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RCT3 Looking for help building supports - Printable Version

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Looking for help building supports - HairyLoco - Mar 6, 2015

Hi all,
So, I'm pretty new to using Custom Scenery, and I've been experimenting with a few over the last few days.
Just now I've set my first custom supports, but something about it irks me, as if something isn't right.
I basically just did whatever felt good at the time, but when I look at it from a distance it just seems so...bland?

Anyway, if you have spare time on your hands, please help a poor fellow out!
I've provided some screenshots, please take a look.
[Image: lQt9Y0n.jpg]
[Image: PdxhJXn.jpg]

What I'm wondering about in particular is:
-Have I set my supports at the correct angle, particularly at the steep drop and the 90 degree banked corner?
-Is the distance between each support too short? About 1 tile each.
-Have I gone overboard with the Flanges, or do I need to add more?

I'd like to get some feedback before I continue building supports, something about it doesn't feel right, but I don't know how to do it correctly.
Anyway, thanks for your time and thanks in advance for your help. Smile
Regards,
Loco

Edit:
Also, while I'm asking questions, what does "B&M" refer to? I've seen it come up quite a lot, but google searches never really helped me figure out.

RE: Looking for help building supports - SUPER MOOSE93 - Mar 6, 2015

the main problem is that there are way too many supports, a general rule is a 3 to 4 square gap between supports on straight lines such as lift hills. supports on lift hills are usually angled, especially on B&M tracks

this is my B&M track i am working on. the supports for the lift hill are placed every 4 squares (3 square gap between each support). i used 8H angled supports, always do.

[Image: 4tgb6Qj.png]

on the corners, i would put a support on every corner piece (where the pieces join)

this is the same B&M project, the final turn before hitting the breaks. it is supported in all the places it needs supporting

[Image: fpj2wzp.png]

supporting can be fairly difficult to do sometimes, it is difficult making it look stable but no cluttered (sometimes you cant help the clutter)

now for the final question. B&M, bolliger and mabillard, is a company that designs coasters. they are the only company that uses the square spine on their tracks so it is easy to distinguish a B&M coaster from other companies

RE: Looking for help building supports - HairyLoco - Mar 6, 2015

Hi Supermoose! Thanks a lot for your time and help!

A lot of things clicked into place now that you've explained it to me, thank you.
Is there any general rule regarding the use of flanges?
I know they're just there to make it "look" real, but I haven't been in theme parks often enough to actually know when it looks real and when it's just silly.
It's kind of hard to see on the screenshots I've provided, but I've just sticked flanges on wherever, some of the chain-lift pieces have 4 - 5 flanges on them, and I've stuck flanges on every set of supports, while I see that in your banked bend on the second screenshot don't have any.

Thanks again, so much, for your help! (I can't express that enough)
Loco

RE: Looking for help building supports - HLH3 - Mar 6, 2015

When I build a coaster and then start changing the supports I look at them and try to think like the builder when they have to break it down for shipping after the final inspection. How large are the pieces, and what is the maximum length/weight of each piece? I will then start placing the flanges keeping in mind the construction and maintenance crews. 30 years of aircraft maintenance (USAF Retired) does that to you. Make it maintenance friendly i.e. easy to fix.

RE: Looking for help building supports - SUPER MOOSE93 - Mar 6, 2015

i dont usually use flanges, this is the first time i have ever really used them properly.

when i was placing them, i usually went with what looked best by not having small supports with flanges on them, and not letting supports get too long. bigger supports like the top of the lift hill usually have 2 flanges, medium size supports usually get one in the middle, small supports dont need a flange

RE: Looking for help building supports - HairyLoco - Mar 6, 2015

Thanks everyone for your help, it's really helped me further.
Here are two screenshots of my progress, I think I'm doing really well now, nothing looks really dodgy (except for the first chain-lift and drop parts, but that's pretty hard to get right).

[Image: iRNjUlF.jpg]

Even though the footers are not exactly in the middle (my perfectionist side shows up in that regard) I still think even the footers look passable.

[Image: 6EMtMf5.jpg]

If there's anything you guys would say I can do better, please tell me.
Your previous tips already helped me a lot, and I think I can soon start working on Bounty Hunter with custom supports. ^^


I must say, the slight errors in alignment aside, replacing supports is a really relaxing and fun activity now that I'm getting more comfortable with the options and offers in Moby's Steel Jungle.

RE: Looking for help building supports - Blu - Mar 6, 2015

That's a lot better. But right after the second drop, and again after the curve, you probably need to add one more. Just look at it and try to imagine if it seems stable.

RE: Looking for help building supports - HairyLoco - Mar 6, 2015

(Mar 6, 2015, 05:39 PM)Blu Wrote: That's a lot better. But right after the second drop, and again after the curve, you probably need to add one more. Just look at it and try to imagine if it seems stable.

You mean the part where it banks over, or the part where you level horizontally after the drop?
Also, thanks for the compliment. ^^

RE: Looking for help building supports - SUPER MOOSE93 - Mar 7, 2015

that looks so much better, the only things i would suggest doing are:
-moving the first lift hill support to the first incline piece (just use a small vertical support, it doesnt need an angled support)
-adding a vertical support to both 90 degree bank pieces

footers dont always cooperate but you can get most of them very close if you are using CPciscos B&M footers. also, do you have coaster joes' B&M connectors? they just add a little bit more of a realistic look to the ride, your ride looks good as it is so far but its just something to consider

RE: Looking for help building supports - HairyLoco - Mar 7, 2015

Thanks Supermoose (once more) for your help. I've taken your advice to heart and here's the progress. Every support with an orange footer is what I've done so far.
I wasn't actually aware of Coaster Joe's Support Connectors, but I've downloaded them and gave them a try.

I got stuck on a 45° medium curve, there didn't seem to be a support connector that fits. It's either too high or too low, or not correctly aligned to the track..
I'm taking a break now, though.
Here is the progress I've made:
[Image: o6DIFvA.jpg]

[Image: pGc0TJC.jpg]

Once again, thanks for all your help, I'm really grateful. My coaster is looking better and better even though it's only made for the purpose of testing mods.