NoLimits

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NoLimits Roller Coaster Simulation
Latest release 1.71 / 27 December 2007
OS Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X
Genre Roller coaster designer and simulator
Website http://www.nolimitscoaster.de

NoLimits Roller Coaster Simulation is a software package available for Microsoft Windows and Mac OS X designed and built by a team of programmers and artists led by German programmer Ole Lange. It was first released in November 2001. The package includes two separate pieces of software, the NoLimits Editor and NoLimits Simulator, with a third application, the NoLimits Terraformer supported as well.

Contents

[edit] Software

The 'NoLimits Editor' allows the design of a roller coaster with surrounding scenery. Track editing is based on adjacent bezier curves and allows nearly infinite design possibilities all packed in a CAD-based graphical user interface. Scenery objects can be placed in the editor, provided they are of the .3ds format. The software allows a number of popular roller coaster types to be designed, based on industrially engineered designs.

The Simulator allows the designed roller coaster to be viewed in full 3D, either riding the roller coaster like a rider, or watching it in a third person perspective, from a fixed position or behind the roller coaster train. 3D acceleration is provided by OpenGL. It is also possible to view technical information, such as speed and G-forces. These measurements are nearly exact to real-life situations.

The Terraformer allows the creation of a detailed landscape around the ride area, to simulate an actual environment. It has the ability to change the textures, water levels and placement of trees and other scenery to create a realistic environment. Some designers, who wish for a more flexible terrain design, create large 3D models of terrain, which allow for more complicated elements such as tunnels, buildings, and pathways. The Terraformer was created by Gravimetric Studios for use in the package, and is considered a third party application for use with the official suite.

[edit] Industrial use

According to the NoLimits official website, the software has been used by amusement park related companies showcasing new rides for prospective parks and guests. Such companies include Vekoma, Intamin AG, Gerstlauer, MACK Rides, Werner Stengel, John Wardley and Zamperla. They use a version of the software called NoLimits Pro, which is only available to companies.

Recently, companies have been licensing coaster styles to NoLimits[1], including:

  • Vekoma Motorbike Coaster
  • Vekoma Flying Coaster
  • Gerstlauer Euro-Fighter

It has also been modified as a proof of concept for certain prototype rides, including the Uni Coaster prototype. A demo can be downloaded from the website, which is a customized version of the NoLimits Simulator.[2]

[edit] Available types of roller coaster

Due to the free form style of the Editor and the CAD based interface the creation of different types of roller coasters is not limited by the style of track chosen for the simulation, and as such Wooden roller coasters can have the same elements as a Steel roller coaster, whilst not being "true to life". Below is a list of the track types (with train combinations) that are included in the Simulator.

Track Style in Simulator Real Life Track Style Train Configurations
Classic/Modern Looping Coaster Steel roller coaster Schwarzkopf style, Classic and Modern
Corkscrew Coaster Corkscrew roller coaster Corkscrew (Arrow Dynamics, Vekoma)
Inverted (2 seat and 4 seat) Coaster Inverted roller coaster Bolliger & Mabillard (4 seat) and Vekoma (2 seat, SLC style)
Twister/Floorless/Stand-up Coaster Style Corkscrew roller coaster Bolliger & Mabillard, Sit down, floorless and stand up style.
Hyper Coaster Style Hypercoaster/Gigacoaster Bolliger & Mabillard (4 seat, single row), Intamin AG (4 seat, 2 rows)
Wooden Coaster Style Wooden roller coaster Trailered (2 and 4 seat), Classic (4 and 6 seat)
LIM Launched Coaster Shuttle roller coaster Premier Rides style
Inverted Shuttle Coaster (Face to Face and Impulse) Shuttle roller coaster Vekoma Invertigo style (face to face), Intamin AG Impulse style
Vekoma Flying Dutchman Coaster Flying roller coaster Flying style trains
Gerstlauer/Maurer Söhne Spinning Coaster Spinning roller coaster Gerstlauer/Maurer Söhne style cars
Gerstlauer Euro Fighter Coaster/Gerstlauer Euro Fighter 2 Steel roller coaster Gerstlauer Euro Fighter (1 and 2) cars
Vekoma Motorbike Coaster Steel roller coaster Vekoma Motorbike style trains
Gerstlauer Bobsled Coaster Steel roller coaster Gerstlauer Bobsled style cars
Vekoma Mine Train Coaster Mine Train roller coaster Vekome Mine Train style cars with and without locomotive
Maurer Söhne X-Car Coaster Steel roller coaster Maurer Söhne X-Car style cars with lap restraints, suitable for inversions

Notes

  • Launched track styles are available to any one of the above, so Stratacoasters can be designed using any one of the styles.
  • Hyper/Gigacoasters are possible with any style above.
  • Boomerang roller coasters are possible using the Inverted/Corkscrew coaster style.
  • Many styles can be manipulated to assume different designs, and as such designers regularly use train styles and track designs as a "best fit" for a type of roller coaster, or type of train. For instance, some designers use the Corkscrew style to emulate an Arrow 4th Dimension roller coaster.

[edit] Fan support

Many fan sites have cropped up throughout the internet offering online track exchanges and rating systems for users of the game. Considerable third party software, while not officially licensed by NoLimits, is available for download to enhance the editors capabilities to a very high level of accuracy. Considerable amounts of users use advanced calculus and geometry to create strikingly realistic designs. Combining third party software and 3D modeling software suites users have created accurate representations of such rides as:

and many others, as well as thousands of custom creations all available for download at any one of the many fan sites.

[edit] Tools and use

Several third party tools can be used to create or enhance NoLimits designs. Some tools, such as the Purgatorium and Elementary, can be used separately or together to create entire designs.These complex programs use formulas to shape sections, or elements, of a given design, which can then be put together to create a whole roller coaster track.

Another tool commonly used is the AHG (Automatic Heartline Generator). This tool alters the track design so that the track moves and banks around a central "heartline", lowering lateral g-forces and in some cases making a more realistic design.

[edit] Releases

Version Date Released Changes
NoLimits 1.0 2001 Official Debut
NoLimits 1.2 2002 Updated version of NoLimits 1.0
NoLimits 1.25 2002 Update patch of 1.2
NoLimits 1.26 2002 Minor glitches addressed
NoLimits 1.3 2003 Added wooden coasters
NoLimits 1.5 2004 Redone corkscrew cars and texture in front (which means changing the splash screen during startup), and added shuttle coasters
NoLimits 1.55 September 29, 2004 Update Patch of 1.5
NoLimits 1.6 September 25, 2006 Completely redone car shapes, most textures and brakes, and additional types of cars, e.g. spinning roller coasters
NoLimits 1.7 December 12, 2007 Added Mine Train and X-Car coasters, AVI movie export, extended support functions and some texture improvements
NoLimits 1.71 December 27, 2007 Update Patch of 1.7, fixing mainly a sound issue

[edit] Future versions : Nolimits Version 2

Creator Ole Lange has mentioned in interviews [3] that there is a planned sequel to NoLimits with a brand new engine which will allow for greater graphical accuracy, more coaster styles and more features. A definitive list of features is not yet available.

Ole has also mentioned that he plans to combine NL Editor with the simulator

Although from interviews and forum posts, fans' long awaited inclusion of B&M flying roller coasters and Arrow Dynamics 4th Dimension roller coasters are all but confirmed.

Ole has said that he plans to maintain the NL1.x project while NL2 is still too far away

[edit] External links

Official Websites

[edit] References

  1. ^ Gerstlauer Amusement Rides
  2. ^ UNICOASTER (TM) The Thrill of Speed from Another Dimension :: 4D Rollercoaster
  3. ^ CoasterSims.com - No Restraint E-zine with coaster videos, editorials, and design challenges
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