New Shape View Program Coming ..

[Snowman]

In addition to my track shape generator program, TrackWorks, I’m working on another program that is intended to become a replacement for Shape Viewer. Why a new Shape Viewer program? I hope that question is answered by the features included in this new program. I’m also asking the community for wanted features to add before release.

First, the program loads TGA, DDS, and ACE files without issue. Loading TGA files will help when working on a model if you do not yet have ACE files, and DDS support is, of course, important for Open Rails. Most features included in Shape Viewer will also be included in my program. The feel, in terms of use, will be very similar—if not identical—particularly regarding movement, but with improvements. Scrolling in and out using middle mouse wheel zooms in on model. Features can be hidden for a clutter-free workspace, which is great for screenshots as well as viewing. The idea is to make a familiar program like Shape Viewer but newer with newer features and abilities.

Also included will be a save feature that allows you to save your edits directly as a new model. Importing a horn, positioning it, and saving will be simple and efficient. This is especially useful if you frequently switch between the game and Shape Viewer to position objects. You will now be able to do it directly in the viewer and save on the fly.

These are just a few of the many features, and I know I’m not mentioning everything. If you have any suggestions, please feel free to share them.

Please note that the images are from a very early build, so lighting and other quirks are known and already being addressed. Thank you.

Image24.jpg Image25.jpg Image26.jpg Image27.jpg

[rdayt]

It's important to be able to reload alternative textures, night especially.

Randy

[wwhall]

Also to be able to load multiple OR Freight Anims when loading the viewer via an .eng file.

[bertwise]

i"d like to see missing textures show up more vividly, like has apparently been done in OR 1.6.

[kennyeaton]

Hi James,

How soon should we see this in the library?

Kenny

[Snowman]

It's important to be able to reload alternative textures, night especially.

Randy

This is already included in the program and functioning.

Also to be able to load multiple OR Freight Anims when loading the viewer via an .eng file.

This is very much going to be available!

i"d like to see missing textures show up more vividly, like has apparently been done in OR 1.6.

Agreed. I will look at how OR does this and see what I can do. I'll hopefully be adding other troubleshooting measures for textures as well.

Hi James,

How soon should we see this in the library?

Kenny

Hey Kenny! I'm hoping within the next month, or so. Before spring would be nice.

[kennyeaton]

That's great. I believe that I understood from one of the above comments that this one will open any shape regardless of the texture file, dds or ace?

How have y'all been up yonder? Doing purdy good on this end. Retirement for me begins on the 28th of this month, The 27th is my last day of "Eastbound and Down 18 Wheels a Rollin'". Looking forward to it.
Kenny

Untitled3.png

[qballbandit]

Thank you! Looking forward to seeing an improved object positioning tool that is easier with ability to save on the fly!

[Snowman]

That's great. I believe that I understood from one of the above comments that this one will open any shape regardless of the texture file, dds or ace?

How have y'all been up yonder? Doing purdy good on this end. Retirement for me begins on the 28th of this month, The 27th is my last day of "Eastbound and Down 18 Wheels a Rollin'". Looking forward to it.
Kenny

Yes, the above screens of the DDA40X is using .DDS textures. Actually that engine wont display in Shape Viewer as it throws a error 9.

Were doing good down this way. I was wonderin' if you ever retired or not. Good to see it's finally happenin' for you!

[rdayt]

One of the things I use Shapeviewer for, a lot, is exporting aces to bmp/tga.

Randy

[StormerDSR]

Editing data on the fly on compressed shapes like texture names, lod distance and more will be a huge and desired improvement. Long time ago these operations were possible with archibald, but now this tool does not work correctly with lot of compressed shapes.
I'm keeping my fingers crossed for you!

[pwillard]

I have a standalone EXE (python source) program that will convert an entire folder of ACE files to PNG (with ALPHA), if interested.

The key thing here is to keep our tools up to date, not just our content. And if we share the source code, which I do, we can keep them up to date.

[paulytechnic]

This is exciting news! I'm not sure if this is feasible or not, but would it be possible to have it show lights as defined by the ENG file, or is this purely for shape files only? It might be nice to have something to quickly confirm light position when tweaking values, rather than needing to load up in OR every time. Just a thought.

[EldoradoRailroad]

This is interesting news

I always thought it was too bad that the previous Shapeviewer was locked up tighter than a Diebold safe. Its author not active anymore, and no source code to update and/or improve.

For the love of Pete, I hope this has been created with open source in mind. You never know when the universe is going to take you away and some kind soul will pick up where you left off in your memory.

Steve

[Whatever2006]

The progress looks promising, I would use the new program when it does get released.