New features in version 9
Overview of the new features (V9)
Welcome to 3D Train Studio v9 , the latest development of the successful model and railway simulator. Get a short introduction to the new functions in this article, or get started right away and discover the new possibilities:
First Start
3D Train Studio v9 can be installed parallel to an older version of the program as usual. The first time you start the program, the data is automatically transferred so that you can start using your systems in the new version straight away. As in the past, users of an older Professional version receive the new 3D Train Studio Professional v9 at a reduced price or free of charge, depending on whether you use the Plus package . The price will be shown when you activate the Professional version.
The new features at a glance
- An improved 3D representation through realistic lighting effects with spotlights, lanterns, flickering fire and much more. This lets the miniature world shine in a completely new light at night.
- Completely renewed splines that allow the laying of tracks, roads and other flexible paths along the site, including gentle ramps and transitions.
- New vehicle functions and features for improved traffic simulation.
- Support for a dark color scheme for the entire user interface.
- A wealth of detailed improvements, such as simplified editing of groups, new brush options for terrain design, new control options in event management, better support for multi-core processors and much more.
Realistic lighting effects
A miniature world only comes to life with the right lighting. 3D Train Studio v9 supports real lights and lighting effects to make the model seem more alive even at night.
The new lighting is not limited to simple lanterns. Vehicles have headlights that illuminate the vehicle in front of them, telephone booths or advertising signs light up the surroundings, or people can linger in front of a flickering campfire. The new lighting effects enable a completely new layout design.
The central component catalog has been expanded and adapted to include the new lights, so that with the launch of 3D Model Railway Studio V9, many of the existing models already use the new lighting functions. The new keyword category “Illuminated” lists all models in the online catalog that are already equipped with lights. At the launch of 3D Model Railway Studio V9, there are already over 250 vehicles, street lamps, platform lamps, etc. with integrated lights.
New track tools
Laying tracks and roads is a central element in 3D Model Railway Studio. With version V9, the laying process has been greatly improved and now enables the simple and convenient construction of complex tracks along any terrain profile, including gentle ramps and the associated gentle transitions between different gradients.
In addition, a new tool menu supports keyboard input of the most important parameters, such as the track radius or the gradient.
Improved vehicle control
In the area of vehicle simulation, 3D Train Studio v9 supports an individual maximum speed for each vehicle. This makes traffic flow much more dynamic, as vehicles automatically accelerate, for example, when a slow-moving tractor turns off the road.
The simulation of right-of-way rules is greatly simplified thanks to a new function in event management, as any distance between two track contacts can be checked for the presence of obstacles with just one condition.
Wagons no longer roll down a slope accidentally, as they have a parking brake. Braking at the end of a hump can also be adjusted more individually.
Dark color scheme (Dark Mode)
3D Train Studio is used in different environments. In addition to the existing support for high-resolution monitors (high DPI), the new version v9 supports a dark color scheme which creates a more pleasant working environment in some situations. For example:
All menus and user interfaces in 3D Train Studio can use either the dark color scheme in the program settings or automatically align themselves with the system settings.
Go on a journey of discovery
3D Train Studio v9 contains a wealth of detailed improvements that invite you to explore Overview of the new functions (change list). And it’s not just the new functions and options that make you want more, there are also new and improved 3D models ready to try out.
The team at 3D Train Studio wish you lots of fun with the new version v9!