Getting started with open rails.

[halbert5150]

So im new to openrails and or MSTS and I have some questions. I have always been an auran trainz kind of guy because I enjoy creating my own content and then importing it into the game just as much as driving in game. So far this is what I have been able to do.

I have openrails installed and running correctly.
I have my old old copy of MSTS installed and openrails is able to use the MSTS content.
I have downloaded a route from the trainsim file repository and installed it and it shows up in openrails correctly.

I have not yet downloaded any content type other then a route.
I have not yet played in a multiplayer session.
So I still have a couple of things to do before I feel entirely setup with openrails, but I also have some other things Im wondering.

What MSTS content is a must have when it comes to openrails?

What are the most popular multiplayer routes?

In my MSTS I noticed a locomotive that came with the game that doesn't work right (I think its the gp35 or 40) did MS ever publish a fix for this? Or is there a replacement?

Im very experienced with Blender and I have some back catalog Blender items I would like to get working in openrails, but I have not been able to find out if this is possible. I have found all kinds of forum posts for people looking to do the same and some replies that it can be done, but no definitive information on how it is done. Can Blender models be imported into openrails?

Back in the hayday of trainz I was part of a content creation group of other like minded train geeks, are there such groups forming around creating content for openrails?

Thanks in advance, Hal

Oh, here are some links to WIP shots for stuff im working on now.

http://imageshack.com/a/img513/5176/ren1q.png

http://imageshack.com/a/img827/2329/ren1f.png

http://imageshack.com/a/img689/1983/scr1u.jpg

[rabidsasquatch7]

I can help you a little with the basic stuff.

Here's the update for MSTS - http://msts.steam4me.net/MSTS_Updates/

Xtracks, required for most add-on routes - http://msts.steam4me.net/routes/xtracks.html

Newroads, also required for most add-on routes - http://msts.steam4me.net/routes/newroads.html

Seeing as you have already downloaded a route you may already have these, but just making sure ha ha.

[drelyea]

Hi,

Right now, ORTS uses MSTS content. Export your work as an MSTS model, make the Trainset files and folders, add them to the MSTS Trainset folder. Make consists in an MSTS train builder (MSTS AE, RouteRiter, Conbuilder are programs to do this with.)

Static objects, export as an MSTS model. Shapes in the Route's shapes folder, (.s and .sd files) Textures converted to .ace in the Route's texture folder. ORTS will support .dds, but the static models will have to be placed using the MSTS Route editor, which does not support .dds. Additionally, the texture(s) should be a square (64x64 pixel, 128x128, 256x256, 512x512. Most graphics cards will handle a 1024 square, some will handle a 2048 square. This also applies to the textures on the Locomotive.

I would love to have that building in Scranton, Dunmore, Port Jervis, Mauch Chunk, Allentown, Bethlehem, Bangor, Paterson etc etc.

Doug Relyea