Coasters that work without lifts...

[Plan1]

I was trying to make a very small-scale coaster, like the excellent Boa Constricted, and I can't figure out how the author did it.

What I mean is, right from the beginning, the Boa Constricted track goes up, but without using the chain-lift type of track. It just does up. When I try to replicate this, my coaster cars just slide right back down again.

Am I missing something?

 

[Bullethead]

I was trying to make a very small-scale coaster, like the excellent Boa Constricted, and I can't figure out how the author did it.

What I mean is, right from the beginning, the Boa Constricted track goes up, but without using the chain-lift type of track. It just does up. When I try to replicate this, my coaster cars just slide right back down again.

Am I missing something?

Well, there has to be something that puts energy into the system to make the coaster go uphill. If the coaster doesn't use a chain (or cable or belt) lifting device, then it has to use a launching device. And in PC, there are only 3 types of coasters (AFAIK) that have launchers. 2 are the "Launched" tab and the other is the Typhoon, which can have both a chain lift and/or a launcher.

 

[PlanetChris]

I've we are talking about the same Boa Constricted, the coaster does use chainlifts.
The chainlift needs to be placed after a specific distance, to make sure, that it pushes the coaster.
The coaster just goes up in the beginning, because the station pushes it out. - I guess the exit speed got increased.
You just need to find the right distance for your coaster and it should work for you, too.

 

[Plan1]

Thanks guys, the info is much appreciated. (And yeah, I'm talking about the Boa Constricted from the Workshop, the awesome one with the small footprint and jungle-style decoration.)

I'm not in front of my PC right now, but I know the coaster is the Boa type. Is it possible that there are chain lifts and my game isn't displaying them correctly, or the author somehow hid them?

On my screen, it just looks like the coaster goes up immediately without any push.

Chris, when you say the station pushes it out and the exit speed increases, is that a parameter we can tweak in the coaster? I admit I've spent probably 90% of my time in game so far designing buildings and scenery, so I'm still really noobish with coasters despite just hitting the 100 hour mark of total play time.

IMO Boa is one of the most impressive coasters in the workshop, not just because of the small form factor and design, but because it's still an excellent coaster despite the scale. Also, it looks awesome in jungle parks. [big grin]

 

[PlanetChris]

No, they are not hidden.

How to change the exit speed:
If you click on the station in the coaster editor, you can change the exit and entrance speed like the speed of a chainlift, etc.
Turn up the exit speed to its max. number and just leave the entrance slider, where it is.

=> An important factor of the Boa is its length. - If you want to get longer distances between chainlifts, you will have to increase its number of cars/station size.

How it works:
- The station pushes out the long train.
- It will push the train as long, as a car of it is in the station.
-> No chainlift needed at this point!

- If the last car leaves the station, the train will get slower (and roll back).
-> This is the point on your track, where you need a short chainlift section, which catches the first car!

- It will push the entire train up, as long, as a car is on it.
- If the last car leaves the chainlift, the train will get slower (and roll back).
-> This is the point on your track, where you need another short chainlift section, which catches the first car!

- It will push the entire train up, as long, as a car is on it.
- If the last car leaves the chainlift, the train will get slower (and roll back).
-> This is the point on your track, where you need another short chainlift section, which catches the first car!

- ...

I hope I wrote the description understandable.[where is it]
If there should be any questions - feel free to ask.

 

[LN]

At what settings are your video settings?

I ran low textures a few weeks ago and noticed the following:

- railings on catwalks became solid from a distance.
- other small details went missing, all from viewing from a distance (+/- 50 meters)

Maybe you don't see the chainlift but it is still there.
But maybe it will pop up with a close up.

ps. Now i see wich coaster and yes it is "launched" out of the station into the lift chain further on.
And i know it is personal taste, but i don't know why anyone wants to place this in their park.

 

[Plan1]

No, they are not hidden.

How to change the exit speed:
If you click on the station in the coaster editor, you can change the exit and entrance speed like the speed of a chainlift, etc.
Turn up the exit speed to its max. number and just leave the entrance slider, where it is.

=> An important factor of the Boa is its length. - If you want to get longer distances between chainlifts, you will have to increase its number of cars/station size.

How it works:
- The station pushes out the long train.
- It will push the train as long, as a car of it is in the station.
-> No chainlift needed at this point!

- If the last car leaves the station, the train will get slower (and roll back).
-> This is the point on your track, where you need a short chainlift section, which catches the first car!

- It will push the entire train up, as long, as a car is on it.
- If the last car leaves the chainlift, the train will get slower (and roll back).
-> This is the point on your track, where you need another short chainlift section, which catches the first car!

- It will push the entire train up, as long, as a car is on it.
- If the last car leaves the chainlift, the train will get slower (and roll back).
-> This is the point on your track, where you need another short chainlift section, which catches the first car!

- ...

I hope I wrote the description understandable.[where is it]
If there should be any questions - feel free to ask.

Yes, this is extremely helpful, much thanks man. I booted up PC and messed around with the settings last night. Still a lot to learn, but I'm getting there. I've now got something like 102 hours in and I cannot believe how much stuff is in this game...every time I think I've got a handle on something, I realize there are whole other parts of the game to explore.

Thanks again.

At what settings are your video settings?

I ran low textures a few weeks ago and noticed the following:

- railings on catwalks became solid from a distance.
- other small details went missing, all from viewing from a distance (+/- 50 meters)

Maybe you don't see the chainlift but it is still there.
But maybe it will pop up with a close up.

ps. Now i see wich coaster and yes it is "launched" out of the station into the lift chain further on.
And i know it is personal taste, but i don't know why anyone wants to place this in their park.

Yeah my video settings are at max, I think it's a combination of what Chris suggested -- a very long car and high exit speed. Still really cleverly designed though.

As for why I'd want to put Boa Constricted in my park, most coasters take up a lot of real estate. This one has a very small footprint, yet it's longer -- in terms of ride duration -- than coasters five times its size. It's also thrilling and has great ratings across the board.

Plus, I like the aesthetic.

You're right, not everyone's cup of tea, but I think it's brilliantly designed.

 

[PlanetChris]

Yes, this is extremely helpful, much thanks man. I booted up PC and messed around with the settings last night. Still a lot to learn, but I'm getting there. I've now got something like 102 hours in and I cannot believe how much stuff is in this game...every time I think I've got a handle on something, I realize there are whole other parts of the game to explore.

Thanks again.

You're welcome.
That's true...there is a lot of stuff to explore.

I think it's a combination of what Chris suggested -- a very long car and high exit speed.

It is the combination of both!
- The exit speed is increased to get the train up to the first chainlift.
- The length of the train is important, because it sets the distance, your train can move without chainlifts.