Texture Transparency

[Sgt_DeBones]

Does the simulator's luminous emissions allow for cosmetic manipulation of light textures? Could it be possible to use a transparent texture like a lense to create authentic signal customizations?

Example: Light texture behind a transparent shape or pattern to create a signal type like LED lights

LA Metro junction signal (straight path)

Screenshot 2025-05-19 102531.png (118.13 KiB) Viewed 18693 times

LA Metro Motorman Beacon (crossing condition signal), white version

Screenshot 2025-05-19 103347.png (33.51 KiB) Viewed 18693 times

LA Metro transit signal (street running traffic light)

Screenshot 2025-04-25 183009.png (68.87 KiB) Viewed 18693 times

[NJTFAN1235!]

These could so work for Simvliet 2020's tram lines, to simulate streets sharing with cars.

Wait, a motorman beacon? But, it's just a light, where in LA can you find them?

[Sgt_DeBones]

Wait, a motorman beacon? But, it's just a light, where in LA can you find them?

Crossing condition signal, called the Motorman Beacon

Screenshot_2025-05-23-09-42-34-670.jpg (88.55 KiB) Viewed 18612 times

It's at all crossings on one or two crossing signals except the few that aren't owned by LA Metro, in which would be a standalone signal within the light rail's private RoW. In the example above, it's on that one signal which is bidirectional. If it's on two separate crossing signals, it's usually unidirectional, one per direction.

[JeffT]

Does the simulator's luminous emissions allow for cosmetic manipulation of light textures? Could it be possible to use a transparent texture like a lense to create authentic signal customizations?

Example: Light texture behind a transparent shape or pattern to create a signal type like LED lights
Screenshot 2025-05-19 102531.pngScreenshot 2025-05-19 103347.pngScreenshot 2025-04-25 183009.png

Light Sprite is problobly the best metod and is what "I think" the simulator uses today.
Look at the tail lights on the RSG2 train.
Nice work on the signals by the way.

[Sjoerd]

Yes it is possible. Make the light itself as a shape which is only visible when the light is "on", and set the texture for that shape to emit light when it is shown in the simulator (this isn't done on the tecture itself, but on the reference to that texture-file in the object file).
I have used this on multiple of my train models, with the headlights (like on the modern Glasgow Subway trains).

[Sgt_DeBones]

Ok, perfect! The lights in my examples are squares with RGB emissions placed inside the signal heads with a transparent texture pattern in front of it. This was something I wanted to see experimented more in the simulator to not just include headlights/ditchlights but signals too. I remember Beta 2 having incandescent textures for the ZUB signals.

[NJTFAN1235!]

There was a beta 2? I only have heard about Beta 3.

[Michiel]

Back in the days you had first person character mode: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SKytKtzjbM0

[NJTFAN1235!]

Well, that answers it, we need that function in Beta 4. That way, if you're in Activity AI Mode, you can experience riding as a passenger. Lets say in AI Weekday. Basically, you can walk down the steps, use elevators.

[Michiel]

We got Metro station simulator beta for that.