02-15-2002
this is a read me file about the TD_farmyardscramble.env file; a custom designed Motocross Madness 2 Nationals Race.


this read me accompanies the TD_farmyardscramble.zip file distributed by twisted dirt and harmonic cycle design
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Introduction:

Twisted D.I.R.T. (Designers of Intense Race Tracks)

Team Members:

Scott       X_Xracer
Bruce       AMA_DirtTwister
Randall     AMA_Pop455
Justin      AMA_Kip66
Heiko       ForzaDolor
Pete        GDI_Bulldog
Chuck       X_HoundDog
Jesse       JMS
Kent        X_Kobra
Zack        MoToZaCk
Karl        X_Budderbean
Keith       TNT_Gravy
Fraser      fraser
Thor        X_Mayhem
Randy       X_radRD
Jeff        VRT_MCMnut
Steve       X_WFO
Randy       X_radRD
Marc        X_McD
Mike        mike_mccue
Boyd        Maui_Cool
Ryann       Aus_Rockett

Thanks for your interest in this track. Please contact me with any comments or suggestions at 

mike@harmoniccycle.com

visit twisteddirt.com for the latest in MCM2 info and downloads

Explore harmonic cycle design, 
my virtual mixed media art gallery at www.harmoniccycle.com 
You can download lots of free art, 3d supplies and original music.

Please help me spread the word about my original music. Listen to, or download my original short hair hippy jazz rock tunes at www.mp3.com/mikemccue

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Installation:

Place the TD_farmyardscramble.env file in your ~your MCM2 game folder~/Teraform/Nationals directory


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Description:

 Farmyard Scramble is a fresh new design that I created very quickly over a six day period. It uses lots of ideas learned while riding other designer's tracks.
 Features like the smooth flat turning areas and quick jumps over rough sections come from riding lots of laps on Limestaone Mountain by Old_Robin. 
 The bumpy ruts and grooves are inspired by MCMNut's Dogbite SX. After many many laps on Dogbite I realized that the variety created by the ruts satisfied my appetite for multi line track layouts. I also learned that the racing is more competitive when the lines are so closely spaced.
 The use of Placement maps for locating the trees and bushes is inspired By Maui Cool's vegetation tutorials and the recent scripting work of MCMNut and AMA_Dirttwister regarding vegetation file manipulations. 
 Riding Natural High by X_WFO has shown me how subtle but precise tree placement can help outline and guide you thru the course. Farmyard Scramble uses the vegetation in a variety of ways to outline the course where I might have previously used an object like a banner or haybale.
 When I first saw Fixer's Crosstown it really struck me as cool because I am focusing my interests on making a "realistic" track. The houses in Farmyard Scramble are inspired by the great collection of objects FIXER made for Crosstown. 
 
 My previous tracks have been a mix of settings but they have all tended to be fantasy or surreal designs inspired by skateboarding surfing and bmx. In October 2001 My wife and I took a vacation drive on the Blue Ridge Parkway to see the leaves change. I spent most of the drive looking out the window observing the terrain and vegetation and what I came to discover is that almost everything other than true wilderness has been parceled and bordered with treelines or fences. I became fascinated with the notion that the patterns I was seeing could be used to help create a sense of realism in MCM2 tracks.
 I began an enduro package called Bourbon Slur in November (Look for it someday :-) that depicted a small farm crossroads with several houses and fenced yards, a co-op and silos etc all surrounded by row crop fields and a desert. I made the mailbox, streetlamp, basketball hoop and power pole models at this time.
 You will notice several large Agricultural theme models. The large materials dispersal tank station is a leftover from Alpina Twist experiments. Its one of the models that had to be removed before public release of the track. I was pleased to have it available for use here.
 The water sprayer systems were built just for this track. I had a work related trip in the middle of this project and was lucky enough to observe several sprayers in real life while cruising on the interstate.
 The barb wire fence was made for this track to compliment the treelines along the roadway
 
 This track reflects my personal opinions about splines and track edges. I prefer to use the terrain and objects to enforce the boundaries of the course rather than use a imaginary and invisible line. The splines are deceptively wide. If you cut a corner or overshoot a jump you will be penalized by the course and you will get to see it coming. 
Good Luck.

 So basically the track just popped out of my head on Feb 4th and it took a few days too put all the details together. I think its a fun fun course. Check it out, find a line and hammer away on this one.

Last minute update: 02,15,2002
 I spent today learning how to use MCMnuts Enviroment scripter beta to cast tree shadows on the main tile. Thanks Jeff, It works great. I made the shadows real light because I have not made shadows for the objects or anything on the perimeter. It was fun to learn how to do it. Look for more shadows real soon :-)
 To compliment the new shadows I whipped up a skycube. I like having the mountain range in the scene. Its an each cather....watch out keep your eye on the track he he he.


 I hope you enjoy this custom designed event, look out for other MCM2 stuff from TwistedDIRT and harmonic cycle design. 
thanks,
Mike McCue
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Credits:

Custom Utilities used:
Armadillo Project Manager, Armadillo enviroment Scripter, by MCMNut

Genplacement, Skywalker by AMA_DirtTwister

Test Ride help: h2o_mon

the design work, TD_farmyardscramble.env file, and all contents of the TD_farmyardscramble.zip file are:

copyright 02/15/2002 Michael McCue, harmonic cycle design, Tallahassee Florida USA
contact:  mike@harmoniccycle.com

The twisteddirt name and logo are used by permission from Twisted Dirt. Visit twisteddirt.com for more info.


      
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