Newbie alert!

How do I design a decent coaster? I'm not talking awesome, or breathtaking - just a good coaster that works?

I had bad experiences in the past (with RCT 1 & 2) trying to design my own coasters and have usually ended up using stock or downloaded ones. With RCT 3 I want to have another try but I'm not even sure how to start. For example what height should I make the incline (forgive me, I don't know the technical terms) the cars are dragged up and then released in proportion to the rest if the ride? Can you have too many loops and turns? And so on.

If there's anyone who can give me a few, quick 'Dummies Guide' tips I'd be very grateful.

ok ok, for a great coaster that works, you can choose whatever steepness for your "incline"(its called a lift hill)for a looping coaster(a coaster with inversions)i would go for a lift hill height of 120-150ft, but for a "giga" coaster(a coaster with big air-time hills and turns etc.) i would go for a height of 180-250ft(or even over 300ft if you want to push the boundries, but you will usually push the intencity rating too far and guests wont go on it)180-250ft is a good solid height. But you dont always have to use lift hills, i you want, you can build launch tracks so that your coaster can speed through the track quickly.
For looping coasters, you can go too far in terms of inversions(loops barol rolls etc.), i would put 5-10 or even 12 inversions in or more if you want to kill your riders lolyou can never put too many turns in a coaster track, inversions are good, but you want your guests to enjoy the ride as much as possible, just put a couple of hills, helexs and over-banked turns in and you will be fine.
One way to lay out a coaster could be to splitt it up into parts, the start would be the lift hill, then the thrill sections with inversions and hills, then maybe a brake run half way through the track to give your guests a breath of relieve lol, then the final bit of the coaster being banked turns and maybe 1 or 2 corkscrews.
If you need more help, pm me or one of the other members, of look at the "tracks" and "parks" sections in the "Exchange" forum. I hope i have helped. And welcome to the forums

Neg-G

Neg-A-Tive-G - many thanks for your response to my request. Just the sort of information I was looking for! Now I can use this as a basis for designing my own coasters. I will try not to kill to many customers!

You have been a huge help.

no problem m8, just be sure to post your coaster creations up on rct3x for us all to see
and in case you havent got it, JCats steelworkz custom scenery pack adds total realism to your coasters, have a look on
http://www.rct2-online.com/80/details.php?id=7

and if youre interested in any other custom packs of want to know more about them thenn go to the "custom scenery" page in the "exchange" forum

hope this helps also

Neg-G

Nice help Neg-G-man.

I usally like my coasters to flow smoothly. fast speed going down and nice and smoothe through the inversions.

Well for one look into coasters when your at a park and look at the layout.
Look at your area where you want your coaster make eye candy (ex: waterfalls, mountain gorge, housse!) Then think out the layout even do drawings, ride plan, then start constructing if it doesn't look right, do it over keep repeating the same thing intil it looks good! I hope it works

I sometimes use real coasters as a bit of insperation
http://www.rcdb.com/
Thats got be just about every roller coaster on the earth lol

If you want to build the coaster of your dreams, use the Extended coaster(Need WILD Expansion)This coaster gives you more track pieces than anyother, and you can build them 200ft and over.Dont use to many elements to quickly.... like Beelitz said, the design must flow with ease, from one element fluently into the next.Once you start getting to grips with the tools and the pieces available, you start to become aware of what feels right and what dont.If youre not happy with something, dont settle for it.....keep toying with ideas, until its perfect.And then, and this is my favorite part, use the Steelworkz SUPPORTS package, to give the ultimate REAL look to your coasters.
I always find it helpfull to terrain the area first, build the coaster.....and then iron out any terraining issues that need sorting...........Remember: there is no set way to building coasters, everyone has different styles, and a different method to building them.Find your own, and whats comfortable for you......practise makes perfect....it really does.

Plan the coaster in your head first. Then start to make the coaster. Don't rush building the coaster. Add Scenery. Or use other people screnery.
: Rct3x Download page
: Rct 3 Beat- Buildings - Could be used as stations.
: Structures - Atari Forums
Hope this helps.