ATSF GP39-2 physics

[geepster775]

Looking over the new physics in the exemplar GP39-2, I noticed that the lighting alternatives had

Condition_Front_Ditch
Condition_Front_Main_Bright_DPU
Condition_Front_Main_Dim_DPU
Condition_Front_Sphere_Bright_Ditch
Condition_Front_Sphere_Bright_NoDitch
Condition_Front_Sphere_Dim
Condition_Rear_Main_Bright_DPU
Condition_Rear_Main_Dim_DPU


Is there a way to make the sphere conditional based upon coupling status, reverser status, or loco direction? In other words, the options listed for sphere are defined to show only off the front when the unit is rear-coupled. If I would wye the unit and recouple, placing the rear headlight on the 'leading' end, can the rear headlight then project the sphere of light? In other words, there really isn't any "Condition_Rear_Sphere_........" options in that list. Is that an oversight, or is it still just not possible under the revamped lighting code?

[slipperman]

Hi geepster775,
Wouldn't the normal 'reverse cab' option show the sphere correctly? It does with UK locos having a cab at each end. The UK Class 20 locos have a single cab and can be driven in either direction. Two .cvf files are required, one for each direction (*.cvf and *_rv.cvf), with <Ctrl+E> switching between them. After all, the 'driver' needs to be looking in the correct direction, doesn't he? This has been standard since the issue of MSTS Bin.

Of course, if you're referring to AI trains, that's a different matter!

Cheers,
Ged

[pschlik]

The whole conditions include files are purely for organization. If new conditions are added or some clever new combination leads to better results, then just the one include file with the conditions in it can be changed to propagate the changes to hundreds of lighting configurations.

No special behavior is enabled or disabled by having include files. Cones and point lights can use the same sets of conditions, so you can make light cones do whatever. The lack of a rear light cone is a choice of implementation; I don't want to deal with the nonsense and unpredictability of trying to use more than one light cone.

[wmuzeke]

Is there a way to make the sphere conditional based upon coupling status, reverser status, or loco direction? In other words, the options listed for sphere are defined to show only off the front when the unit is rear-coupled. If I would wye the unit and recouple, placing the rear headlight on the 'leading' end, can the rear headlight then project the sphere of light? In other words, there really isn't any "Condition_Rear_Sphere_........" options in that list. Is that an oversight, or is it still just not possible under the revamped lighting code?

When updating a locomotive's lighting for Open Rails, I normally add spheres on both ends, unless it's something like an E or F unit. It is useful in switching or if you just want to run something in reverse.

My normal way goes something like this:

        Light    (
            comment( Front Sphere of Lights Bright )
            Type        ( 1 )
            Conditions    (
                    Headlight ( 3 )
                    Unit ( 2 )
                    Reverser ( 5 )
                    )
            Cycle        ( 0 )
            FadeIn    ( 0.5 )
            FadeOut    ( 0.5 )
            States    (    1
                State    (
                    Duration ( 0.0 )
                    LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
                    Position ( 0.00 4.41 8.83 )
                    Transition ( 0 )
                    Radius ( 300.0 )
                    Angle ( 45.0 )
                    )
                )
            )
        Light    (
            comment( Rear Sphere of Lights Bright )
            Type        ( 1 )
            Conditions    (
                    Headlight ( 3 )
                    Unit ( 3 )
                    Reverser ( 2 )
                    )
            Cycle        ( 0 )
            FadeIn    ( 0.5 )
            FadeOut    ( 0.5 )
            States    (    1
                State    (
                    Duration ( 0.0 )
                    LightColour ( FFFFFFCA )
                    Position ( 0.00 4.00 -10.16 )
                    Azimuth ( -90 -180 90 )
                    Transition ( 0 )
                    Radius ( 300.0 )
                    Angle ( 45.0 )
                    )
                )
            )​

This makes the sphere based on the reverser position, as well as the position of the locomotive in the train (Unit 2 or 3). Note that you need to have the rear sphere's Azimuth point backwards (-180 or 180) and have it shining from the back of the locomotive - in this case -10.16.

[bp2]

I re painted it and used the ENG file from the SLI BNSF GP38 2318

[bp2]

Another