CCG/Modelling: Pantographs

Pantographs

Pantographs are the animated mechanisms on the roof of electric locomotives that conduct to the loco from electric catenary (wires) above.

Generally Pantograph animations should take place over 16 frames only. Bones must have the b.r.* naming convention for Trainz to recognise them.

Refer to the example download files and the Content Creation Art Source resource (available from the Trainz Website) for working examples.

Note: Animation should commence in the lowered position (frame 0) and be in the highest position at frame 16. All b.r. helper points (dummies) must be constructed in top view in 3DSMax (or GMax).

In this example, the Pantograph will be inserted into the Train model attachment point (a.pant0) at b.r.base (or 0,0,0).

Typical model configuration: (based on the bb15000 pantograph)

Hierarchal Sub-tree

b.r.base
   b.r.midbase
      b.r.mid
         b.r.top
            pant_top
         pant_mid
   b.r.strutbase
      b.r.strut
         pant_basestrut
   pant_base