Templot Club Archive 2007-2020
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posted: 12 Jul 2012 19:18 from: Mark C
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I have looked everywhere and find only planned pages on the new site that mention anything about how Sketchboard works. Can someone tell me where to find an overview of how Sketchboard works, if there is such a thing? Thanks. Mark C |
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posted: 12 Jul 2012 20:12 from: Mark C
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Further to previous post... I have been working with Sketchboard for the last hour or so. I can create and modify items OK. But, I can't figure out how to get them onto the Trackpad and move them around. Can someone please give me a very quick primer on how this works? From there on I should be able to figure things out. Thanks. Mark C |
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posted: 12 Jul 2012 20:49 from: Martin Wynne
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Hi Mark, I'm afraid there isn't yet a manual for the sketchboard. This feature has been introduced since the last paid-for version of Templot, and is still a work-in-progress as far as creating the docs for it. I'm really sorry about that. Part of the reason I changed to making Templot free is because I realised the user docs are so far behind the program that it can hardly any longer be called a software product in the normal sense. In effect you have joined a development project rather than downloaded a program.  That seems a daft thing to say when Templot has been going for 13 years in public and 20 years before that, but there it is. To make items on the sketchboard appear on the trackpad, tick the show items on trackpad box at the top-left of the sketchboard window, and then close the sketchboard window. They can't be selected or moved about on the trackpad, to do that you must return to the sketchboard. If you want items on the trackpad which can be adjusted there, ignore the sketchboard and instead use the much older and somewhat primitive background shapes functions at main > background shapes menu item. They do have some help notes on the ? help button, and also at: http://www.templot.com/martweb/gs_bgshape.htm For more information about the sketchboard, there is some information in these development topics, which ramble about a bit: topic 1492 topic 1224 regards, Martin. |
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posted: 12 Jul 2012 22:06 from: Mark C
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Martin, Thanks for the quick reply. The lightbulb just came on above my head. Obviously, I can make a library of items to be imported into any Sketchboard file related to a particular template or set of templates. I assume that I can only have one Sketchboard session shown on the Trackpad at any time. However, any number of Background Shapes could be added to the Trackpad at any time. Am I correct in assuming that the major difference between the two is that the "Background Images" function is for display of items created in other graphics programs and the Sketchboard function is there to enable items to be created and displayed all from within Templot? Thanks for your help. With your permission, once I have gotten much more comfortable with Sketchboard, maybe I'll take a shot at a brief "Overview and Getting Started" document for possible publishing until you get an official version for the New Templot Companion. Mark C |
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posted: 12 Jul 2012 22:23 from: Mark C
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Martin, Another thought: Is there some way that a library of Sketchboard images created by you and others could be maintained on your site? That way users could upload their works of art and download those uploaded by other users. Just an idea... Mark C |
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posted: 12 Jul 2012 22:29 from: Martin Wynne
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Mark C wrote: Am I correct in assuming that the major difference between the two is that the "Background Shapes" function is for display of items created in other graphics programs and the Sketchboard function is there to enable items to be created and displayed all from within Templot?Hi Mark, Not really. The original "background shapes" function was intended mainly for layout constructional features such as baseboard outlines (staging?), turntable wells, traversers, backscene boards, etc. i.e. features which you would probably want included on the printed track construction templates. And also for the "picture shapes" -- scans and maps to be used as a guide in creating the track plan. The sketchboard is intended mainly to create attractive layout diagrams for use on web sites, in blogs, in magazine articles, exhibition guides, etc. And also for control panels and signal box (tower?) diagrams, etc. i.e. all the cases where you want a colourful copy of your track plan design, but not containing full track constructional detail. There is some obvious overlap between these two features, and in future developments they may get merged into a single set of functions. regards, Martin. |
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posted: 12 Jul 2012 22:37 from: Mark C
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Got it. Thanks. | ||
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posted: 13 Jul 2012 04:50 from: Mark C
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Martin, I have been playing around with Sketchboard quite a bit and I think I'm getting pretty comfortable with it. I took a stab at writing up something to be used as a Getting Started with Sketchboard document for the new Templot Companion. Please feel free to use all or any part of this and make any changes you think desireable. Here goes... Templot2 / Sketchboard OVERVIEW The Sketchboard is intended mainly to create attractive layout diagrams for use on web sites, in blogs, in magazine articles, exhibition guides, etc. And also for control panels and signal box (tower?) diagrams, etc. i.e. all the cases where you want a colourful copy of your track plan design, but not containing full track constructional detail. This differs from the "Background Shapes" function in Templot2. The original "Background Shapes" function was intended mainly for layout constructional features such as baseboard outlines (staging?), turntable wells, traversers, backscene boards, etc. i.e. features which you would probably want included on the printed track construction templates. This function can also be used for "Picture Shapes", i.e. scans and maps to be used as a guide in creating a track plan. PRINCIPLES TO UNDERSTAND 1) Sketchboard is linked to one or more Templates on the Trackpad for scaling purposes. The best way to start out is to show All Background Templates in Sketchboard. 2) The best way to start out is for Sketchboard to have all Background Templates added and/or updated automatically when Sketchboard is opened. 3) Items added to Sketchboard should be placed in desired size, proximity and orientation relative to the Trackplan shown. The best way to start out is to have the Sketchboard workspace grow as the Trackplan grows in size. 4) When Sketchboard is Closed or Hidden, any Items added to Sketchboard will be shown on the Trackpad if the Checkbox in the upper left corner of the Sketchboard workspace is checked. These can only be moved by moving them in Sketchboard. Please note that Trackpad>Show Sketchboard Items doesn't work unless the Checkbox in Sketchboard is checked. 5) To use Sketchboard as intended (see Overview, above), select Trackpad>Trackpad Background Options>Hide All Templates when in Trackpad. This will show the only the Trackplan in it's chosen Style along with all Sketchboard Items. To return to normal designing, get rid of all Sketchboard Items on the Trackpad by unchecking the Checkbox in the upper left corner of the Sketchboard workspace and select Trackpad>Trackpad Background Options>Show All Templates in Trackpad. 6) Sketchboard's Control Panel is where you Add and/or Modify Items and make other choices for how Sketchboard works. 7) A copy of the Sketchboard workspace with all Items and the Trackplan can be saved as a *.sk9 file for future Reloading. Individual Items created in Sketchboard cannot be saved for later reloading along with other Sketchboard Items. A Library of images in either bitmap or metafile format must be created outside of Templot. It is not the purpose of this document to teach all the functions and nuances of Sketchboard, but to get you started so you can Learn-By-Doing until such time as Help Files, Tutorials and/or Videos are made available. Happy Designing! |
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