Models (Inserting) After textures and altitudes, the models (also known as objects, props or bins) you use will determine how your track looks, appears and behaves in MTM2. The procedure for inserting a model into your track is really quite simple, so let's take a look at that first. Just as with textures, before you can insert a model into your track, you must have the bin files loaded into Traxx. You can open the models box by using one of the following methods:
At any time, select View/Models from the Traxx main menu. | In texture edit mode right click anywhere in the terrain and select Display Models Box from the pop up menu
Following either of these procedures will bring up the models box.
When you click the open button a windows box will open at the default models folder that you set during set up, and in which will you will find all the models that you extracted from tracks. Select the models you want to use, and click open. The bin file names will appear in the list on the left hand side of the models box and its picture will appear in the view window on the right. Note: you may have to use the slide bars to view it clearly. The selection in the graphic is the starting light.
Important: due to a conflict between windows and traxx, it is advisable to set folder options in windows explorer to uncheck "hide file extensions for known file types." Failing to do this might result in a bad model error later in your track making. To double check whether you have this correct, just be sure you can read the "bin" extension on the file name. Thanks go out to Malibu350 for helping to find and solve this glitch.
Note : for a complete list of stock mtm2 models, the corresponding bin file names and a picture of each, please click here (1576k).
Now that the models are loaded, go to the location in your track where you want them to appear. Still in object edit mode place the mouse pointer in the exact location and right click. Select Insert model from the pop up menu.
This will insert a purple cube in the terrain.
Now, return to the models box, select the object you want to use, and click Apply.
The object will appear in your track. The starting light in this case, for example.
You may drag and drop the object with the mouse for more precise placement. Copy and Pasting Objects In the event that you want to place many of the same objects again and again in your track (for example trees), you can save a lot of time and work by using the copy and paste feature. To do this, highlight the object to be copied with the mouse. It will be outlined in white. Right click the object and select copy from the pop up menu. Now, go to the spot where you want the object to appear again, and right click the terrain and select paste from the pop up.
Copy | Paste
Object Boxes Lastly, there is the case where you will want to just use the object cube, but not apply a model to it. For instance, for the posts of check points, the trunks of trees, or for barriers. To do this, insert the object cube in the same manner described above but do not apply a model to it. Now, double click the purple cube to bring up the object properties box. You may use this to adjust the size of the object cube.
Enter different numbers into the three value boxes to adjust the object's width, length, and height. More on object properties will be discussed in the following few pages. >> Object Properties >>