pak64.ho-scale
2010-12-18 by Rainer
2011-09-24 edited by Rainer

The concept
-----------

As there are many ways and styles to have fun with simutrans,
this pakset is dedicated to all friends which like to play
the "modell train" style. It is usable in the usual way as
well, but I suppose the fun for those who are longing for
millions on their account will be reduced.

In general, 1 px represents 22,5 cm, but not very consistent.
Like modell train systems, the trains are a little bit bigger
(some 2 px too wide, track is some 4 px too wide). A
person is some 8 pixels high (like in pak64). The details of
the buildings should fit the scale, but are quite small,
partially.

Disadvantages

- Long locomotives and waggons are cutted into 2 or 3
  pieces.
  
- The far bigger size of the objects needs far more work
  in designing them - especially when cutted.

- Details like bridges and tunnels are somehow tricky to
  realise.

Advantages

- Tracks lying side by side are connected. Complex details
  like track systems at stations are looking far better.

- The bigger size of the trains allows more detailled design.

- The relation between the objects is looking better.

Weighing those facts, I decided to go for the actual size.
Watching convoys changing their direction is always ugly,
so divided units are not making things worse.

Playing
-------

Don't care for money.

Don't care for automated city growth, automated
industrialisation and the like. Switch it off, get the
public player and build everything by yourself.

Care for nice things, combine the objects how you (or your
father?) would do it on a modell train in your living room
or basement.

Do not let the trains turn around. Let 45 deg be the max.
Combine the tracks and switches in the half-realistic
modell train style.

A bridge over a track needs 2 tiles height as minimum!

Allthough the Pakset is basing on pak64, almost all
graphics are new. Just some textures and internal
graphics are not replaced yet.

The main directory contains objects which are behaving
like normal paksets. This part should be playable in the
"normal simutrans style" without problems.
The addon directory contains objects which should be placed
by public player, not by the game, for result would look
hm... "strange" otherwise. They are tricky to use, 
partially. Also all "test units" will appear in this
directory. Have fun!

This is a demo! Do not start complex games! The next
version will not be compatible!

Actual Status
-------------

This second demo contains more vehicles, houses and
other objects, than the first demo, but nothing is
really revolutionary.

Developement status
-------------------

The following objects have been announced in the frist
demo, and are realised now:

- DB BR261 German Diesel loco
- DB E10-12 German electr. loco
- DB E180 German electr. loco
- DB E103 German electr. loco
- some serials of DB coaches, 1965 to 1885
- some more 2-axle freight waggons
- more townhalls
- more city buildings
- simple train station set
- train station set "Hof"
- set "Factory"
- set "Platform Stone"
- Prussian loco with coaches, ~ 1860
- bulk truck
- $surprise (small factory chain, incl. vehicles and stops),
  which is the firebrigade, producing water to fight
  fires. ;-)

More new vehicles:

- Austrian "Eilzug" coaches
- Luxemburg local coaches
- German local coaches
- Loco RENFE 33 (thanks to Xeno)
- Spanish coaches
- Historical "Schwalbacher" Coaches
- Coaches of "Badische Staatsbahn"
- Some steam locos.
- German BR 218 Diesel locos.
- German trainset VT11.5 TEE
- Italien trainset ALn-442-448 TEE

- first road vehicle are present.
- first factories are present

For more details about new objcts see history.txt

planning
--------

- rivers/ships will come later, far later.

- tram will come later.

- narrowgauge undecided.

- air undecided, likely far later.

- climates/season undecided, likely not.

- monorail most likely not.

The first vehicles from other countries than Germany
are present. Kudos to Vilvoh and Xeno!

Todo
----

*

Misc.
-----

The name "pak64.ho-scale" is not carved in stone.
Whoever has a better idea, should shout.

Compatibility should be given to all more or less
actual versions of simutrans standard.

I have to apologise to the inconsistent quality
of the graphics. I started end of 2010 and have
to learn _a lot_!

Contribution
------------

Everyone is welcome to help, critizise, praise or swear.
Bug messages are highly appreciated.

License
-------

The sources (.dat, .png, .xcf) will be published
under GPLv3 when everything is sorted in a manageable way,
and a the set have reached the status of "0.1".

Allthough I doubt heavily that any of the objects are usable
in other paksets, GPL allows this - as long as any redistribution
remains under GPL. There is no need to contact me (or other
authors in future) or to ask anyone for any permission to use,
change or whatever. Just do it and enjoy your freedom - but
protect it!

Every graphic which is fitting the style and size of this
pakset will be happily accepted, when the source is available
and the artist/author agrees in using GPLv3.

Download
--------

http://simutrans.bilkinfo.de/pak64.ho-scale.tar.gz
(1.2 MB)

Thanks
------

I have to thank all the friends who brought Simutrans up to
the actual status. I am watching that project since 2004 and
am really happy to see its growth - as in users and as in
quality, stability, and assortment of paksets. It is an
honour for me to contribute to that project.

Thanks to[1] Penny, Dwachs, Prissi, Frank, Vladimir Slavik
Vilvor, Xeno and all the others for their objects, hints, infos
and documentation regarding the non-trivial system of handling
objects.

May the source be with you!
Rainer

[1] sorted by vogonian ramdom
