Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby Nobkins » Mon Apr 07, 2014 10:48 pm

Introduction
A series of videos showing me creating OHLE using the new TS2014 system. The advantages of the new system are demonstrated in these nice videos from DPSimulation:
http://www.youtube.com/v/pRuCG7VByGw
http://www.youtube.com/v/_XZ_rBXTtmk
The OHLE will be used in the Trans Pennine route. Currently in the route OHLE created from individual parts is greatly increasing our tile asset count in complex areas such as Leeds station. I hope that the new system will help me reduce that asset count.

Note:
The source files will be available as a download at the bottom of this post once the tutorial is complete.

Here is the complete playlist of videos (in order).

Part 1 Laying out The Model
  1. Do lots of research to get all the measurements you need
  2. I chose to try a new method where I position a vertex at all the locations where I may need to "snap" objects to. These vertex's were all in a "markers" object and will not be exporter with the final model.
http://www.youtube.com/v/OZHEfzUGw9c

Part 2 Fleshing out the Model
Now that the markers are all positioned we begin fleshing out the model. I started making videos for this but they were all very very long with lots of umm's ahhs and hold on I made a mistake. So instead I have made short(er) clips of each element as I create it. This means I get to practice the specific component before hand so you get a video with fewer mistakes.

Here are the part 2 sections so far:
  1. Part 2a Intro
    http://www.youtube.com/v/1Erm03wnIhc

  2. Part 2b Stanchion
    http://www.youtube.com/v/oO4ijTxRuis

  3. Part 2c Base
    http://www.youtube.com/v/84c16h6Aw70

  4. Part 2d Top Tube
    http://www.youtube.com/v/dlFdjeNog-Q

  5. Part 2e Top Bolt
    http://www.youtube.com/v/S70B1gHH1TQ

  6. Part 2f Top Insulator
    http://www.youtube.com/v/UUDyhtLrAW8

  7. Part 2g Top Bracket
    http://www.youtube.com/v/KpKGR8RHXUw

  8. Part 2h Top to Diagonal Tube Bracket
    http://www.youtube.com/v/Rl4pdveDljg

  9. Part 2i Top to Diagonal Tube Bracket
    http://www.youtube.com/v/SE4DnTD3oSA

Part 3: Unwrapping and applying smooth / flat shaders
I have jumped ahead with making the model as I think you have seen enough of that. This video covers unwrapping and applying the smooth or flat shader.

http://www.youtube.com/v/waIU-BL1fwQ

Part 4: Materials, Shaders, Textures, Blueprints and Exporting
I have pushed ahead with getting the model exported. This video covers:
  • Setting up the materials and texture slots in Blender
  • Converting the textures to ACE format
  • Setting up the txt files needed for the Blender Exporter to work
  • Creating a blueprint for the item using Blueprint Editor
  • Previewing the object
  • Testing the object in game

http://www.youtube.com/v/XqQkTn34IPE
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Re: Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby cjbarnes5294 » Thu Apr 10, 2014 10:46 pm

This is fantastic, Jim, many thanks for taking the time to do these videos. I'm not planning on making OHLE myself, but these will be really useful for helping me get to grips with Blender for sure (I often make a good start, but then I leave it for a few months and come back having forgotten everything...).

Chris
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Re: Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby Chris Baker » Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:48 pm

Ive sat and watched these to try and see if i should move over to blender.
It looks a lot more complicated than crafter but very impressive and easier to work with once you get used to it. There seems to be a lot more options in how you can manipulate things .
I guess its like most things once you get used to it , it becomes easy.
Great Video's Jim, I understood most of it for a noob like me so well done :)

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Re: Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby Nobkins » Fri Apr 11, 2014 4:51 pm

No problem Chris. Blender is a little daunting to start with as it does not seem easy at all to just make something basic. Once you get to grips with the basic key commands etc it starts to make a lot of sense. I recommend starting with something like a forward facing tree as this is essentially a quad (rectangle plane) and selection box.

Handily I have made a video on this!
viewtopic.php?f=12&t=109

Once you get something like that in game and working you can move on to greater heights!
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Re: Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby Nobkins » Mon Apr 14, 2014 1:39 am

For those interested I have just uploaded Part 2h Top to Diagonal Tube Bracket. It is just short of 30 mins but this is quite a complex bracket. I only mention it in this post as editing the 2nd post above does not alert you to the changes in the form of "new post".

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Re: Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby Nobkins » Thu May 01, 2014 12:27 pm

Part 2i has just been uploaded (well actually in the process right now. Adding the bottom insulator and creating a bracket. Soon I'll be on to mapping it out etc (I hope). It is going to take another 30mins to upload so if you can't watch it just come back in a little while.

I have added it to the bottom of the "Part two" post above:
posting.php?mode=reply&f=12&t=135#pr324

Please do give feedback. Is it worth creating videos that just watch me (very amateurishly) model in blender? Would it be better to just show the finished model and then move onto how to assign shaders etc, unwrap etc.
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Re: Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby Nobkins » Sat May 17, 2014 11:47 pm

I had enough I am afraid of building whilst filming (as it takes 2 to 3 times longer when you are an amateur like me and trying to avoid filming lots of umm's, ahhs, and errors).

So I have finished the first model but have not started on unwrapping and setting the model up. The next video will be of unwrapping.

Here are some screen grabs to show you what I have done so far:
3714
3715
3716
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Re: Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby AndiS » Sun May 18, 2014 10:51 am

I might be an outdated user but for me, a series of screenshots where you circle the important stuff, with an explanation of what is going on in the caption beats any video. And it is 10 times faster and easier to produce.

I find myself pausing any video all the time and then I must rewind to hear the explanation. And the resolution is not all that great in a video - or the bandwidth it takes is hilarious. This is a general observation, not aimed at your videos in particular.
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Re: Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby Nobkins » Sun May 18, 2014 12:58 pm

Good point Andy. I think I am going to make short videos of a single stage. So rather than 2 hours of me unwrapping the whole thing. I will pick one item, the insulators for example) and unwrap it.

Might try the screenshot method next time.

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Re: Creating OHLE using the New TS2014 Method

Postby MikeTrams » Mon May 19, 2014 1:31 pm

Cool tutorials Jim! I'm glad you haven't used a flatten/auto unwrap feature. That tool was devised in hell. :evil:

Will be cool to watch your progress. :)

Cheers,
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