Tool suggestions

1. Cartexture maker. Simply to make cartextures more accurate. You load a prog that shows a 3d representation of the car, then select a part, then load a png for it, then when you're done, the prog puts the textures together into one. It's faster, more accurate, and good for n00bs. (or those who don't happen to have photoshop)

2. Footer placer. You know how those footers for steel coasters look so bland? This is the solution for it. It lets you texture footers and automatically places them at the footers of the track supports.

3. Support converter. Converts prefab supports to custom ones. (for editing, etc)

4. Catwalk maker. Just like tunnel maker, it creates a 3ds file, but this time it has to generate railing, catwalk attachments to track, and stairs. You can select textures and colors of what you want on them, and even some shapes of railings, etc. (obviously should be 3d of course, this tool is to be an alternative to the floating paperlike catwalks that are misspositioned in the game.)

5. Station generator. Uses 3ds of course. Organizes safety lanes properly, and generally uses 3d railings (of course). The prog should be able to create pathways and queue's too.

6. Some sort of texture renamer for a 3ds (there should be some floating around but I didn't find any after googling) that can rename object texture refrerences (and enable alpha blend mode) since stubborn anim8or won't allow for png's (and their alpha blending)

Yes, I know all of these are very well possible to do (except for the prefab to custom, but you can add support nodes to them), these tools are to simply speed things up.

I would love those tools.

I suggest you start by coding the footerreplacer. Seems to be the easiest of the bunch. Good luck.

Buster.

Tyler, add these to your list.

Actually, from what I understand, the NL file format has qutie a bit of customization available for footers (size, shape, etc). I need to get up with with Tia on this...

I like everything except from the station generator. Good luck if you are going to attempt to code any of this! Also Tyler, keep us posted, we always need tools for our rides!

I dont like the station one. That takes away the skill of making 3ds. I do like the other suggestions though.

The skill of making 3ds? Making 3ds is more of an art form than a skill. Plus not everyone has access to the programs or, more importantly, the compacity to learn them. (yes, im talking about the free and cheap ones too)

I definatly dont think its wrong to have something that does this for us.
Why? Because no one would want anyone judging not only someones ride, but also their 3ds. And frankly, I know of only a handful of people who create 3ds that I would consider to be quality and truely improve the look and feel of a ride.

These tools are also to save time for those who know how to make 3ds, it just makes things quicker. I spent the whole day yesterday making a catwalk for a 400ft lift.

Actually, some more interesting station making ability (or options) would really spiff up some of the bland-ness that happens in that area from time to time -- especially for those who don't want to spend hours on "node placement".

[hyyyper]

something off the topic, how do u create cartexures, just load them into a paint-like program or what do i have to do to make them...just wondering

Load up the appropriate cartexture from the NL directory in a paint program and go ahead and do what you want to it [;)] Just don't overwrite the original one.

I would be nice if the next NL update had some decent stations and walkways and stuff and do something with those tacky looking catwalks. SM's catwalks are the shizzle, not these waffer thin floating ones that come with NL, so much for realism

I don't know why people have such a problem with the catwalks, thats just nitpicking. I hardly notice them when riding a coaster.

I agree wtih edge. Out of HR, NL, and SM, NL has the worst catwalks and stations, HR with the best stations, and SM with the best catwalks.

Both NL and SM are stuck to shabby looking 2d trees. They should add in 3d ones like HR has. They should probably make it part of an LOD function though, distant trees need to be 2d or framerates will suffer. Also, NL and SM should use the sprites for the 2d trees like in HR. The movement is just locked to the y axis so it doesn't look retarded when you go right above it. (just enable 2d trees in RCT3 and see what I mean)

Oh yeah, IF, I find the catwalks pretty noticeable, they stand out so much. (same with the paper flat station railings and trees)

Let's hope NL2 uses a more advanced graphics system, and that these issues are resolved. NL seems to be the most behind on gfx (except for SM, but SM2's coming out and they say it'll use DX9, the modern kickass graphics of today)

You notice them because you are looking to nitpick. Its first nature for most people here. No suprise.

If it bothers you so much, fire up a 3d modeler and get to work


Most of you fail to remember that NL was made for fun, for a single person (Ole himself) and was probably coded pre-2001 since I doubt he just "whipped" it up seeing as though it was released in Nov 2001. Graphics were not so "kick ass" back then. I think Half Life was in its prime and while it still looked good, was actually primitive by todays standards.

So lets just move away from the stupid "NL needs this, NL needs that." because truthfully, in my eyes, if all of this bothers you all OH so much, stop playing it. Its not worth your time if it agitates you so much

[Dirk_Ermen]

i don't really care about the catwalks, sometimes on duel coasters i'd think the railing should be removed on the middle parts but the stairs should stay there. But also y using a 3d modeler while you can do also create some nice catwalks with the nl supports. It only will take some creativity...

Originally posted by Real

You notice them because you are looking to nitpick. Its first nature for most people here. No suprise.

If it bothers you so much, fire up a 3d modeler and get to work


Most of you fail to remember that NL was made for fun, for a single person (Ole himself) and was probably coded pre-2001 since I doubt he just "whipped" it up seeing as though it was released in Nov 2001. Graphics were not so "kick ass" back then. I think Half Life was in its prime and while it still looked good, was actually primitive by todays standards.

So lets just move away from the stupid "NL needs this, NL needs that." because truthfully, in my eyes, if all of this bothers you all OH so much, stop playing it. Its not worth your time if it agitates you so much

What's wrong with merely suggesting? [:D]

Seriously, I simply want the best to come out of NL, even if it doesn't sound like it. (after all, I did spend long hours making catwalks)

For the older games' graphics, half life's was a bit better than NL's, NL just lacked a few textures which 1.3 and 1.5 added.

Now back to my custom catwalks.