3D Train Studio V9 - Feature Update

Welcome to the major feature update for 3D Train Studio V9.

Discover new planning and simulation features and expand your miniature world with additional content from the DLC and Steam Workshop!

Camera control

• DLC: New drone mode to fly over the layout from a first-person perspective

• Save any camera view, including categorization, quick access, and control via event management

• Vehicles support multiple cockpit views

• Cockpit views can be moved freely and apply to each vehicle individually

• If an object is centered in the view (“Center Camera”), the camera automatically follows this object until it is moved again

• Rotate the 3D view around its own axis with CTRL + middle mouse button

• Support for explicit camera control for user-defined cameras to reposition them using the keyboard/mouse (in the camera's properties menu)

• A 3D view can be aligned to a user-defined camera (in the camera's properties menu)

• Improved camera control at high altitudes (mountains)

• Smoother camera movements

Simulation

• DLC: Support for Xbox controllers (gamepads) for controlling cameras and vehicles/signals/switches, etc.

• Couplings can be switched directly at the ends of vehicles using the mouse (Ctrl + double-click)

• Visualization of couplings in the 3D view for better differentiation between front/rear couplings (in the control window)

• Walking people remain upright even on hills/stairs, which makes it easier to lay virtual paths

• Selection of objects in simulation mode using the keyboard or a gamepad

• Compact view for the control window to summarize switch actions in a context menu

• In simulation mode, all objects that do not have a control function (e.g., locked turnouts) are ignored during selection

Planning

• DLC: Merge track groups to build turnouts and crossings directly in the layout

• DLC: Tape measure function to measure lengths and distances in the layout

• Share your own layouts, 3D models, textures, and sounds via Steam Workshop

• Brushes for terrain design can be saved in the layout and reused

• When editing or deleting active routes, they are first released to avoid locked turnouts

• Objects are no longer automatically linked when the snap function is disabled

Display

• Ambient occlusion for more realistic shadow rendering.

• Backdrops ignore shadows and light orientation for a more uniform appearance on the layout.

• Virtual depots display the number of trains contained directly in the 3D scene.

• Revised graphics settings with user-defined settings.

• Performance optimizations

Event management

• New action “Activate camera view”

• New iteration “For all routes in a category”

• Access to the route category

• Activate/deactivate direction A/B of a track contact

• New default value [Empty] for “Set speed” to prevent accidental stopping of all vehicles

• “Start/stop animation” supports a user-defined position

• Variable (Advanced) lists the variables of routes

• Lua scripting language

  • New functions “layout:enumRoutes” and “layout:getRoutesByCategory” to determine all routes (of a category)

  • The function “isHeadingToward” additionally returns the distance to the track/track contact

  • Access to “HasEngine” of depot entries

  • Access to the content ID of objects

  • Recently used search texts are saved and automatically reused the next time you search

  • Toggle comments with CTRL + Minus

  • Event logging supports the print output of multi-line texts

  • Support for larger JSON commands for the control interface (256k character length)

Model building

• Support for up to 10 cockpit views per vehicle

• Support for hotspots to switch actions directly on the model with the mouse

• Support for coupling animations

• Model(s) can be automatically aligned vertically, useful for e.g. upright running people or hanging gondolas

• Rotary controls with a speed display now work correctly for vehicles with different maximum speeds

• Special material for backdrops to disable shadows and direct lighting

Miscellaneous

• Fixed a bug with incorrectly forwarded keystrokes in the structure view

• Fixed issues with an unstable internet connection in certain situations