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  #1  
Old 10-02-2008, 06:10 PM
BatwingFan SFA's Avatar
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Any good track building tutorials anywhere?

I recently purchased the full version of NL a few days ago but so far havn't even attempted to create any custom tracks & was wondering if there are any track building or NL editor tutorials available on the net & if so where would they be found?
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Old 10-03-2008, 03:22 PM
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Tutorial #1 - Read the included help file.

Tutorial #2 - Try something, see what you're comfortable with and what you need to work on. Specific questions are easiest to answer.

Tutorial #3 - If you're comfortable with 3-dimensional equations and parametric equations, download the NL "Elementary" tool.

Tutorial #4 - If you want to design the forces of your ride, download the "FVD" equations for "Elementary"

Tutorial #5 - Check out CoasterSims.com for a LOT of beginner to advanced trackwork. Read the forums there as many people have probably asked the same questions you need answered.

Tutorial #6 - Practice, experiment, practice some more.

Personally, before I ever open NL, I have dozens of notes, drawings, and equations worked out for the design of my ride. I like making sure it works before I spend weeks designing it.
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Old 10-03-2008, 10:25 PM
BatwingFan SFA's Avatar
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I'm a member over at coastersims so perhaps I could get some more info there.I heard about the elementary & purg programs on their forums but so far havn't been able to find out where to download them at as of yet.

I tried doing a basic station & lift but after dragging out the station segment & then selecting the next segment(the one that was to become my lift) instead of simply connecting to the down track end of the station & extending forward the segment doubled back on itself & attempted to connect to the up track,or return segment of the station forming a closed loop.
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Old 10-03-2008, 10:36 PM
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Personally, I've always thought the best way to learn something like No Limits is to click around and see what you can do. Playing around will help you learn the ropes without reading long, drawn out and over exaggerated tutorials. What you can also do is open up a pre-made track and fool around with it. At least thats how I learned No Limits.

However, there are tons of tutorials at the No Limits website if you need some resources.
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Old 10-04-2008, 03:18 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BatwingFan SFA View Post
I tried doing a basic station & lift but after dragging out the station segment & then selecting the next segment(the one that was to become my lift) instead of simply connecting to the down track end of the station & extending forward the segment doubled back on itself & attempted to connect to the up track,or return segment of the station forming a closed loop.
You have to remember you're designing in 3-space. The most control you ever have over the position of each vertex is in whichever 2-space plane you're working in. The program won't ever try to connect things except "Add vertex" unless you manually tell it to "connect" in which case it will take the last vertex and add it to the "first" vertex.

I would suggest trying different things in top view only. Try setting up layouts and see if you can get things to work in that view before adding more. Enough practice and you'll be able to visualize where things are going to be before you click "add vertex"
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Old 10-04-2008, 02:26 PM
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When I add vertexes I do them viewing each dimension at a top. I place it top view, observe it from side view, then go into 3D to make sure its in the right spot. To double check you didn't go where you didn't want to in 3D, reverse out: Go from 3D, to Side View, to Top View.
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Old 10-05-2008, 03:53 PM
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So that's one of the main problems right there,working in side,or profile view.

So far I still havn't found any links to the two programs that I mentioned...I really would like to find out where to get the elementary & purg programs if they're any help in making the editor a bit more user friendly.
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Old 10-06-2008, 11:49 AM
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Here you go. NLDC - The Tool Box

Man I haven't touched NL in about a year or two.
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Old 10-06-2008, 06:15 PM
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^Thanks for the links,I'll take a look at some of the tools & see what's best to use.

How do you add downloaded tracks to the list in the sim? I recently downloaded a track & opened it in the editor & have ridden it(via the simulator option in the editor) but it doesn't appear on the list when I open the game in simulator mode
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