HowTo

This page lists available "How To" Guides which describe how to achieve certain tasks related to Trainz.

Users are encouraged to add their own guides to this page in a similar fashion, or expand on existing guides. Please keep in mind that this site is dedicated to the current version of Trainz and that techniques used should relate to this version. Editors note: all pages here should fit the pattern "How to X", as in "How to place signals". Pages and topics which cannot be phrased in this manner do not belong on this page.

The Trainz Channel

There are many tutorial videos that have been recorded for Trainz users to watch and learn from. Below are some of the videos which you might find interesting. To keep up to date with all streams and videos visit TheTrainzChannel on Twitch TV.

Trainz - Content Creation - #22 - Level of Detail ( LOD ) - Video

This tutorial goes into detail about the possibilities of Level of Detail or LOD when modelling and how to get your LODs working within Trainz.

The example assets used in the tutorial can be downloaded HERE

Trainz - Content Creation - #21 - Missing Dependencies and Moving Content - Video

This tutorial goes into detail on how to determine what assets are missing when you have something marked as having "Missing Dependencies" in Trainz Content Manager. We also explain what you need to do to move your content from one copy of Trainz to another.

Trainz - Content Creation - #20 - How to increase a kuid version in Trainz - Video

If you are updating an asset, most of the time you don't want to be creating a new kuid for it (i.e don't clone CTRL+D the asset). You will want to just increase the kuid version number so that the asset keeps the original kuid with only the version number changing.

To increase an assets kuid version just follow these simple steps.

 1. From the launcher, open Content Manager
 2. Select your current version asset and click the "Content" in the main menu and select "Create New Version"
 3. The new version will be open for edit so you'll need to make your edits and submit for the new version to take effect.

Information that describes the actual contents of a kuid can be found HERE

Trainz - Content Creation - #19 - Session Creation - Video

This tutorial runs through all the requirements needed to start creating a session in Trainz. The information can be found viewed HERE in this document along with a sample session to download and view, edit or copy snippets from.

Trainz - Content Creation - #18 - Invisible Track - Video

This tutorial shows you how you can use invisible track to make your route / sessions come alive with items like planes, helicopters and boats.

Trainz - Content Creation - #17 - Merging 2 Routes - Video

This tutorial shows you how you can merge 2 routes together to form a larger route.

Trainz - Content Creation - #16.3 - Creating Specular Maps - Video

This tutorial shows you how to create specular maps.

Download the Specular Map Asset Here

Trainz - Content Creation - #16.2 - Materials - Paint (using tbumpenv) - Video

This is a sequel of tutorials that show how to create certain types of materials in Trainz. This material is a "Paint" style material using tbumpenv. You can take this example and build / learn from it in the hope that you might achieve a better look using all the available material variables in Trainz.

Download the Material Paint Asset Here

Trainz - Content Creation - #16.1 - Materials - Rust (using tbumpgloss) - Video

This is a sequel of tutorials that show how to create certain types of materials in Trainz. This material is a "Rust" style material. You can use these materials on your content creations in the hope that you might achieve a better look using all the available material variables in Trainz.

Download the Material Rust Asset Here

Trainz - Content Creation - #15 - Advanced Track Laying Tools - Video

This tutorial explains how to easily create smooth prototypical track using the advanced track laying tools.

Trainz - Content Creation - #14 - Driver Commands - Video

This tutorial explains how to use Driver Commands in your session creation and also to drive your trains in Driver.

Trainz - Content Creation - #13 - Creating / Saving Consists - Video

This tutorial explains how to create your own Consists in Trainz so that you can avoid having to place individual vehicles down over and over again to make up your Train.

Trainz - Content Creation - #12 - Portals - Video

This tutorial explains how to use Portals to spawn trains into your sessions. The portals explained are the built-in portals, central control rule and the un-portal 2 rule. We also show how the CPC Emit Trigger rule works to emit trains when a trigger is hit. <kuid:-25:1070> Portal, <kuid2:30501:22006:3> Portal Basic, <kuid2:96914:22000:1> Portal Basic Short, <kuid2:117746:1013:9> Central Portal Control, <kuid2:400260:100645:2> Un-Portal 2, <kuid2:117746:1044:11> CPC: Emit Train On Trigger

Trainz - Content Creation - #11 - Creating Speedtrees Assets for Trainz - Video

This tutorial is a long one but goes into all aspects of creating Speedtrees for Trainz. From setting up your tree lighting, materials, color sets, LOD and wind to creating single trees or trees from a Speedtree library where each new tree references the same textures saving on performance and memory. All config.txt setup is explained and also full seasonal support.

Speedtree Tutorial Files are HERE. Please not they are the tree assets referencing a tree library as that is the best way to create your Speedtree Assets for Trainz.

Trainz - Content Creation - #10 - Introduction into Interlocking Towers - Video

This tutorial gives you an introduction into how to set up an Interlocking Tower Path.

Trainz - Content Creation - #9 - Understanding trainz settings & Level of Detail on assets - Video

This tutorial gives you an understanding on what the Trainz Settings do and how to configure them. The video also (in the beginning) talks about Level of Detail (LOD).

Trainz - Content Creation - #8 - How to use triggers, change and lock junctions and change signals via rules in your sessions - Video

This tutorial shows you how to find out how to use Triggers in Trainz to add great gameplay to your sessions!

Trainz - Content Creation - #7 - Understanding Layers in Surveyor and what to use them for - Video

This tutorial shows you how to use layers in Surveyor and the benefits of setting them up correctly to get the most out of your route and session creation.

Trainz - Content Creation - #6 - How to update color, lighting and fog in a route or session - Video

This tutorial shows you how to update the color, lighting and fog for certain times of the day within your route or session. We also show you how to change your water effects and date for seasonal change to.

This video should help you tweak your route or session to represent the look and feel you're going for with color, lighting, fog, water and day/night cycle for your route.

Trainz - Content Creation - #5 - Bulk replace assets in surveyor to save hours of time! - Video

Got an old route you want to update but think “There is no way I’m replacing 20,000 trees, that is going to take me a lifetime!” Never fear, we will show you some time saving ways to update your route in this video!

Trainz - Content Creation - #4 - Part 1 - HTML Assets - Text - String Table Entries - Video

Trainz - Content Creation - #4 - Part 2 - HTML Assets - Pages with Images and Sounds - Video

Trainz - Content Creation - #3 - Finding Content on the Download Station - Video

This video explains the process of using TrainzContent to find assets on the Download Station.

Trainz - Content Creation - #2 - Part 1 - Turning an old track asset into a procedural track asset - Video

Trainz - Content Creation - #2 - Part 2 - Turning an old track asset into a procedural track asset - Video

Trainz - Content Creation - #2 - Part 3 - Turning an old track asset into a procedural track asset - Video

Trainz - Content Creation - #1 - How to create a ground texture - Video

The example assets used in the tutorial can be downloaded HERE

Using "Manage Content" in TANE

• Download an Asset from the Download Station
• Configure and use Columns in content windows
• Use the "Status" column in content windows
• Edit and Submit content
• View by thumbnail images
• Fix Errors and Warnings
• Use Search Filters

Content Creation: Routes

• Create a Route in 10 Minutes
• Add Bumpy Track
• Make a Track Cutting
• Place Signals
• Build a Bridge
• Build a Tunnel
• Build a Crossing
• Build Catenary
• Use Superelevation
• Use Trig Stations
• Configure an iPortal
• Configure An Interlocking Tower

Content Creation: Assets

• Make your first Trainz Asset
• Export from Max
• Export from Blender
• Export from Blender using FBX
• Solve Blender Modelling Problems
• Scaling setup in Blender
• Build normal maps in Max
• Localize an Asset
• Build a scripted asset
• Reskin an Asset
• Reskin an Asset using an alias
• Build a Car for Traffic (stand-alone version)
• Build a Car for Traffic (mesh library version)
• Build a cab interior
• Build a drivable car
• Render to Texture
• Build a simple animated scenery asset in Blender
• Build Passenger Enabled Assets
• Create a High Voltage Power Line Spline
• Create transparent windows in Blender
• Create a Fence Spline Featuring LOD and Random Meshes
• Create a Neon Font Effect with PhotoShop C4
• Build an animated Neon Sign
• Configure a spline for collisions
• Build Procedural Track for T:ANE
• Update your auto-generated next KUID

Content Creation: Scripting

• Your first Trainz Script
• Hide- & Unhide Meshes

Creating and Configuring Content In-game

• Create an Interactive Session
• Add Carz Traffic to a Route
• Tune a Steam Locomotive Enginespec
• Configure an Interactive Industry
• Implement a Destination Sign System
• Upload a new asset to the DownloadStation
• Update an existing asset on the DownloadStation

Documentation Suggestions

• Build normal maps in Blender
• Build a house - See discussion page
• Build a tree
• Build a track
• Build a tunnel
• Build a hedge
• Build a fence
• Build a road
• Build a road crossing
• Build a train car
• Build a bogey
• Build a ground texture
• Build an interactive industry
• Add attached track
• Add an intro page to a session
• Register with Planet Auran
• Create an Achievement
• Use a map to create a baseboard
• Create a displacement map

See Also

• Content Configuration - A reference manual covering all content types.