winterize.pdf

Trainz Feature

Winterizing a Trainz Layout Using

TrainzObjectz

By Brian Eckard

D o you have a favorite layout that you would like to transform into a winter themed

layout? Have you found foliage that would look great on your layout, but you

simply donÓt want to put the time into replacing all those trees? Fortunately, we

can easily transform layouts in Trainz using a great utility application called TrainzObjectz .

This application performs all sorts of housekeeping chores for Trainz . You can use this

application to organize all of your Trainz assets. It allows you to easily replace objects in

maps, and you can use it to fix problems with assets. It also allows you to easily change

your Trainz Options so that you can tweak Trainz to run well on your system, and modify

your keyboard shortcuts.

Winterizing a Trainz Layout

- 1 -

February 12, 2006

Using TrainzObjectz

Before we start, open Trainz Surveyor and load the route that you

want to winterize. For this article we will be modifying the Turtle

Creek Br layout. Save the layout to be modified with a new name;

for example, Turtle Creek Br winter .

For our purposes, we will be able to make all of our changes in the

TrainzObjectz application. We will not need to go into Surveyor to

swap objects. When making a winterized version of a layout we do

not want to move the position of any of the scenery objects. We

also want to change the ground textures to look like snow, and the

track so that it appears to have snow on it. Fortunately, Trainz

comes with track that has snow on it. There are also ground

textures available that represent snow. The foliage and buildings,

however, are severely lacking for North American layouts. This

means we will have to explore the Trainz Download Station (DLS)

and Internet to see if we can find suitable buildings and foliage

with snow, or foliage that looks like it is winter (e.g., trees with no

leaves).

The layout we will transform into a winter scene is my Turtle Creek

Br layout . It is a small layout that is based off of a track design

that I found in Model Railroader .

The structures on it are default objects in TRS 2004 . The trees are

the English Trees available for download at the TrainzObjectz site

( http://www.trainzobjectz.co.uk ) . That is also where you can

download the most recent version of the TrainzObjectz program.

Make sure that you have downloaded the English Elm tree in both

the spring/summer and winter versions. The track on the layout is

the default single wood tie track available in TRS 2004 . All of the

ground textures are the default textures available in TRS 2004 . The

layout is available for download in the DLS.

Since the structures do not have winter versions, we will over look

the fact that they will not have snow on them when we have

finished our winter scene. I think you will find that even with that

one issue we can still come up with a convincing winter scene that

is fun to drive your trains in.

After you have downloaded the layout and scenery items, use

TrainzObjectz to analyze the layout map. It will tell you if you are

missing any objects. If you are, download the missing assets and

install them before proceeding.

We will first place the snow on the ground. This will be

accomplished by replacing the existing ground textures with the

snow textures. In TrainzObjectz , follow these steps to replace the

textures:

Procedure

Winterizing a Trainz Layout

- 2 -

February 12, 2006

Using TrainzObjectz

1. Select the Map tab.

2. Load the layout map using the drop down list to select the

map.

3. Scroll down the map listing and locate each ground texture.

4. For each ground texture:

Highlight the texture name

Point at it with the cursor and right click the mouse.

5. Select Replace object in map .

Winterizing a Trainz Layout

- 3 -

February 12, 2006

Using TrainzObjectz

A dialog will appear asking if you want to back up the map.

It is advisable to back up the map before you replace any

objects.

Click Yes and a backup copy will be saved in the

World/Custom/Map folder for the layout. Click No to bypass

saving a back up file.

A dialog will appear asking you to select an object from

either the Custom or Built in objects tabs. Click the OK

button.

6. Click on the Built In Object tab.

7. Locate the ALPS Snowground texture and select it by

clicking on it.

8. Press F7 to replace the texture.

A dialog appears confirming that the object was replaced.

Winterizing a Trainz Layout

- 4 -

February 12, 2006

Using TrainzObjectz

9. Repeat these steps for each ground texture.

Now that we have snow on the ground, we have to get snow on the

tracks. Follow these steps to replace the track:

1. On our map, locate the track object ( 1_track_wood_US ).

2. Highlight the track object name.

3. Point at it with the cursor and right click the mouse.

4. Select Replace object in map .

A dialog will appear asking you to select an object from

either the Custom or Built in objects tabs. Click the OK

button.

5. Click on the Built In Object tab.

6. Locate the Snowtrack object and select it by clicking on it.

7. Press F7 to replace the object.

A dialog appears confirming that the object was replaced.

We now have snow on the ground and snow on the tracks. Now we

have to replace the trees and shrubs with their winter versions.

Follow these steps to replace all of the scenery objects with their

winter versions:

1. On our map, locate the scenery object.

2. Highlight the object name.

3. Point at it with the cursor and right click the mouse.

4. Select Replace object in map .

A dialog will appear asking you to select an object from

either the Custom or Built in objects tabs. Click the OK

button.

5. Click on the Built In Object tab.

6. Locate the object and select it by clicking on it.

7. Press F7 to replace the object.

A dialog appears confirming that the object was replaced.

Repeat these steps until all of the scenery objects have

been replaced with their winter versions. We have now

successfully created our snow scene by replacing the track,

ground textures, and scenery objects. All that is left to do is

place some rolling stock on the layout and drive around in

our winter scene. Close the TrainzObjectz tool and start up

Trainz . At the main menu select Surveyor .

1. On the Surveyor main menu locate our layout and load it.

2. Select the Edit Session option.

3. Under the Start up option, select light snow and periodic.

Winterizing a Trainz Layout

- 5 -

February 12, 2006

Using TrainzObjectz

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