train model question

Does a train that you want to have move down a track using a func_track_train HAVE to be made from say a world brush, or is it possible to use the train models provided by Hammer? If the former is true, is there an easy way to make one of the trains besides having to piece together a bunch of brushes from the train texture? I just don't want it to look crappy. It's for a subway, btw. Thanks in advance.

I imagine you could build one with brushes using an invisible texture like nodraw, and then tie the model to it as a child.

<DIV class=quote>
<DIV class=quotetitle>? quoting Petrarch</DIV>
<DIV class=quotetext>I imagine you could build one with brushes using an invisible texture like nodraw, and then tie the model to it as a child.</DIV></DIV>
Write it as an "answer." :smile: Seems right to me.

So I would use nodraw to make my train model? Or do I just make a simple cube out of the nodraw texture? When I try putting the train model in as a prop_physics_multiplayer, it doesn't want to move. I'm a little scetchy on how to tie the model to the nodraw texture. Do you mean using ctrl-t? If so, what would I make it as far as an entity, etc. I'm lame, and i'm confusing myself. Thanks in advance.

make just a small 16x16 cube covered in nodraw. Then make that your train name it "train" Then make a ragdoll with the train model and set the PARENT field to "train" because it's the name of your actual moving entity. Note that the ragdoll train can be knocked over and will still get dragged along.

Another way you might do this is to just make your track out of the path entities, then make your traincar out of a prop_physics and set parent to the first point on the track. see if that will move you along.

Awesome. I'll try that when I get off of work. Thanks!

I've tried doing what you've suggested, Nickel. Here are the problems that i'm coming up with. I'm probably just lame.

prop_physics and prop_ragdoll both have no "parent" option in their properties.

nodraw texture has no apparent setting to give it a name.

I'm having a hell of a time just getting a model to move. Thanks for the help.

Try making your train model a prop_dynamic. You don't want your train to be affected by physics (throwing a table at it while it's going by), so you don't want it to be prop_physics. You also want it to move in the world, so you don't want prop_static. That leaves prop_dynamic :smile:

For your nodraw texture, do a ctrl+t to tie it to a func_tanktrain or func_tracktrain...whichever you're using. Then in the parent option of the train model, put in the name of the nodraw entity.

ok, where do I input a name for the nodraw entity? Thanks

In the name field for the func_track_train, perhaps? :razz:

Damn. Sometimes I'm amazed at my stupidity. Problem solved. Now to figure out how to add train cars to my train and all will be well. I may have to widen my track_train to accomodate more traincars. Should be interesting. You guys will go in my readme file for helping with my map when it's done. Thanks a bunch.