Rolling Line News

This is likely the most highly-requested update that the Rolling Line community has been asking for!
The (almost 3 years old) QuickMod system is finally getting the overhaul it deserves.

Just like how the prop modding system is all handled in-game using menus (and a live preview model), this new modding system gives the same treatment to train modding.

PLEASE NOTE:
This is only part-1 of the new modding system, and currently only includes the basic features for making wagons. Locomotive controls and cab customization (and much more) will be coming in future updates!

This means you can now create your own train mods in-game!
You still need to create your 3D models & texture assets in external software, but once your assets are ready you can do everything else using in-game menus.



Making train mods no longer requires messing around with text files and having to re-load your mods over and over again to see changes.

The new modding system has an in-game preview model, which updates in real-time to show what your mod looks like! (and the positioning of wheels, couplers, etc.)



Since all these new tools are in-game, making train mods is now far easier to understand.
I've written a full step-by-step guide on how to create a basic mod using the new system, and how to make use of all the various new features this system uses:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2664192139

I've also made a guide which focuses on how to make animated wheels to use in the new modding system:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2671456640

Some new features included in this new modding system are:

[h2]Animations [/h2]
You can now make full use of animations (using .FBX model files) in your mods!
If you use an animated mesh as a wheel block it will match the speed of the train, which is prefect for animated wheels:



Plus you can also use an animated mesh for the train's body, which can be used for all kinds of things (more options, like being able to toggle animations, will be coming in future updates):



[h2]Presets [/h2]

Something which will make modding far easier is the new feature of "presets".
You can now choose to use any of the wheel blocks and couplers from the official in-game trains and include them in your mod.
This means you don't even need to supply wheel or coupler models if you instead just want to use a default wheel block.



[h2]Decimal wagon lengths[/h2]

Something QuickMod modders will be very familiar with is the annoying limitations of the old "wagon length" system (which was very frustrating).

Well good news! this new system allows for complete freedom with length values, wheel positions, and even simple model offsets.

This means you can set the wheel positions to any decimal value easily, without any extra tweaking.
Mods can now handle incredibly small sizes too! (no more buggy tiny mods)

For example, the tiny mod shown below works perfectly fine in the new modding system:



You can also use options like "model offset" and "flip model" to move/rotate models easily without needing to edit the actual 3D asset.

[h2]Easy coupler editing [/h2]

Another thing that QuickMod modders will love to hear is that setting up couplers is now incredibly easy!

If you are using a preset, then coupler lengths are 100% handled for you, so you don't even need to think about it.
But if you are supplying your own 3D models then there is now an in-game visual guide to help setup couplers correctly:

(the green circle shows you where the "couple point" is)



Couplers can also be any length you like, either super-long or super-small will still work just fine!

[h2]in-game help info[/h2]

A nice quality-of-life feature for this new mod system is these "help" buttons you can find when looking through the various options.

Simply click on these to get a short description of what the setting does and how to use it.



[h2]New example mods[/h2]

Just like with the prop modding system, there are now some example mods (made using the new modding system) which you can find in the folder:
"Rolling Line/Modding/Templates/Train mod examples"

These files include model and texture files for a range of different uses, including examples of animations and advanced features of the modding system.



[h2]Other features and fixes[/h2]

This update changes a ton of stuff behind the scenes, and also includes a few new features:

• Hovering over an item in a thumbnail grid (like workshop maps, mod list, etc) will create a popup tool-tip showing its full name.
  
  
  
  
• The custom livery texture list now shows filenames, so you can use the search function to filter by filename.
  
• Deleting a livery now has an "are you sure? yes/no" popup.
  
• Fixed bug where wagons couplers would not detach when the wagon it was coupled with has derailed.
  
• Interaction with the preview model (for wagons and props) is disabled when capturing a thumbnail. This means you can hover over the preview and click without cloning it.
  
• The livery templates folder has been moved into its own sub-folder, alongside prop templates and wagon templates.
  

[h2]On the Workshop [/h2]

You can find a whole new bunch of "Train Mod" categories on the Steam Workshop now, and these will include both QuickMods as well as mods made using the new system.



If you want to browse a list of only mods made using the new system, click on the new "Train Mods" tag:



Regardless of whether a train mod is made using the old QuickMod system, or the new system, it will still show up in the same mod spawner drawer in-game.

So when you are downloading mods off the workshop you don't need to worry about which system it was made from! You can use them in the exact same way regardless.

[h2]A note about QuickMods[/h2]

Even though this new modding system is being made, old QuickMods will still work perfectly fine.
You can even continue to make QuickMods the old way if you choose to, and any QuickMods you've already made will continue to be supported.

[h2]...And the future! [/h2]

Remember, this is just part-1 of the new train modding system!
There is still much more to come, including custom cab controls, custom audio, lights, steam smoke effects, etc...

This is a massive job, so I'll be releasing these features in stages.
The next part of the modding system on the way will allow you to make drivable locomotives with basic features like preset cabs and controls.
Keep an eye out for that!


But in the meantime, I hope you all enjoy the new modding system!
This is something both I and the community have been excited about for years, so it's great to finally bring this plan into action.

Modding is a key part of what makes Rolling Line what it is today, and it's this amazing community of skilled and creative people that makes this possible!

Today's update adds custom livery support for the new JGR 150 steam loco from the last update!
It also includes some menu UI improvements for loading official maps.

The livery template for the JGR is an "advanced template" which means that it has much more options for detailing than the other steam engines.
Though that does mean it's a little more complicated to work with!



Just as with all the other liveries, you can find the templates in the "Rolling Line -> Modding -> templates" folder.



Plus there's a guide here on Steam that explains how to make your own liveries!
All you need to make liveries is basic image editing software (even MS Paint is fine):

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1405658466

You can find player-made liveries for the JGR simply by going to the Steam Workshop and using the “livery type” drop-down list and choosing "Steam JGR":



As with all other liveries on the Steam Workshop, once you have subscribed to them they will show up in the "trains -> liveries" drawer. Choose the category "Steam JGR" to view only liveries of that type:



To get you started, here's the livery featured in this updates thumbnail called the "Metropolitan Ry. No. 72" made by Dark Derby!

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2644655372

[h2]New menu features [/h2]

This update also adds some new menus to make loading official maps easier!
"Official maps" are layouts that are included in the game by default.

Firstly, these maps have been divided into a few categories:

• "Main maps" - the large major maps like "Top of the south", "Paranapiacaba", "Santa Fe", etc
  
• "Mini maps" - the smaller maps like "Hanmer Springs", "Puzzling World", etc
  
• "Custom maps" - the template maps which are used as examples to help you start making a map
  

And you can now access all of these maps from the pause menu! (instead of needing to go back to the main menu):





The main maps also now have a new fancy UI which shows a few extra screenshots!
You can click on these to view them larger:





This update also includes a few fixes:

• Fixed material bug on the pullman passenger wagons
  
• Fixed various small mesh bugs on the JGR 150
  
• The Halloween menu is now back to normal (the Hanmer Springs menu)
  
• Lots of the menu thumbnails for things like "new game", "load game" etc have been changed
  

And that's all for now!

I hope you all enjoy the new liveries!

Time for the 2021's Halloween update!

This time I've gone with a bit of a Victorian gothic theme and added a classic British-style small steam engine alongside a gothic cathedral map!

There's a whole bunch of new cathedral architecture props and of course all of the classic Halloween props and features from previous years.

[h2]JGR 150 Steam engine[/h2]

Wohoo! finally a new steam engine officially added into the game!
This one is a lovely little British-style loco built in the UK but operated in Japan in the 1870s. It's officially known as the "JGR Class 150".

Liveries for this loco will be coming in a later future update.

Thank you so much to Corporal Crunch who made the amazing original QuickMod of this loco!





[h2]Cathedral Gothic map[/h2]

The second main part of this update is a new Victorian gothic themed map. Some of you might recognize this architecture from an Easter Egg, well i decided to expand these models and re-work them into usable props that you can now use in your own maps!

The tower in this map is inspired by the Dom Tower of Utrecht



There is even a full interior to the cathedral building!



You can access this map from "main menu -> new game" like all the other built-in maps:



Along with this map, all of the props used can now be found in a new drawer (Buildings -> cathedral):



[h2]Other Halloween stuff[/h2]

Of course you can also access all of the classic Halloween items added in other updates!
This includes all sorts of things from new decoration props to ghost trains.
The best part though is a loot pumpkin which you can open to get special train variations (and tons of candy)



As well as these 'loot pumpkins' you can find the whole drawers of Halloween themed props in the
"Misc -> Halloween 18/19" drawers:



These props include gothic-style fences & gates, various decorations, light-up pumpkins, gravestones, colored lights, hanging lights and even a bubbling cauldron:



And of course the ghost trains!
You can get them as rare rewards from opening the loot pumpkins, and there are a bunch of different wagons and locos (Including a ghost version of the new JRG steam engine)



You can turn on the special Halloween skybox (seen on the main menu) by going into the "weather & time menu -> advanced" and turning on "Halloween mode"

You can find the main menu map on the Steam Workshop here:
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1901286392

[h2]Other fixes and features [/h2]

• You can now make use of a "steam_2_4" and "steam_4" wheel presets in QuickMods (from the new steam engine wheels)
  
• You can also use the new whistle "steam_jgr" in QuickMods
  
• Fixed issue with select lists (like the quickMod livery list) resetting to page 1 when an item is selected, and resetting the search term
  
• Fixed issue where including a ' character in save names would cause problems. this character is now automatically removed for saves and mods
  

Remember you can find all the wheel presets and horn/whistle values listed in the official QuickMod guide here:

https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=1789707835

I hope you enjoy the new steam train and map, and of course, Happy Halloween!

Today's update adds a whole bunch of quality-of-life improvements!

Things like:

• A search function for searching through mods/maps/liveries/etc
  
• Thumbnail grid lists are now used in more menus, like the workshop update list.
  
• The livery spawning drawer has been re-designed
  
• The pause menu now has new options for "your maps" and "downloaded maps" to make finding layouts easier
  
• The QuickSave function has been cleaned up a bunch
  
• The backups menu is far easier to use
  
• Grid lists for the legacy QuickMods and QuickTerrain drawers
  
• Full list of screen resolutions for PC
  
• Lots of bug fixes
  

Since Rolling Line has been getting updates for over 3 years now, it's got lots of "old" and "new" parts, and this update finally cleans up a few of the features that needed upgrading.

Things like finding mods, workshop maps, liveries etc is now made much easier with thumbnail grids and a search function!
So you can type in parts of a maps name (and tags for mods!) to narrow down the list.



Typing in tags like "animal" "japan" "roadside" "prop" etc will work with mods!
(these tags are the same tags on the workshop)

Searches are not case-sensitive (so capital letters don't matter) and the text you type just has to be contained in the name/tags to show up.

You can find the new search option all over the place, simply click the search icon at the top of a list and type in your search text!



[h2]New pause menu design[/h2]

This update also re-designs how you find and load maps from the pause menu.

There is now a dedicated set of buttons up the top for:
- "your maps" (local save files)
- "downloaded maps" (saves you've downloaded off the Steam workshop)

There is also a shortcut to the "new save" option up top too!
So all of the map loading & saving options are now in one place.



From these menus you can easily access your local & downloaded saves with an easy-to-use thumbnail grid! (and of course you can use the search feature)



[h2]Expand option lists into thumbnail grids[/h2]

For some menus (like livery options, weather presets, etc) there is now an option to "expand" the options list and view all the options as a thumbnail grid.

From here you can click an option to highlight it:



[h2]Livery drawer re-design [/h2]

The livery drawer now works just like the mod spawner drawer, so it has a thumbnail grid + the livery type can be switched using the category drop-down-menu at the top.

You can also set the category to "all" to view all liveries at once.



The livery names have also been cleaned up a bit to be more consistent, e.g. all steam trains start with "steam", passenger wagons with "coach", freight with "freight" etc
This makes searching through them easier!

The legacy QuickMod and QuickTerrain drawers also use the new thumbnail grid UI too.

[h2]Better backup list[/h2]

The saves backup list (Pause menu -> Manage saves -> backups) is now much easier to navigate thanks to the search option and a much larger list view.

You can also now hover over each backup to see the type (session quit, save over, exit, etc) and the date + time the backup was made:



[h2]Full resolution options list[/h2]

An annoying limitation that you may have noticed before is that the PC resolution list only showed the first 10 options. Well it now lists all possible resolutions for your screen:



[h2]And some more stuff:[/h2]

As well as all the UI features, this update also includes:

• Fixed collision on one of the "path" terrain pieces
  
• Fixed the "refresh" button for layouts (which stopped working a few updates ago)
  
• QuickSave now works much better, and will never save over the wrong map. QuickSave will be blocked unless there is definitely a valid save to copy over (this applies to pressing F5 too)
  
• Prop mods are no longer re-loaded when spawning from the drawer UI
  
• Fixed an issue where the old legacy room menus would get stuck on menus like "capture thumbnail" and "quickSave"
  
• Might have fixed an issue with the sun and moon defaulting to directly upwards
  
• Fixed issues with custom posters & flags not being packaged properly sometimes
  

That's quite a lot of stuff to cover!
Every now-and-then I need to do these updates which package together a ton of quality-of-life improvements and fixes that have been stacking up.
But it's always worth it to get these things done!

Enjoy!

I hope everyone enjoyed the International Layout Jam!
There were over 100+ layouts submitted and I'm blown away by the level of variety and creativity that has gone into these maps.
People really made the most of the "international" theme and made locations like: Iceland, Viet Nam, Italy, Jamaica, Switzerland, Japan, France, Cuba, Brazil, Ecuador, India, China, Belarus and even Antarctica! (plus many many more)

I love seeing maps based on countries that you don't often see in media, and this event was full of those!

Just like with all the previous jams and competitions Rolling Line has had, I've put together a collection of my personal highlights from the event.
And here they are!



You also view the poster here:
(click to enlarge)



Please don't worry if your entry wasn't included on the list!
With over 100+ entries, there were still so many more maps that I would love to acknowledge that didn't make it into the favorites compilation.

Here are all the Steam Workshop links for the maps mentioned above:

[h2]Row 1:[/h2]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2603887980&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2609973329&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2601229629&searchtext=

[h2]Row 2:[/h2]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2604361854&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2618751444&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2608900335&searchtext=

[h2]Row 3:[/h2]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2604491537&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2607130484&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2619326832&searchtext=

[h2]Row 4:[/h2]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2617288232&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2600639910&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2619598609&searchtext=

[h2]Row 5:[/h2]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2616590983&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2598761717&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2616880443&searchtext=

[h2]Row 6:[/h2]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2610462414&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2606404810&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2598821474&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2602859986&searchtext=

[h2]Row 7:[/h2]
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2612956186&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2607835332&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2609158721&searchtext=
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=2603955637&searchtext=

And that's just the ones I included in my favorites!
I highly recommend you go on the Steam Workshop and look under the "international railway jam" tag to have a look for yourself at all of the entries:



Thank you all so much to everyone who took part in the event!

These jams are always so great for inspiring people to make some really unique maps, and I love seeing what people come up with.

So far there has been:
- Color Comp
- Compact Comp
- Fantasy Livery Jam
- Hallowed Cove Comp
- Snow Globe Jam
- Railroad History Jam
- International Layout Jam

Which one was your favorite?



I wonder what the next one will be...
We shall see!

In the meantime, go and have a look at all the new awesome maps on the workshop, and keep an eye out for the next update! (its going to be a whole bunch of quality-of-life features, leading towards some big updates on the horizon).

Enjoy!