3D Roller Coaster Designer – Windows Readme – English
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Windows
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English
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3d-roller-coaster-designer_win_readme_en_5mv.txt
************************* 3D Roller Coaster Designer ***************************
Thank you for purchasing 3D Roller Coaster Designer. This file
contains information on installation instructions, gameplay controls,
optimizing 3D Roller Coaster Designer for your system, contact information,
and other important topics.
IMPORTANT:
1: 3D Roller Coaster Designer can utilize the power of a variety of machines. It
is VERY important you adjust the setting to match your particular machine. Please
read the Optimization category below.
2: Gameplay instructions are located near the bottom of this file. They will
guide you in constructing your roller coaster.
********* Contact information
Web site address: www.3DGameArena.com.
If you need technical support you may contact us through or web site or
call 818 757-0858.
********* Installation Instructions
Insert CD-Rom.
If installation program does not start automatically.
Click the Start button on your Windows 95/98 Taskbar, then click Run and type
in the following: d:Setup
If your cdrom drive letter is not d, replace it with the appropriate drive
letter (ie: e:Setup). If you are not sure what your cdrom drive letter is
you can find it by clicking Browse in the Run dialog box
Next simply follow the onscreen instructions. The setup will ask you if you want
to install Direct X 5. If you have an older version of Direct X say yes and push
the button Reinstall Direct X which will appear at the end of the installation.
After installation is complete, click Start/Programs/3D Roller Coaster Designer.
(The "3D Roller Coaster Designer - No 3D Hardware" icon is for people who want to
bypass their 3D hardware upon startup. This is helpful only if you have a
3D hardware card that is incompatible with 3D Roller Coaster Designer.)
* Direct 3D does some initialization on the data before the game starts.
Please wait for data to load and be initialized.
After starting the game use your mouse operate the editor.
To change options Press F2 and use your mouse to highlight various options,
then click the mouse button to change them. Press Escape to return to the
main editor.
Press Escape to exit the game when finished.
Detailed gameplay instructions are located towards the end of this file.
********* Optimization
3D Roller Coaster Designer has adjustable settings through the options menu that
help adjust the games performance to match your system. Please review
the notes below to adjust the settings for the system that applies to you.
IMPORTANT: Pressing F5 during gameplay will display your framerate for comparisons.
*** Sample Settings
IMPORTANT: These are just sample settings. Please try mixing settings to find the
ones that give best performance for your system.
* High Performance Systems with 3D Hardware
Video Mode ....... ....1280 1024
View Distance .... ....Far
3D Hardware ...........On
Scenery Detail ........High
Audio .................On
Background ............3D
Day/Night .............Night
Number of Carts.... ...4
* Midrange Performance Systems with 3D Hardware
Video Mode ....... ....800 600
View Distance .... ....Medium
3D Hardware ...........On
Scenery Detail ........High
Audio .................On
Background ............3D
Day/Night .............Day
Number of Carts........2
* Low Performance Systems with 3D Hardware
Video Mode ....... ....640 480
View Distance .... ....Medium
3D Hardware ...........On
Scenery Detail ........Medium
Audio .................On
Background ............3D
Day/Night .............Day
Number of Carts.... ...1
* Low Performance Systems with NO 3D Hardware
Video Mode ....... ....320 240
View Distance .... ....Near
3D Hardware ...........Off
Scenery Detail ........Low
Audio .................Off
Background ............2D
Day/Night .............Night
Number of Carts........1
Note for users with no 3D hardware:
If you have no 3D hardware it is recommended you set Day/Night
to Night. 3D hardware provides texture filtering which is necessary
for the sky textures. Without texture filtering the skies will look
poor when riding your coaster. It is recommended to set "Night" to "On"
since this is not apparent with just a star background. Clicking the
check button forces a 2D background, which is the standard blue sky,
any chosen sky from the sky library is ignored. This 2D sky is only
applied when testing the coaster and looks best in 640 x 480 or 512 x 384
mode.
To summarize, systems with no 3D hardware can use Day or Night when pressing
the check button, but should use only night when pressing the go button
since this looks best.
*** Option Descriptions
* Video Mode
Switches between High & Low resolution
Low resolution help increase framerate.
* View Distance
Sets how far into the distance the player can see.
The further out the slower the framerate.
* 3D Hardware
Turns 3D hardware on and off.
IMPORTANT: Player must completely exit game and
start it again for the new 3D hardware setting to
take effect.
* Scenery Detail
Sets low, medium, or high detail. These settings
dramatically affect framerate and required system
and video memory.
* Audio
Turns sound on or off
* Background
Switches between 2D or 3D background.
For systems with 3D hardware, 3D backgrounds are
usually faster. For systems with no 3D hardware,
2D backgrounds are faster.
* Day/Night
Switches between day or night.
* Number of Carts
Sets the number of roller coaster carts. This
value also represents which cart you are sitting
in. If it is set to 4 you are in the 4th cart.
If it is set to 1 you are in the 1st cart.
The fewer the carts the faster the framerate.
********* Important Notes
Certain settings in the options menu may or may not be adjustable
depending on whether your video/3d card can support that feature.
If you do not have a 3D card there are features in the game that will
be missing. Some of these features are:
Texture Filtering
3D Background
Fog
Texture filtering and fog are only available on 3D cards that support
those features.
********* Gameplay Instructions
After reviewing the buttons and their descriptions please refer to the
sections just below titled "Constructing a Roller Coaster" and
"Customizing your coaster and environment" for a tutorial.
3D Roller Coaster Designer opens in the roller coaster editor. This is where
construction takes place. The 10 icons across the top of the screen represent
different pieces used to construct the roller coaster. There are 20 pieces
total. You switch between the 1st set of 10 and the second set of 10 by
clicking anywhere above the icons, (In the area that displays the title
"3D Roller Coaster Designer".) There are 2 arrows in this area but you may click
anywhere above the icons for convenience.
At the bottom of the editor are the navigation and task buttons. Below is a
description of there functions starting with the lower left button.
"Steel Cart" - Switches to the Steel roller coaster library.
WARNING - pressing this button will clear the existing roller coaster
under construction from memory. If you have a wooden or inverted coaster
you are working on and wish to keep it, please save it first before
pushing this button.
"Wood Cart" - Switches to the Wooden roller coaster library.
WARNING - pressing this button will clear the existing roller coaster
under construction from memory. If you have a steel or inverted coaster
you are working on and wish to keep it, please save it first before
pushing this button.
"Inverted Cart" - Switches to the Inverted roller coaster library.
WARNING - pressing this button will clear the existing roller coaster
under construction from memory. If you have a steel or wooden coaster
you are working on and wish to keep it, please save it first before
pushing this button.
"Cloud Button" - Displays the Sky Library
"Tree Button" - Displays the Tree Library
"Texture Button" - Displays the Texture Library for modifying ground and
mountain textures.
"Color Button" - This button is used for modifying the color of track pieces,
skies, ground textures, mountain textures, and trees, depending
upon which is currently active.
"Landscape Button" - Displays the Landscape Library.
Note: To return to the Track library simply push the "Steel Cart", "Wood Cart", or
"Inverted Cart" button, depending on which coaster type you are currently building.
"Select Button" - Allows player to select multiple objects in the scene easilty for moving
and deleting.
"Fog Button" - This button activates and modifies fog parameters and color.
"Up arrow" - Moves the camera Up in the scene.
"Down arrow" - Moves the camera Down in the scene.
"Left arrow" - Moves the camera Left in the scene.
"Right arrow" - Moves the camera Right in the scene.
"Zoom In" - Moves the camera closer to the roller coaster.
"Zoom Out" - Moves the camera further away from the roller coaster.
"Check" - Press this key to test your roller coaster. All coasters
must be tested before being ridden. At the end of the test
a score is given evaluating your coaster.
"Go" - After testing your coaster press this button to ride it. The
seat you sit in is based upon how many carts you specified in
the options menu.
"Load" - Loads a pre-built coaster into the editor.
WARNING - pressing this button will clear the existing roller coaster
under construction from memory. If you have a coaster
you are working on and wish to keep it, please save it first before
pushing this button.
"Save" - Saves the coaster under construction.
"F2" - Provides access to the options menu. For a description of the options
please see the options description section located at the top of this
document.
"Delete Key" - Deletes the currently flashing object or objects.
"Esc Key" - Exits the game.
WARNING - pressing this button will clear the existing roller coaster
under construction from memory. If you have a coaster
you are working on and wish to keep it, please save it first before
pushing this button.
********* Constructing a Roller Coaster
First begin by deciding whether to build a "Steel","Wood" or "Inverted" coaster
and push the appropriate button. When 3D Roller Coaster Designer begins,
"Steel" is automatically loaded.
Next click the landscape button to select you ground. The currently used landscape
is highlighted. Click the icon of the landscape you wish to use. The ground
immediately changes. You may right click on the highlighted landscape button
and enter a percent value to stretch that landscape for further customization.
Click the "Steel","Wood" or "Inverted" coaster button, depending on what
you are currently building, to display the track pieces.
Next LEFT click the mouse on the track piece located at the top of the
editor that represents the piece you would like to add. If the track
piece can fit correctly it will be added to the scene. Both the direction
of the track piece and the height of the piece must match for it to be added.
If the direction is incorrect, RIGHT click the mouse on the track piece
that represents the one you would like to add. Its direction now changes.
You may try adding it again by click the LEFT mouse button.
If the height is incorrect select a different piece that has the same
elevation. There are four different elevations, 150 feet, 100 feet, 50 feet,
and ground level.
IMPORTANT**** IMPORTANT**** IMPORTANT**** IMPORTANT****
Only the first 3 track pieces (the 3 pieces on the left as the game starts)
allow for automatic climbing when speed has been lost. The other pieces must
have enough speed built up for the coaster to complete them.
If you make a mistake and want to delete a track piece, press the "Delete" key.
This will delete the currently flashing track piece. You can also delete trees,
lights, and rocks with this key if they have been selected and are flashing.
IMPORTANT**** IMPORTANT**** IMPORTANT**** IMPORTANT****
Track pieces can be used both forwards and backwards if the direction and
height match. For example, a 150 foot climb piece can also be used by
changing its direction to a 150 foot drop piece.
Coaster pieces are not allowed to be placed in the same location as
another existing piece.
Keeping the roller coaster clustered together in one area looks nice,
this will however slow down the framerate since there are more pieces
being processed at one time. If you are getting a slow framerate you
may wish to try having the pieces more dispersed across the field.
You must end with the last piece correctly fitting to the first piece which
extends out the back of the terminal where the coaster construction began.
Continue building your coaster.
When finished press the "Check" button to test your coaster.
If the coaster finishes successfully, a score is given.
You may now ride the coaster by pressing the "GO" button.
You may take camera snapshots while riding the coaster by pressing the
"C" key. Images are placed in the "\camera" folder and are named numerically
starting with img_0001.bmp
IMPORTANT: Everytime the game is restarted from Windows, camera image filenames
will start over from img_0001.bmp so if you wish to save your screenshots you must
rename them or they will be overwritten.
********* Customizing your coaster and environment
* Changing your sky
Click the "Cloud Button" and select your sky. The currently active sky is highlighted.
The highlight color represents the current color filter being applied. White
is the default and makes the sky look like the icon. To change the color filter click
on the "Color Button" and choose "Highlighted object in currently displayed library". Now
select the color you would like to apply. Press "OK" when finished. The highlight bar
now changes to match your selected color. The color will now be applied when you test and
ride your coaster.
* Changing your ground texture
Click the "Texture Button" and select "Ground Texture" then press "OK". The currently
active ground texture is highlighted. Left click to select the ground texture you would like to use.
The ground immediately changes texture to match. The highlight color under to texture icon
represents the current color filter being applied. White is the default and makes the
ground texture look like the icon. To change the color filter click on the "Color Button".
Now select the color you would like to apply. Press "OK" when finished. The highlight bar
now changes to match your selected color and the color filter is applied to your ground.
* Changing your mountain texture
Click the "Texture Button" and select "Mountain Texture" then press "OK". The currently
active mountain texture is highlighted. Left click to select the mountain texture you would like to use.
The mountain immediately changes texture to match and can be seen next time you test or ride
your coaster. The highlight color under to texture icon represents the current color filter
being applied. White is the default and makes the ground texture look like the icon. To change
the color filter click on the "Color Button". Now select the color you would like to apply.
Press "OK" when finished. The highlight bar now changes to match your selected color and the
color filter is applied to your ground. Note: Mountain textures are also used for the inside
of tunnel walls.
* Adding trees
IMPORTANT NOTE: The trees at the furthest right of the tree library are 3D and most complex.
Planting 5000 of the most complex trees would dramatically slow down the game.
A good practice is to use them sparingly. For example, use less complex trees to fill
up the environment and then strategically place complex trees nearby the coaster tracks.
Also, some 2D trees do not look good very close up so a little distance from the track is
recommended. 3D trees look good very close and far away they should just be used sparingly.
Click the "Tree Button". The tree library is now displayed. You may left click on any
icon to add a tree. After the tree is added it will blink meaning it is the currently selected
tree. Now hold down the right mouse button and drag across the viewport to move your tree.
Click a tree icon again to continue adding.
The highlight color beneath the tree icon you are adding represents the current color filter
being applied. White is the default and makes the trees look like the icon. To change the color filter click
on the "Color Button" and choose "Highlighted object in currently displayed library". Now
select the color you would like to apply. Press "OK" when finished. The highlight bar
now changes to match your selected color. All trees of the type highlighted instantly change
color to match. Each tree icon may have its own color filter.
** Creating varying trees 1 at a time.
Right click on the tree you would like to add. Push "Create Single Object Only" and press "Next".
Below is a description of the displayed parameters:
"Continuos Creation" - Allows the player to continue to add trees with every Left mouse click.
Press escape to stop continuos creation when adding trees.
"Randomly Rotate Objects" - This option will randomly rotate 3D objects. This does not apply
to 2D trees which are always facing the camera.
"Randomly Scale Objects" - This option will randomly scale objects based upon the parameters
you specify. To create trees ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent
set minimum to 50 and maximum to 100. To create trees that are all
50 percent height and width, set all parameters to 50, etc...
** Creating varying trees MORE than 1 at a time.
Right click on the tree you would like to add. Push "Disperse Multiple Objects" and press "Next".
Below is a description of the displayed parameters:
"Total Objects to Create" - Specifies how many trees to create with every left mouse click.
"Continuos Creation" - Allows the player to continue to add trees with every Left mouse click.
Press escape to stop continuos creation when adding trees.
"Spacing" - "Even" will evenly space the trees along the designated area.
- "Random" will randomly space the trees along the designated area.
"Placement Area" - "Specify" will plant trees in the area size designated.
- "Global" will plant trees across the entire ground.
"Area Size" - For use with "Placement Area/Specify", these parameters designate
the size of the area the trees will be placed in. Entering 500
width and 500 length will plant the trees in a box area 500 feet
wide by 500 feet deep. IMPORTANT- There is a special feature, if
you specify 1 in width or length, for example width 500 and length
1, this will cause the trees to be planted in a single row 500 feet
long. You must have a parameter set to 1 for this feature,
2 will not work.
"Randomly Rotate Objects" - This option will randomly rotate 3D objects. This does not apply
to 2D trees which are always facing the camera.
"Randomly Scale Objects" - This option will randomly scale objects based upon the parameters
you specify. To create trees ranging from 50 percent to 100 percent
set minimum to 50 and maximum to 100. To create trees that are all
50 percent height and width, set all parameters to 50, etc...
* Adding fog - (Only for 3D hardware cards that support this feature)
Click the "Fog Button". Uncheck "Fog Disabled". Below is a description of the fog parameters.
"Normal Fog" - This option will produce standard fog based upon your specifications.
"Dynamic Fog" - This option will produce fog that changes in density as the coaster
moves along the track. Any entered fog density parameters are ignored.
"Modify Color" - Press this button to change the fog color from white to another color.
"Ground Fog Density" - Sets the density of the fog that is applied to just the ground.
"Horizon Fog Density" - Sets the density of the fog that is applied to the mountains and sky.
* Test your coaster.
Click the check button to test your coaster. If there was not enough speed to pass through loops
or make it up hills you may have to go back and edit your coaster. Also trees planted in the middle
of tracks would also cause the coaster to crash. Simply left click on the tree to move, when it starts
blinking means it is selected. Then hold down the right mouse button and drag the tree to move it
out of the track path.
* Ride the coaster
Once the coaster has passed the test stage you may press the "Go Button" and ride your creation.
***************
Thank you for your interest in 3D Roller Coaster Designer, we hope you enjoy the game.