TOOL RTB- Race Track Builder

[Pixelchaser]

How do you make to paint the finish line, and the car grid ?

I guess it's with the 4th subtool of the track tool, but I don't understand how that works .
I'll watch again the official tutorial ...

its just a texture in that position. those functions are to set the car spawn positions and where the line is for the timing. system.

 

[cercata]

those functions are to set the car spawn positions and where the line is for the timing. system.

Not the 4th tool, the 4th subtool in the 2nd tool(track editing).
I think it's for changing textures to track pieces ...

 

[Pixelchaser]

ahh yes the material tool it is indeed. and that is exactly what you use it for . cut out a section and replace the texture with start gate , cut out more for the position grids. etc.

you must always consider the scaling and how much distance the texture covers. once you get that down it works really great. heres my start line for lime rock done with rtb.

 

[cercata]

That start line rocks

 

[Ricardo Rey]

This question is mainly to @Pixelchaser, but anyone may respond.

It's been about 3 weeks since I worked in RTB. For me, my minimum desire was to get a basic track with GPS data. It seemed to work fairly well. My experiment was 3 tracks based on elevations that I could drive near me. So they are not real race tracks.

I found that because of the hilly terrain in my area, it took a while to download the data from Google. I used the terrain tool and it seriously took about 2 hours. Well, I assume 2 hours because the yellow cube continued to flash that long.

When complete, at least in my experiment, was accurate enough to the streets in my area. If there was a difference I couldn't tell. An example would be when I drive the real surface in my truck, it is different than when I drive in our car. So I guess I am happy enough with that.

Although I have not tried making xpacks, my concern would be how much time it would take to model an object, then make an xpack, then put in RTB for a one time use. It seems, not having tried yet, that it would be much simpler to now export and finish everything else in 3d modeling software. Since you have almost 1000 hours I would like your opinion.

 

[Pixelchaser]

yeah, either either as they say. (actually that doesn't work in text )
xpacker is for those without that end modelling software option really. but its just putting a model into rtb. very simple. as long as its all correct in max or blender and positioned at zero point there be no issues generally. but if there is then its adding another xpack which is a PITA ! once an xpack is associated you cant un associate it. I find that annoying but it doesn't get in the way.

ive had peculiar errors with some xpacks ive made.

but on the other hand what better way to work in RTB than to have everything in front of you, tunable for later on, in that real software.

 

[cercata]

For me, my minimum desire was to get a basic track with GPS data. It seemed to work fairly well. My experiment was 3 tracks based on elevations that I could drive near me. So they are not real race tracks.

I found that because of the hilly terrain in my area, it took a while to download the data from Google. I used the terrain tool and it seriously took about 2 hours. Well, I assume 2 hours because the yellow cube continued to flash that long.

When complete, at least in my experiment, was accurate enough to the streets in my area.

How did you get your GPS data in RTB ?

using the terrain tool, you can see the exact elevation of a point somewhere in RTB ?

How do you compare to you GPS data ?

 

[Ricardo Rey]

How did you get your GPS data in RTB ?

using the terrain tool, you can see the exact elevation of a point somewhere in RTB ?

How do you compare to you GPS data ?

When in RTB hit F1. A help file will come up with a link to "Setting up Google"; how to get GPS data from Google.
I made a track (not real) of streets near me. I compared to the GPS data RTB downloaded to my real streets.

 

[Robert B]

once an xpack is associated you cant un associate it. I find that annoying but it doesn't get in the way.

if you mean by that to update/edit an existent xpack,open the xpack in xpacker,replace the objects you want to update (or add new ones),save/override to zip,delete the old xpack in your track folder and add the new one from your xpacks folder.open your project and youll see,its there.even placed objects/sobjects are updated and at the same place,direction,...

how much time it would take to model an object, then make an xpack, then put in RTB for a one time use

since i found out sketchup can export fbx,it is very fast.for example, a simple cube can be in rtb in less than 3 minutes.

 

[Ricardo Rey]

but on the other hand what better way to work in RTB than to have everything in front of you, tunable for later on, in that real software.

If I understand you, I agree. I like the "WYSIWYG" aspect in real time. I do wish it had import features so that I could import, a track mesh for example, that I started in max. Then, lay it on top of the downloaded terrain.

 

[Pixelchaser]

can load what you want, so save that mash in the position you want. and add it to xpack.

ive put whole completed tracks merged into 1 object into rtb before.

 

[Ricardo Rey]

can load what you want, so save that mash in the position you want. and add it to xpack.

ive put whole completed tracks merged into 1 object into rtb before.

Ah. OK. I'll try that...
Thanks!

 

[cercata]

When in RTB hit F1. A help file will come up with a link to "Setting up Google"; how to get GPS data from Google.
I made a track (not real) of streets near me. I compared to the GPS data RTB downloaded to my real streets.

I already have google terrain data ... but how do you compare that to yout GPS data ?

since i found out sketchup can export fbx,it is very fast.for example, a simple cube can be in rtb in less than 3 minutes.

But then you have to assign all textures, isn't it ?
Yesterday I tried this car in a XPack, and it got imported in RTB, but it was pitch black.

https://3dwarehouse.sketchup.com/model/1dbb24dedcb23beab1bb46d2556ba67d/Mercedes-Benz-SLK350

 

[Robert B]

But then you have to assign all textures, isn't it ?

yes,you have to assign all textures.ac and rtb have problems with sketchup materials.

 

[Johnr777]

I already have google terrain data ... but how do you compare that to yout GPS data ?

I think you would need to at least create a spline from your GPS line and loft it, either in max or blender. then import the mesh as a XPACK and overlay it on top of the google terrain and compare.

Ali, Ricardo, I'm almost willing to spend the 60 canadian dollars to give this tool a go.. Should I? I've read all your posts on this thread, but wanted to hear your opinion if it is actually worth it. I have a couple of GPS splines for Mosport and another track... Would love to give Mosport a go if the google earth capture, and the software package is reliable. Dont have a lot of time to spline and loft in max, my knowledge in that department is still very low and slow... I'm a 2D artist, not 3D

 

[Ricardo Rey]

Mosport

Yes. Old 60's and new!!!
If you read my post on RTB, it does OK for the Google data, at least my experiment with terrain near me. I think you would probably want to finish in Max. @Pixelchaser has the most experience and had success.

 

[Johnr777]

That would be the goal, get the layout and terrain in RTB then make it pretty in 3ds Max, which is no problem.

 

[Midnight Intellectual]

Hey guys, I got a question;

Would it be recommended that I create all the drivable surfaces and terrain within RTB, then import the .fbx file into Blender or 3DS Max to texture the roads with paint lines?

Thanks.

 

[Pixelchaser]

welcomes !

Rtb has powerful material editor and mapping functions (once you learn them)

 

[Midnight Intellectual]

I'm not sure of what you are talking about. Sorry

Also when I try to export my map to test out the track in AC, it does not load and instantly closes. All my files are in order as well, even the distance between joined tracks are under 1000 as recommended by Brandon.

Sorry if I seem to be asking too much.