SrrTrains
This page contains the description of the concept of SrrTrains, a standard-based, open source railway simulation, which is currently under construction.
You can find news about SrrTrains in the Blog, especially in the News-Thread.
For those, who want to know the whole story, here is the detailed concept paper:
- concept paper – base module (37 pages, 14 figures, 2 tables)
- concept paper – train manager module (11 pages, 7 figures)
You can go directly to the download area, where you will find the SRR framework and the example layout, together with some demo videos and the documentation.
Note: The prefix Srr that appears often together with SrrTrains is derived from Simulated Railroad.
Last update: 08.11.2009
Lieber Besucher: diese Seite gibt’s auf Deutsch: SrrTrains-German
The Do-It-Yourself-Virtual-Multiplayer-Model-Railroad
OK, there are many virtual model railroad programs available. Why to implement another one? The difference is X3D/VRML (Extensible 3D, Virtual Reality Modeling Language). Usage of X3D/VRML would ensure compatibility and interchangeability of model railroad layouts, models such as wagons and locomotives, and of course avatars.
I want to join. How to proceed?
It depends on what you want.
If you want to help implementing the SRR Framework, then I recommend e-mail contact. You can find a project description here. You can contact the SRR Core Team here. An SrrTrains Homepage exists in addition to the present blog.
If you just want to use the SRR Framework to build a virtual multiplayer model railroad and if you are already happy with building layouts and modules (but no vehicles yet except 2-axled wagons), I recommend to
- read this page thoroughly
- download the example layout from the download area and play around with it
- install X3D-Edit (or another editor of your choice) and have a closer look to the example layout, try to change small things on your own
- study the lower layer interface of the SRR objects (currently not up to date) and of the example track geometry (currently not up to date)
- build your own layout/module/model
Anyway I would be interested in your feed back about this hobby, best in the comments of the download area.
The Gaming Idea
- More than one people play together on a layout, it’s a network game
- You can build and publish your own layouts and modules
- You can build and publish your own models such as wagons and locomotives
- Compatibility is guaranteed by X3D/VRML, by usage of SRR and by obeying a few rules established by SRR
- This page (the download area) provides X3D prototypes and manuals to help you with this hobby
- you can share your experiences with other people on this page
A first screen shot of the example layout that comes with SRR v0.01 – step 0021c looks like
Which interests you should have, if you would like to begin with this hobby:
- 3D modeling (Blender, X3D-Edit, ……)
- model railroad/railroad
- not mandatory: programming (currently JavaScript)
Differences to other Railway Simulations
A lot of railway simulations and communities exist on the market,
for example
http://rail-sim.de/railsim/
http://www.zusi.de/
http://www.auran.com/trainz/
……
and many others.
As far as I know, SrrTrains is the first concept, that
- includes the multiplayer-concept from the beginning
- is heavily based on standards (X3D/VRML) and open source (Blender, X3D-Edit)
- is an online concept: nothing has to be installed on the local machine but a Web3D Browser
- is future proof up to and beyond the decades of holo decks
How to Edit SrrTrains Modules/Models
As in the real model railroad, SrrTrains railroads are buildt up by modules (parts of layouts) and models are used on a layout/module to simulate the railroads operations.
The framework SRR provides so-called SRR objects that can be used as a basis to create your own modules and models.
The following PDF introduction(07.11.2009) gives some visual impressions from this hobby and a rough introduction into the functionality provided by SRR objects.
Editing your own modules/models will follow roughly the following process (higher layer editor would be e.g. Blender, lower layer editor would be e.g. X3D-Edit).
The SrrTrains specific adaptations of the higher layer editor Blender will are currently being planned for step 0050 of SRR v0.01.
To edit the properties of a module/model on lower layer with X3D-Edit, one will need the description of the lower layer interface of the SRR objects and the description of the lower layer interface of the example track geometry.
Used Tools
X3D-Edit: https://savage.nps.edu/X3D-Edit/
Blender: http://www.blender.org/, http://de.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender, http://blendpolis.de/f/index.php
BS Contact (test version): download BS Contact test version
BS Collaborate (test version): download BS Collaborate test version
General information about BS Contact and BS Collaborate: http://www.bitmanagement.com/
Octaga Player: http://www.octaga.com
