New functions in version 7 – 3D Train Studio UK

Welcome to 3D Train Studio, the latest advancement of the successful model and railway simulation program. Find out everything about the important new features and functions in this article.

First start

If you install 3D Train Studio v7 in parallel with an existing older version, your data will be transferred automatically, so that you can start immediately with your systems in the new version. As in the past, users of an older premium version can buy 3D Train Studio v7 Premium with a discount of up to 30%.

The innovations at a glance

Automate trains with the help of routes that simulate real rail operations, including blocking and releasing route blocks and avoiding conflicts.
Cars and other vehicles automatically head for destinations using route guidance and follow a preselected route via junctions and roundabouts.
Revised signals and track contacts enable easier positioning along the track and simplify the automation of rail operations through individual settings for each signal.
Virtual depots simulate fiddle yards even without tracks. Trains and vehicles can enter any virtual depot and leave at any other depot. Virtual connections, also known as portals, enable any route to be bridged.
The terrain design has been completely renewed and simplified. Tables can take on any basic shape and can be modelled using new and improved tools. Ramps and embankments also have even more design options.
A new height mode simplifies the placement of loads or people, for example on platforms, or the stacking of containers.
There are many more detailed improvements in the areas of event management, extensions of splines, improved performance when loading and simulating systems, new 3D models and much more.

Routes

With 3D Train Studio v7 there is a simple and easy way to simulate complex railway processes safely and without conflicts. With the help of routes, route blocks are defined that are automatically reserved and released by the program, including the correct control of block signals. Conflict situations such as flank journeys, competing reservations or trains waiting in stations are handled just as correctly as slip points or other complex track constructions.

German language video explaining Routes:

Advanced driving physics / route guidance

Advanced driving physics enables a vehicle to drive to a destination, for example a bus stop or a parking lot. The vehicle automatically selects the junctions that lead to the destination. Crossings no longer need to be set, which means that several vehicles can take different branches at one crossroads at the same time.

In this context, the road systems in the online catalogue were revised, optimised and expanded. New road models such as roundabouts, large intersections, 45° branches, constrictions, etc. have been equipped with integrated lanes.

Here is a German language video about extended driving physics in 3D-Train Studio v7 which enables the selection of a destination for a vehicle, for example, a bus stop or a car park. The vehicle automatically selects the junctions that lead to the destination on the right path.

Extensions of signals / track contacts

From 3D Train Studio v7, signals have a visible track contact with a variable distance to the signal. This means that no additional track contact is required to bring trains to a stop a few meters in front of the signal. The offset of the signal from the track is configurable.

Signal properties, such as acceleration and braking values, can be set for each signal position. This enables an automatic stop and start before a signal. Trains automatically accelerate as soon as the signal indicates that they may move.

All signals in the online catalogue have been given new standard values to enable rail operation immediately without the use of additional events.

As of 3D Train Studio v7, signals allow full automation, even without special entries in event management. Each signal position has its own braking and acceleration values, which also affect vehicles waiting in front of the signal. At the same time, the breakpoint in front of a signal can be adjusted using a slide rule.

This is demonstrated in this German language video:

Virtual depots and virtual connections / portals

For the simulation of virtual systems, 3D Train Studio v7 provides new tools. If trains or other vehicles are to be parked in a fiddle yard away from a facility, it is sufficient to drive into a virtual depot. A train is stored in the virtual depot along with its cargo and can later be released from the depot as required.

Another tool is virtual connections, also called portals. Using portals, any route can be bridged without having to lay tracks or roads between the connection points. Trains can be teleported to the other side of the layout, for example below a mountain.

The method of modelling and texturing of the terrain has been completely renewed in 3D-Train Studio v7. Tables now support any basic shape with freely definable dimensions. New tools make it easier and faster to design the terrain heights and the terrain painting. And the Adjust terrain function has also been expanded, with a real-time preview including progression settings.

This is demonstrated in this German language video:

New terrain design

The design and processing of the floor slabs for the site were developed from scratch in 3D Train Studio v7. Tables are no longer limited to pre-set, rectangular or L-shaped basic shapes, but can be designed freely.

New editing tools simplify the modelling and texturing of the terrain, for example, for levelling or smoothing.

The Adjust terrain function for ramps and embankments has been expanded to include a real-time preview and a course option. In addition, floor slabs now also support negative heights, which means that the terrain no longer has to be raised for rivers or water areas.

New altitude mode

The positioning and alignment of objects and items was simplified in 3D Train Studio v7. With the new height mode (stack) activated by default, objects are no longer only aligned with the terrain height, but also with all other models below. Loads can be placed on wagons with just one mouse movement, people can be positioned on elevated platforms or containers are stacked on top of each other.

This is demonstrated in this German language video:

Closing word

As well as these extensions and new functions, 3D Train Studio v7 offers many other improvements which are listed in detail in the List of changes in version 7. The team from 3D Train Studio v7 wish you lots of fun discovering the new features.