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API Macros...

Blood_Hawk23

Blood_Hawk23

Charter Member
API Macros... Train Tracks...

Hey All,

I'm trying to use some APIs. I want to get them into gmax. I either need to make them into sca files or bgls. The issue I'm having is they are of an older type so MCX doesn't work. If anyone would like to try you can get them here...

http://www.thefreeflightsite.com/FSRAIL.htm

I don't want to do all of them. Any the older ones that will work for WWI or WWII scenery.

If you have any ideas let me know.

'til Later,
John
 
Last edited:
Convert to SCA and edit.

I messed with the B00950u.bgl/B00950u.sca. The first object looks like this.

Area( B N50:07:18.21 E009:18:24.50 32 )
RefPoint( rel : 1.00 N50:07:18.21 E009:18:24.50
V1= 0 V2= 0 )
Points( 0
164 1 -40 ; 0
188 1 -24 ; 1
190 1 -11 ; 2
179 1 21 ; 3
172 1 32 ; 4
151 1 43 ; 5
65 1 49 ; 6
-66 1 41 ; 7
-155 1 56 ; 8
-178 1 46 ; 9
-187 1 29 ; 10
-189 1 -21 ; 11
-182 1 -39 ; 12
-159 1 -54 ; 13
-58 1 -61 ; 14
60 1 -45 ; 15
)
Bitmap( 256b2su1.bmp 0 0 0 0 )
Concave
Poly( m 0 32767 0 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

)
EndA

Change it to look like

ObjID( 429FAB60 11D4721F 5000DF91 4A44D104 )
LibObj(
PWR 0
SIZE 1
SCALE 1.000
TYPE 0
NAME "name" )
RefPoint( rel : 1.00 N50:07:18.21 E009:18:24.50
V1= 0 V2= 0 )
Points( 0
164 1 -40 ; 0
188 1 -24 ; 1
190 1 -11 ; 2
179 1 21 ; 3
172 1 32 ; 4
151 1 43 ; 5
65 1 49 ; 6
-66 1 41 ; 7
-155 1 56 ; 8
-178 1 46 ; 9
-187 1 29 ; 10
-189 1 -21 ; 11
-182 1 -39 ; 12
-159 1 -54 ; 13
-58 1 -61 ; 14
60 1 -45 ; 15
)
Bitmap( 256b2su1.bmp 0 0 0 0 )
Concave
Poly( m 0 32767 0 1
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15

)
EndA

than copy into a text file by its self and load that text file in MCX.

This dosen;t work for any thing that has RiverCont( with in it.
 
I'm having issues with it all. The sca files don't look right and I don't know enough about them to do anything with them.

so what am I adding?

just this?

ObjID( 429FAB60 11D4721F 5000DF91 4A44D104 )
LibObj(
PWR 0
SIZE 1
SCALE 1.000
TYPE 0
NAME "name" )
 
Forget the APIs...

After looking at the textures, I'm going to go a different direction. I've decided to make my own.

Here are a few that I've started.

attachment.php

Strait - Plus a med strait.

attachment.php

Extra Long strait - to try and save on items.

attachment.php

Curve - There is a left and right.

attachment.php

Long Curve - Again left and right.

I have a few other single tracks done. I'd like to do some double, triple, and Quad sections. I plan on making most of them damageable. I also plan on an end of line with barricade.

Do we need any at angles?

So its a start.

'til Later,
John
 

Attachments

  • Track-CurveA.jpg
    Track-CurveA.jpg
    28 KB · Views: 1
  • Track-LongCurve1.jpg
    Track-LongCurve1.jpg
    26.7 KB · Views: 1
  • Track-StraitA.jpg
    Track-StraitA.jpg
    26.7 KB · Views: 1
  • Track-XtraLongStraitA.jpg
    Track-XtraLongStraitA.jpg
    13.2 KB · Views: 1
The prob is that the racks won't conform to the ground.

Also do you have a DP for the Lancaster B Mk.I? I know you where making the weapons for it.
 
BH,
We posted about this back in May 2014. Yes, like you, I had a go at this, and came to the same conclusion that's it's like too much hard work for the end result!

The API's (macros) and the sca's are, as such, simpler/earlier forms of bgls both static and moving. And what you are doing by changing the header is to make it into a 'modern' bgl format that is recognisable by most progs.

TBH the easiest way would be to use CFS1 locos or make simple boxes, with engine /rolling stock texs (as most CFS1 stock is), even from strafing height you're not going to see hardly any detail. Then use one of the scenery creators to create an api. I don't think a moving bgl will work, as they're not like an api, so will not be able to animate a train over a long distance??

The way to get the track down would be to create track area bgl flattens, so it doesn't need to conform to the CFS2 world mesh. The track is the easy bit, so is the stock, it's the bl**dy movement of it all!! ha!

And again that old chestnut, will it badly affect FRs?

Great idea to get some life into CFS2, but is it reasonably do-able?

Cheers

Shessi
 
John,

I emailed you some textures you may or may not like, 2 emails.

I have been using the flattens on my latest project for the Bae Le rail yard in North Vietnam with great results.

John extended the length of the tracks for me so it is going much better now, rather than having to lay another track every 80 feet or so.

John,
You may consider making a section at about a 15 degree incline that could be used to gradually move up and down for long lengths of scenery.

Thanks again the the tracks,

Dave
 
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