage wise, isnt that many.