Information: how to create 3D models

[spacek531]

This issue (until it can be a wiki page) will collect tips and tricks that I have learned about modeling for Locomotion.

2025-02-16 The plugin treats +x as the forward direction, not +y like Blender tries to make you do.

2025-02-16 I have found 1:2.5 scale (40%) to be a good scale for this plugin. So 1 meter in blender 2.79 is 2.5 real life meters.

2025-02-16 I use modern blender (specifically 4.2.3) to model the rolling stock, then import them into 2.79 using .fbx as the file transfer medium. Don't bother with texturing while modeling, just set up the material slots how you think you will need them and optionally color them so you know which color goes where. The final materials will be created in 2.79.

2025-02-16 You can configure units in modern blender to scale things based on measurements from a scale model. The Unit Scale parameter in the Scene tab is the measure of how many measurement units per base unit you want. The equation to calculate this for a scale model is measurement units/base unit * model scale.

Measurement unit	Base unit	Model Scale	Unit Scale
mm	ft	1:87	3.503
mm	m	1:87	11.49
mm	ft	1:76.2	4
mm	m	1:76.2	13.12

2025-02-16 One tile in game is 32 x 32 x 32 pixels. Because of the camera angle, a pixel is not a perfect cube.

Unit	Scale	Base Unit	Width	Height
Tile	1:2.5	m	4	3.266
Tile	1:1	m	10	8.165
Tile	1:1	ft	32.8	26.77
Tile	1:1	ft	32' 9 11/16"	26' 9 3/4"
Pixel	1:2.5	m	0.125	0.102
Pixel	1:1	m	0.3125	0.255
Pixel	1:1	ft	1	0.816
Pixel	1:1	ft	1'	9 3/4"

2025-02-16 You can add more lights to illuminate specific details. Blender 2.79 even allows you to specify if the light only affects diffuse or specular lighting. The latter is very useful for picking out small details. Be careful not to add too many lights, because it can make the model look washed out.

2025-02-16 Use bevels to add edge highlights

2025-02-16 The longest you want any single vehicle body to be is just under 2 tiles, as the game has a sprite width limit of 128 pixels, at least for trains and trucks. In 1:1 scale, 2 tiles is 20m long or 65.6ft. I recommend going no longer than 62ft for the main body of the vehicle.

TODO: talk about these topics

• Setting up materials
• Setting up load sprites