Eye-Level

[fjd1990]

Hi I'm new here and am just wondering how so many users are able to get an eye-level view of their railroad. I've had the game for well over a year now and am still unable to figure this out.

[Jancsika]

Left click on the train, then press "A" on the keyboard. You will be able to manuver the camera with your mouse.

Or

left click on the train, then left click on the camera icon at the bottom- middle of your screen.You will be able to manuver the camera with your mouse.

Jancsika

[karsten]

And for even more impressive results, PAUSE, then CTRL+F. That is how I got this nice shot of Lowell's Mudskipper Map.

Caution, turning up from eyelevel toward the sky too far will crash the game.

[fjd1990]

I tried your advice but I can't zoom in to track-level. It stops just before you can see the sky and horizon. And I can't control the camera with my mouse, only Ctrl + directional keys.

Am I doing something wrong or is my game bugged? Is there some kind of patch I have to install before I'm able to see the trains up close?

[Jancsika]

The only patch is available at Firaxis site:
http://www.firaxis.com/games/downloads.php
I am not sure any more if that includes the camera setup. (it was soooo long time ago)
You will find an other download there: the "Holiday Scenario". Do not use that. It will cause all kind of problems if and when you will be playing custom maps.
Jancsika

[fjd1990]

Just in case anyone is confused, these stills demonstrate the views I wish to attain but can't for some reason:

http://z.about.com/d/compsimgames/1/0/v/w/1/SMR0242.jpg

http://z.about.com/d/compsimgames/1/0/s/w/1/SMR0239.jpg

[Jancsika]

Why don't you zip up your UserMaps folder and post it. We (It's not royal we, but somebody here ) will take a look.
Jancsika

[Lowell]

While playing the game...you can only zoom in and out so far. To take the screenshots like the one you posted...you have to use Ctrl + F then use the arrow keys and mouse left + right, then move the camera angle this will allow you to zoom in way close. My roll-ball mouse makes this easy. For the most part when taking those type shots, the game is paused first.

[fjd1990]

While playing the game...you can only zoom in and out so far. To take the screenshots like the one you posted...you have to use Ctrl + F then use the arrow keys and mouse left + right, then move the camera angle this will allow you to zoom in way close. My roll-ball mouse makes this easy. For the most part when taking those type shots, the game is paused first.

Okay, I tried what you said and I finally got it! It's amazing to see your railroad empire so up-close and personal. I only wish you could zoom in that close while the game was running rather than pausing it, but you can't have everything.

Thanks to everyone who offered their advice, you're all very helpful.

[Lowell]

Well believe it or not you can use the what I call "free camera" even while in-game. It is a tad tricky...and you really have to move the camera in baby steps or the game may just decide to take a nap.
But yes...I have taken close-ups like this in running games.
...and you are very welcome...

[Warll]

How do you do that? I thought it didn't let you go into free camera unless the game was paused.

[Lowell]

Hmm...maybe I was in the game editor and started a test play when I did that.
I will go back and double check, I know I did it a couple times.


EDIT/// Warll you are correct...the game needs paused first editor tests and in-game. I am beta testing anouther train game and it allows that...mind got the two mixed-up. Thanks for the correction