This page tracks the visual gap honestly. The first prototype proved interaction but failed the fidelity bar. The rebuild improves composition and cab integration, but the next real leap requires authored GLB cab/station assets, better lighting, and texture work.
Polished sales/poster fidelity: detailed cab, believable station view, product callouts, instructor station, and reporting dashboard.
Functional interactive prototype, but visually reads as untextured primitives and web panels over a low-poly scene.
Cab-first composition with live in-cab displays, physical controls, route/station approach, and minimal HUD.
| Category | Concept | First output | Current rebuild | Next required move |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cab realism | 8 | 2 | 6 | Replace code-built cab with authored GLB console, real levers, switch banks, labels, seat, windshield details. |
| Route realism | 8 | 3 | 5 | Dense station kit: canopy, signage, tactile strips, real rail hardware, catenary, platform furniture, train ahead. |
| Materials/textures | 8 | 2 | 5 | Poly Haven/handmade PBR maps for concrete, rail, cab plastic, glass, rubber, asphalt, grime. |
| Lighting/atmosphere | 8 | 3 | 5 | Rebalance exposure, add interior practicals, screen glow, ambient occlusion feel, better sun/shadows, haze. |
| UI integration | 8 | 4 | 7 | Keep HUD minimal; move more telemetry to cab screens and use instructor/report only when requested. |
| Still-frame polish | 8 | 3 | 5.8 | One screenshot must pass as a simulator product visual before adding features. |
| Developer console | N/A | 0 | 8 | Developer button now opens an 80vw × 80vh implementation console; next add build metadata and asset manifest wiring. |
The Developer button is now part of the QA gate, not a hidden implementation detail.
Top-nav Developer button visible80vw × 80vh modalDeveloper-only labelReturn to Cab close pathNo console errors
The current rebuild should be treated as the interaction-preserving visual scaffold. The next pass must be asset-led, not code-geometry-led. The Babylon.js rebuild start is live and intentionally marks cab/LRT/station assets as pending rather than pretending code geometry is production fidelity.
Authored cab GLBPBR texture mapsHiawatha hero stationlighting passscreenshot gateBabylon.js GLB pipeline