View source for GPL Track Creating - The Beginners Guide Part 5

''Authored by the GPLEA''


===Adding Objects===
 
We've got out tex sorted, and lucky you - I supplied the neccessary textures (mips) you need. You have the other files ready? Let's add an object! 
  
Open the file you saved as "mytrack.tso". Tso = trackside objects. Now write this: 


'''# Trackside 'Sets': 1'''
 
'''Set List'''
 
'''[ 0]: 3, 51.0, 15.0, 0.0, 90.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, grand'''
 
'''0InfieldObject'''
 
'''0OutfieldObject'''

 
'''Save the file!!'''

 
What we're doing here is to tell trk23dow (the compiler program) to add an object next to the track, the object is called "grand" (which is a 3D object included in the zip for your convenience). What we're saying (this is simplifying it a LOT, but this is a newbie tuto, so be happy!) is:
 
'''Trackside 'Sets':1''' = the numbers of objects in total added to the track
 
'''Set List''' = here it comes Mr.program
 
'''[0]: 3,''' = Object number 1 (is 0 in computer terms!), 3 means it's an object we intend to tell you the location of in normal terms, which are:
 
'''51.0''' = Distance from the startline
 
'''15.0''' = Distance from the centre of the track (positive = left, negative = right)
 
'''0,0''' = It's on the ground! 12.0 would have put it 12 metres up in the sky.
 
'''90.0''' = Rotate the object 90 degrees around the centre axis horizontally (this is decided by the object, and you'll do a trial and error job here in the future!)
 
'''0.0''' = Don't tilt it (Rotate the other way, vertically)
 
'''0.0''' = Er..
 
'''1.0''' = Er...

 
''Got that? Good!'' 

Now if you want another object, just add a new line, which would make it look like this:
 
'''# Trackside 'Sets': 2'''
 
'''Set List'''
 
'''[ 0]: 3, 51.0, 15.0, 0.0, 90.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, grand'''

'''[ 1]: 3, 51.0, 15.0, 0.0, 90.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, anotherobject'''
 
'''0InfieldObject'''
 
'''0OutfieldObject'''
 
  
As for the Infield & Outfield objects, read about it somewhere else on this web site when you feel ready! A few points to note:
 
- Don't position an object across traces or walls: It will clip (muuuahahahhaa!!). This means it will vanish/blow up/ go mad when viewed from different angles. You'll discover clipping in time!
 
- You may add a comment to the end of each line; a single word, don't use numbers! example: 
[ 0]: 3, 51.0, 15.0, 0.0, 90.0, 0.0, 0.0, 1.0, grand turnone
This is very handy when you get into adding objects. A clue: Crystal Palace has around 550 trackside objects.
 
- If you think a bit, working in Excel, and copying/pasting into notepad can be really helpful!

- Flaggers, gridboxes, trees, wah wah has to be added. You have an idea now what can be made from walls. 

  
Ok, now let's do a fair bit of cheating.  Do the following: 
Copy '''mytrack.set, mytrack.grv, mytrack.fb''' from the attached files, and drop them in your /mytrack dir, overwriting your old files. To understand these files we're leeching, you'll need to read up [[GPL_Track_Creating_-_trk23dow_-_Introduction|trk23dow!]] 
  
Open GPLtrk, and chose '''File-> Export Track File.'''
  
You now export the trk file from GPLtrk. 'mytrack.gtk' is ''yours only'', a file editable, while a trk can ''not'' be edited.  '''<span style="color:#ff0000">To avoid cheating</span>'''.  So don't share your GTK! And you'll have to mod the GTK, export trk every time you change something. 

Make sure you save it as "mytrack.trk".  Now Open a Dos window with the path of the working dir ( to do this, have your working folder open in explorer, and chose Start->run->command.  Voila!) 
If you followed this tuto, the path should be: 


'''C:\GPLedit\mytrack\''' 

 
Then type the following in the DOS window: 
'''trk23dow -t mytrack''' 
  
Hit Enter...and BLITZ! It finishes without drama (this process will take much longer for a proper track, depending on CPU power). 

  
Now, go to your mytrack dir, there should be a file called '''mytrack.N3D''' 
Rename it to 'mytrack.'''3do'''' 

Copy the entire folder, and paste it in under ....GPL/tracks/ 


You now have a new track! For it to work, you'll need to borrow a few files from one of the other tracks, say Silverstone. Copy the following files from silver to mytrack:
 
 
'''silver.dat'''
 
'''track.ini'''
 
'''Pass1.lp'''
 
'''Pass2.lp'''
 
'''race.lp'''
 
'''minrace.lp'''
 
'''maxrace.lp'''
 
'''pit.lp''' 


Rename ''''silver.dat'''' to ''''mytrack.dat''''. You're done here....now go to .....GPL/seasons/ 
and find ''''67season.ini'''' and ''''gp.ini''''. These will have to be modded slightly for the track to appear (see below) 
  

[[Image:gpltrk27.jpg|center|gpltrk27.jpg]]


Ok? You ready? This is where I can't be bothered to write anymore. You're on your own! If you get a 'could not load track' error, files are missing!

Oh, and: when you zap through the programme covers in GPL, mytrack will show up as Silverstone. And you'll need to SHIFT-R as soon as you hit the track; you'll fin out why! :o)
 
Have fun hotlapping the terribly dull oval! 


[[GPL_Track_Creating_-_The_ Beginners_Guide_Part_1_|Start over again, I'm lost!]]

  
Updated: 6-Jan-2001 

Transferred to the wiki: 30.04.2009

[[Category:Editing]]
[[Category:Internals]]