FVD Elements | The Basics

[@PaulGreggBYRC]

I'm a retired Boeing engineer, and I design and build backyard PVC roller coasters for my grandkids. So far I have been figuring out the dynamics with a spreadsheet using 2D equations, and it's been accurate enough. I'm excited to learn FVD++. This video really helped me. I'll let you know how it goes. First question: I used NoLimits2 for a while, but I couldn't see where I could change the track gauge to match my backyard tracks. Is it possible to vary track gauge in FVD?

[@robdcx]

Now this is cool! As far as I know, you can't change the track width. You can choose from a few pre-set styles with some being narrower than others though. In FVD, the heartline and forces are much more important than the track itself. Let me know how it goes. Happy to help!

[@WolfRaging95]

Very smart to use FVD or NoLimits 2 for that matter to create your design and test it before bringing it to life in your backyard.

[@Projektion2]

Very nice tutorial! it's great to see a tutorial for beginners that's a little bit more user friendly . One tip I think that could get added is that the forces you're playing around with in FVD is based on the center of the train, so if you're making a coaster style that typically features a long train (Intamin hyper/giga, B&M staggered hyper, etc), the forces at the ends of the train will be more extreme than what you're expecting.

[@robdcx]

Thanks for the feedback! I was hoping to create something that was user-friendly, so it's good to hear that it came across. Yup, I definitely left out a lot. I was just trying to get the bare bones of FVD into a reasonably short video. I didn't even touch on functions other than cubic or quartic, or fiddling with the center and tension, or anything any more advanced. I might have to do a follow-up video for intermediate use. If you have any other suggestions, I'd be glad to hear them.

[@vzs01]

When you design an airtime hill for a b&m hyper / giga what exact G force do you set it to? I love your creations btw

[@jumpydashgd4699]

@@vzs01 -0.3 to -0.5 is probably good

[@JacobSteed]

Man you are a life saver. I just got it installed and am having to constantly reference your videos. I'm not an engineer, just been an enthusiast since I was a kid, but I love how accessible you're making this!

[@MRDRAGONFRUIT]

How do you install fvd?

[@I-Am-L]

Wow, I didn't know how much I needed return to zero. Thanks for the alternate version download!

[@robdcx]

No problem!

[@kworkshop]

(FIXED, SEE EDIT) I've seen this question pop up a bit in the comments, but nothing has worked for me. I can't get the transitions editor window to pop up, and I can't even select anything on the forces graph, even though I added a Force track segment. I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling multiple times, and I am using the version you put out in the description. Any help would be appreciated. EDIT: Ok, it's really easy to fix. To anyone else struggling, you just need to click on the last segment of the graph. All the track segments are separated by lines on the graph, so you need to click on the part of it for the force segment.

[@Luca-ph2yg]

Thank you sooooo much

[@bpd678]

i dont get it

[@dillybob3248]

@@bpd678 click on the black line at the bottom of the graph that shows the forces

[@coasternerd6978]

I did that and nothing happened

[@RomanSecundus]

@@coasternerd6978 for me it works if you click the blue line

[@WolfRaging95]

Thank you so much for this tutorial, Robert. I've tried FVD multiple times for an alternative to my designs and have just resorted back hand building because I got discouraged. I think you have helped me get a better understanding of FVD. I've subscribed to you as well. :)

[@robdcx]

I'm sorry it's taken me so long to respond, but I've been crazy busy at work and haven't had time to do much related to the channel at all. I'm glad this was helpful to you! Feel free to leave a comment or let me know if you have questions or need help with a particular element.

[@WolfRaging95]

Robert Dean No worries. :) Thank you for the tutorials. I’ve yet to complete a layout, but still kind of figuring out how to make certain elements. B&M elements can be tricky for sure. I got lucky with the zero G roll. Haven’t quite figured out the others yet.

[@robdcx]

Not sure if you noticed all of the FVD element videos I have showing how to do individual elements. Each video also has a file download of that particular element, so that should help you out some too. Once you get going with FVD, it becomes more and more intuitive. Eventually you'll find that B&M elements are some of the easiest to do.

[@WolfRaging95]

@@robdcx Awesome. I had no idea that you had downloads for each element. That will be very helpful!

[@notsospoopybob]

you have sold me, i am going to have to try fvd now haha, your videos are going to be a huge help with this jump. I've not done much NL2 (40 hours ish) but all of it has been hand built and I was wondering how people got such smooth results. thanks!

[@vzs01]

Thank you for making this tutorial, I've tried to get into NoLimits and FVD around a year ago and couldn't find anything helpful so I kept building my coasters in planco knowing they'll be somewhat unsmooth. This night I was able to build my interpretation of skyrush.

[@robdcx]

I'd love to see that. Skyrush is my favorite steel coaster!

[@vzs01]

@@robdcx unfortunately I lost the file because I didn't unzip it from my downloads folder and therefore couldn't save it in the zip directory, I rebuilt it however lost it again due to a bug of the software going fullscreen on my second monitor without mouse controls and now I built a V3 which differs from the first two builds and features an inversion and finally got to ride it in NL. It is amazing to see such smoothness after now 3 years of creating in planet coaster.

[@IONredline06]

Your a wizard, thank you for showing this.

[@robdcx]

No problem! Let me know if there's anything specifically you want to see.

[@peteroakes7980]

Help! I can only get as far as bringing the force graphs up but I can't understand how to bring up any dialog to control the forces. I can't get that checkbox with "dynamics" written on to come up. There must be some devil in the detail that your video shoots past too quick.

[@official.focuser]

same

[@PFFPtv]

Great tutorial man! I get loads of comments asking how to use FVD and tutorial requests, very useful to be able to send them here as it covers all the basics a whole lot better then I ever could.

[@robdcx]

Thanks! I appreciate that. I have a lot of videos showing different elements along with the associated file downloads, plus a video where I built a coaster start to finish in FVD in real time. I definitely don't mind helping folks out cuz there was a lack of resources when I was first learning the program.

[@PFFPtv]

Robert Dean yeah I agree I really struggled to find the best ways of doing things which lead to hours wasted building rubbish coasters aha so your tutorials are a massive time saver for new people to the program. Your element tutorials even helped me on a few occasions, just wanted to say thanks cause I’m sure a lot of people have gained valuable info off your videos.

[@lemononz]

wherewhere did teh transition editor come from

[@bpd678]

how do u get the transition editer because mine wont show

[@filipeaugustodaniel7131]

Great tutorial! I've made some FVD++ tutorials myself, but I have a feeling that very few people still use it for NL2. I've been meaning to try using NL2's own FVD in-app tool, but it's a bit complicated.

[@robdcx]

Man, I looked at your videos when I was still learning FVD! I think a lot of people are still using it actually. I haven't heard about anyone actually liking the in-app tool at all. As for me, I don't even know how to hand build in NL2 lol.

[@filipeaugustodaniel7131]

@@robdcx haha, we're in the same boat! I'm glad to hear you've seen my videos. It's good that people are still using it. I felt so outdated, haha.

[@robdcx]

Not at all! Your videos were helpful to me when I first started!

[@MrPatrickbuit]

FVD++ is just objectively surperior over the in-app tool, honestly.

[@Ycwbig]

the Transition Editor tab isn’t showing up for me even though i have the force segment selected? any idea on how to fix this?

[@Mogara5]

I'm having the same issue. Have you found any solution?

[@wytzets9344]

I have, you need to add the force section, then go to that section in the graph pane, if you click on the blue line there it'll appear.

[@3rectilefunction200]

Wytze TS that isn’t working for me

[@EtherealProject3D]

This is such a solid tutorial, I am amazed you dont have more subs.

[@robdcx]

Thanks! I really appreciate that. Hope you found it helpful!

[@EtherealProject3D]

@@robdcx Im following along with your Something Whicked series and its really good. I wonder, do you plan on keeping up with your channel in the future? I would really like to see it grow. I started mine a year an a half ago and its been an interesting experience.

[@robdcx]

@@EtherealProject3D I have recently picked up Planet Coaster again and am working on a really detailed park that's inspired by Cincinnati's Coney Island. I'm thinking of uploading a your and some POVs sometime soon. As far as FVD and NL2, right now I don't have any plans. I might just do one-off videos here and there. We'll see what happens. It's a lot of work! Good luck with your channel!

[@paintswithsound]

I'm having zero luck getting the transition editor window to materialize. After creating the first 4 track sections as outlined in this vid, I then added the first actual force section. Then I discovered that I could not edit it as depicted in the video. Furthermore, when I position the mouse in the lower graph area of the screen, all i get is a crosshair icon. No matter where I click or what I click on, no transition editor is forthcoming. What am I missing?

[@paintswithsound]

Re-downloaded the file (while deleting the previous) and all now seems to function properly. Crisis averted. Continuing on with the tutorial. Nice job, btw. Forgot to mention earlier.

[@robdcx]

I was just about to respond. Glad you figured out the problem! Let me know if you have any more trouble. I might be a little slow to respond since I'm going out of town, but I'll get back to you sooner or later.

[@paintswithsound]

Thanks for checking back. If you're still taking requests for FVD element tutorials, I have a rather quirky one that others still might gain insight from. If you're familiar with a classic coaster called Zambezi Zinger, then you may recall that it featured an interesting corkscrew ascent rather than the usual (at the time) vertical lift approach. And rather than a mechanized chain, it employed motorized wheels every few feet to propel the cars up the winding track at a constant speed. It also had a swooping station exit like the Nitro coaster that essentially set you up for the corkscrew ascent (which was technically an upward helix, if I understand your lingo correctly). In your helix/flat curve tutorial, you had a similar concept happening, but the initial helix was preceded by a big drop full of momentum and velocity, which in turn fed the helix. In my scenario, I'm trying to create a similar helix effect with relatively little initial velocity. @@robdcx

[@robdcx]

Sure I remember that ride. I rode it! I love those old Schwarzkopf Jumbo Jets! What your trying to do would be very simple to do - with geometric functions. If you're trying to do it with a force section, you're going to be trying for a long, long time. I'll release a video for you tomorrow that shows how to do it. It took me about two minutes to do!

[@paintswithsound]

Cool. Thanks much. After tweaking on my end, it did occur to me that geometric might be the answer, because force sections keep becoming unmanageable :) Curious how to go OUT of a geometric section at a static speed and then INTO a force section. I used to live in Kansas City in the 70s and early 80s, so I was at Worlds of Fun literally every summer for about 12 years solid. Always loved the Zinger and the Orient Express. Heck, even the Screamroller. I think my first visit was in the park's 2nd or 3rd year of operation, so I saw a lot of changes before even moving away. Now, much of the park is barely recognizable anymore. @@robdcx

[@codyc]

How do you connect the track together at the ends?

[@r-two7615]

Great vid!

[@robdcx]

Thanks!

[@napoleon9501]

Awesome video ☺️👍

[@robdcx]

Thanks!

[@universeman657]

Considering getting NoLimits and learning the program a bit. I learned about FVD yesterday and messed around a bit. I think I have a decent grasp on making basic shapes, but there’s one main thing I am concerned about. If I wanted to make a specific location for a point on the track, whether I am remaking a coaster or lining up track with the station, would it be better to make the general shape in FVD then fix it in NL2, or is there a way to specify position better in FVD?

[@jarnorameijs]

I really don't know why i can't open the transition editor... It just won't pop up. I also can't click the forces.

[@TrueX-xt1ed]

Sir. I love your content.

[@robdcx]

Thanks! I'm glad you like them. I was starting to wonder if anyone was watching. :D

[@TrueX-xt1ed]

@@robdcx I have been here since Something Wicked and I just love it! DO NOT STOP. EVEN IF YOU DONT SEE A DRASTIC CHANGE IN SUBS AND LIKES. YOU ARE NOTICED.

[@robdcx]

Wow, thanks. To tell you the truth, the past few days I was wondering if I needed to scale back a little bit. It takes a lot of time to make videos and my growth is so slow that I wasn't sure it was worth it. But I'm really just doing this because I enjoy it, so I decided not to even worry about. Great to hear that there are at least a few people out there who are enjoying the videos, though. Thanks a lot!

[@TrueX-xt1ed]

@@robdcx Yay!

[@Gliese710_]

my fvd doesnt have transition editor when i make a force section

[@dummythiccjosh4243]

Just wondering what times would you use the lateral display on the graph ,is it mainly for wooden coasters ?

[@inn0version727]

Pretty much anytime you want lateral forces, so yea wooden coasters would be a good use. Sometimes on steel coasters I use very small amounts to get an element shape that I want

[@Celatra]

I want a very quick and concise answer on this. WHAT DOES "warning: transition is X longer than section" mean. HOW do I fix it and HOW do i prevent it.

[@RomanSecundus]

I get this all the time with tutorials. Stuff that they do I can't do, and it's just too confusing

[@TheKingCorgi]

how do i install fvd++ to no limits

[@moonstudio2002]

How do u make coasters on scale on this program? I became good in nl2 but i want to try something new and i want to make sure everything is perfect.

[@idkwhattocallthis1858]

Can you copy and paste elements?

[@mcmillerjr00]

I know this so late haha. But how do I get FVD++ I need this program in my life.

[@MrMule-vw1lq]

There is a couple links in the description to two fvd downloads, one is the one he has and the other is a newer one i think

[@c_enthusiast_x2747]

1:01 At this point of the video, my computer starts glitching. What's happening?

[@robdcx]

Do you mean when you're running FVD or the actual video is glitching?

[@c_enthusiast_x2747]

Robert Dean I mean the actual video.

[@no_one563]

hey, is there any way to design your own track or no?

[@robdcx]

If there is, I don't know how to do it.

[@no_one563]

@@robdcx oh, thanks.

[@al3x14]

Watsup Robert, what do I once I finished downloading the early version with the (return to zero function) extract all ? There I multiple folders when I downloaded it but I don’t know what to do next so that I have the return to zero function in fvd cause right now I don’t have it.

[@robdcx]

Look for the file in the extracted bundle that ends with .exe. If you open that, the program should open. If you already did that, return to zero should be under the different types of functions you can select once you have a force section.

[@al3x14]

Robert Dean ok thanks got it🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@coltvolt7780]

I’m having trouble with the POV part

[@kofi4759]

Thanks!

[@robdcx]

No problem. Hopefully this will help you get going. :)

[@prod.coltvolt9296]

i made my first good coaster

[@buba4267]

This program looks easy but it isnt.

[@realphynix]

i am confused someone help my coaster reality fades before my eyes why are you still scrolling 👁👄👁