... topic: 2793 extend/shorten to meet background template posted: 26 Nov 2015 11:05 from: Martin Wynne I'm working on a new extend/shorten to meet function, primarily as an aid to using the make transition functions. The intention is that the original templates can be automatically adjusted for length to fit the new transition template. This will avoid the tedious business of zooming in to do that manually. Likewise when adjusting the underlying templates after make diamond-crossing at intersection. The new function will also be useful in other circumstances where the position of a template boundary needs to be moved, for example to enable a turnout to be inserted. Or where a gap or overlap needs to be eliminated, for example before using the roll rails to match function. At present such tasks have to be done manually. It is working quite well (within sensible limits). But I'm uncertain how much misalignment to allow before reporting an error in the original template alignments. In the process I have produced this alert dialog: 2_260617_500000000.png I'm aware ...

... wheel events go to whichever window the mouse happens to be over, regardless of whether that window has focus or whether some other window is showing modal. Except in the case of child windows, where the wheel events now go always to the parent window, and there doesn't seem to be any way for a child window to receive wheel events. What does this mean in Templot? Generally it means that you can zoom the trackpad on the mouse wheel in situations where previously you could not. For example after using the make transition function you will see this dialog: 2_181744_220000000.png Previously, because this dialog shows modal*, it was necessary to use the zoom and pan buttons on this dialog if needed to see the transition curve. That is still the case for the pan buttons, but now in Windows10 you can zoom the trackpad behind this dialog simply by moving the mouse over the trackpad and rolling the mouse wheel. However, I can't remove the zoom buttons because they are still needed in Windows7, and on Wine/CrossOver. There are now ...

... tools> make ladder crossover> make curviform ladder menu item. This will be a shorter diamond-crossing than you have now. Extend it (F4 mouse action) to the required length(s) along the running line. or 3b. if you prefer a diamond-crossing similar in length to what you have now, change the starting turnout to a regular V-crossing. Then click the tools> make ladder crossover> make regular ladder menu item. Note -- you are making diamond-crossings across a transition curve, which is a bit ambitious for a Templot beginner. Ideally the new transition zones will need minor adjustments to create perfect concentricity in the 1st and 2nd radii. However the results above should be close enough for most purposes. I will make a bit of video shortly showing how to make the final adjustments. For your double-junction on the right, have a look at the video -- help> watch a video> Scruff Video curviform double junction menu item. If it won't play on your system, ...

... mind building a copperclad turnout and then adding chairs is shear madness, however I have in practice built a turnout using copperclad timbers at the common crossing, duly raised by 0.5 mm so they are compatible with standard chaired track construction. The reason was to prove that there is an alternative method of building the common crossing for those who are happy to build common crossings in the copperclad construction method, rather than a free standing method For those wishing for added detail the following can be used Bridge chairs, These are used from the transition of block chairs (in either the common crossing or additional slide chair packs) to standard chairs where there is not enough room for a standard chair (either side of 10 used per turnout) these are £8.50 per 100 so after deducting the cost of standard chairs add a few pence to the bill Common crossing chairs A pack contains a set of 5 different sizes (1 -5 ,6 ,7 ,8& 10) At £4.50 if you can use the whole pack then 90p a turnout but a ...

... understand why it is easier to align tracks over an AnyRail plan than over an OS map? Your original plan seemed a close match to the map: 2_191437_230000000.png I was intending to tidy it up for you in places, but if you have now moved to a different prototype presumably this is no longer wanted? Generally the way to get a track aligned over a map is to add 2 short dummy templates some way apart. Adjust them to the map curve using the CTRL+ F10 swell mouse action, and then make a transition curve between them. You can then insert a turnout in it, or split it into new dummy templates to get a better match to the map. See: http://templot.com/companion/swell_function_ctrl_f10.html regards, Martin. posted: 21 Oct 2016 20:43 from: RichardS Hello Martin, thank you for your reply. I don't think it is necessarily easier to align over AR than a map. It seems to be essentially the same process. But what using AR meant was that I could create a ...

... are used as a base for BR turnouts? Hi Damien, The common sizes for slips are 7, 7.5, 8. For turnouts there is a wide range of sizes. Just use F5, and mostly ignore the .25 and .75 angles unless on the GWR. But the local design office could always create a special one-off design if needed to fit. regards, Martin. posted: 11 Oct 2017 16:27 from: Damien Morris Thanks, I'm starting again on my layout design. Definitely going to need transition curves. I'm trying to use a little more artistic licence, as you said the spacing for the branch looks 10ft, but when I do that in templot, put the background image way out. posted: 11 Oct 2017 18:01 from: Damien Morris 0f656aad4077dd60f9f82672920b36e2.p ng Did I do it right? posted: 11 Oct 2017 19:05 from: Martin Wynne Hi Damien, A left-hand B-7 looks about right. The main-line turnout is a D-11. Equalized timbering always looks ...

... a major project without a good working understanding of their tools and some practice using them on lesser projects or just for scrap. But that's not something I seem to be able to get across to Templot beginners. On a separate point, my reply reminded me that after all these years I still haven't found a short word, or even a long one, to mean "concentric/parallel" regardless of curving. One of those can apply only to curved lines, and the other only to straight lines. And neither to transition curves. Any offers anyone? Of all the tasks in Templot, finding the right words is still the most difficult. regards, Martin. posted: 13 Oct 2017 16:19 from: John Lewis Martin wrote:>On a separate point, my reply reminded me that after all these years I still haven't found a short word, or even a long one, to mean "concentric/parallel" regardless of curving. One of those can apply only to curved lines, and the other only to straight lines ...

... The return curve radius in a parallel V-crossing can be adjusted by changing the turnout-side adjacent track centres, or by adjusting the curving of the whole template. As shown in the video. Or by changing the V-crossing angle (F5). Scroll and arrange the info panel so that you can watch the required data while making adjustments. p.s. the parallel type of V-crossing is not often used. It is provided mainly for the situation where you want the loop turnout to be within a transition zone. The disadvantage is that it's not possible to split the exits to insert additional pointwork. If the main road is straight or on a constant radius, it is usually more convenient to use a regular V-crossing, and then tools> make return curve to start the loop, and tools> make double-track TS for the loop track. You then have separate loop templates into which you could insert pointwork. cheers, Martin. posted: 21 Sep 2020 14:08 from: Martin Wynne p.s. ...

... Thank you very much, I will sort out the link between the 3 way and other turnout so they flow together. The beer was very nice last night and thanks to the rain plenty of room to enjoy it. Regards John posted: 20 Aug 2014 17:46 from: Brian Nicholls Hi John, Again you are most welcome. No, it is not the link from the upper 3 way exit road to the RHS turnout that is not aligned, it is the road above the 3 way. I have already transitioned the link between the 3 way and the other turnout, and it fits OK. It's a pity the harbour you refer to is not the same harbour of my home town, we could enjoy a chat and a pint together. All the best, Brian. posted: 20 Aug 2014 18:16 from: Hayfield Brian Thanks, flexi track will be used but I have just adjusted the road. The beer sounds good, If you are in the Sharksfin tonight then more than happy to buy the round Regards John ...

... title of a book. cheers, Martin. Hi Martin. Basic generally! I think this sums up the biggest problem Templot newbies now face. The vast majority come to Templot with the Peco mindset and knowledge base. This can take some shifting in my experience. The only answer is education and yes, I know there is a lot of information available on this website if they care to look for it, but that this is an uphill struggle is all too obvious. Most of the 1980s main line turnouts would have transition geometry anyway that Templot doen't address as an option. Even basic early Flatbottom track data seems to be difficult to find unless one has a copy of the relevant BRT p way books. All we can do is try. Regards Tony. Last edited on 17 Jan 2018 23:38 by Tony W posted: 18 Jan 2018 01:01 from: Martin Wynne Tony W wrote: Most of the 1980s main line turnouts would have transition geometry anyway that Templot doesn't address as an option. Thanks Tony. Indeed. And ...