Templot Club Archive 2007-2020
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posted: 26 Aug 2013 13:38 from: Richard_Jones
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Hi Martin, It may be a "wish too far", but would there be any possibility of generating 3D views? The thought occurred to me , as having adapted a prototype, the printed templates don't look quite right, and I wonder if I was "able to stand on the end of the platform" (as the photographer had done) if I could then tweak the templates until it coincided with the "evidence"..... I suspect that we may well be talking about crays (super computers, not Ronnie & Reggie) to get enough computing power, but a single point view (ie pick the view point, rather than a "walk through") might not require the combined resources of NASA and CERN. best wishes Richard |
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posted: 26 Aug 2013 15:40 from: Martin Wynne
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Richard_Jones wrote: It may be a "wish too far", but would there be any possibility of generating 3D views?Hi Richard, You can do 3D "walk-throughs" of your Templot track plan by exporting a DXF file and selecting the 3D option. The DXF file can then be imported into any 3D CAD program, some of which are free. If you want to try this I recommend the free demo version of 3rd PlanIt (3PI): http://www.trackplanning.com Here is a 10-year-old web page describing the process of getting Templot tracks into 3PI: http://templot.com/3pi/dxf_3d_hc_3pi.htm Sorry, the page is old and in need of updating. There are about 100 ifs and buts to getting the best results, especially if you actually want to run train simulations over the Templot tracks. I will do an update if there is enough interest. A guide to the camera controls for a "walk-through" is at: http://templot.com/3pi/dxf_3d_3pi_3d_controls.htm Note that Randy Pfeiffer the author of 3rd PlanIt is not in good health, so don't expect rapid replies to emails. regards, Martin. |
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posted: 29 Aug 2013 09:52 from: Martin Wynne
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Here's an example of the cab view 3D option in 3rd PlanIt: http://templot.com/3pi/3pi_ani.gif (Layout designed in 3rd PlanIt by Paul Charland) Martin. |
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posted: 29 Aug 2013 11:40 from: Martin Wynne
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Here's how to have some fun.  I have found the .3pi file and updated the old 2003 notes:Using 3rd PlanIt™ you can visualize your Templot track plan in 3D, add mock-up buildings and scenic effects, and "walk-through" your planned layout on the screen. And to a limited extent train simulations can be run over these Templot tracks on-screen in 3rd PlanIt. 3rd PlanIt (3PI) is developed by Randy Pfeiffer -- see http://www.trackplanning.com A free demo version is available -- download from: http://www.trackplanning.com/download.htm This screenshot view shows the approach tracks to Hopton Clee. These are tracks from Templot using GWR switches: hc_3pi_9.jpg  The turnouts are laid out on a sweeping transition curve. Ballasting is in progress in the foreground. The Santa Fe Railway has running powers over these GWR metals, and a train will shortly be arriving in the bay platform on the left. hc_3pi_2.jpg  Here is my track plan for Hopton Clee. I created it in Templot and then exported a DXF file using the 3D Solid option for the DXF. The screenshot above shows the result after importing the file into 3rd PlanIt. The coloured rectangle is my attempt to sink the sleepers (ties) in some ballast. I added a few sample structures from the 3rd PlanIt libraries to create better perspective effects. • The 3rd PlanIt file for this plan can be downloaded from http://templot.com/3pi/hopton_clee_and_trains.3pi It can be opened and the trains run in the free demo version of 3rd PlanIt. You won't be able to draw additional tracks from scratch in that version or save files, but you can add further trains and buildings from the supplied libraries. Or import your own Templot track plan by exporting it from Templot as a DXF file. If you are experimenting with the above file in the 3rd PlanIt demo, go to: http://templot.com/3pi/dxf_3d_3pi_3d_controls.htm for a handy guide to using the camera controls to "walk-through" the layout, and how to control the trains. For 3rd PlanIt users reading this, this is a UK-style plan in EM gauge. Track gauge=18.2mm, Scale=4mm/ft (5/32"/ft, 1:76 ratio). Sleepers (ties) are scale 9ft long at UK size and spacing. These settings, and many others, can be customized in Templot. The Santa Fe train is now arriving. It's not generally known that the GWR experimented with colour-light signalling on the Clee line! A 2-6-4 locomotive (tender not supplied) is shunting in the goods yard behind the water tower.Caution! If you download the file and run the trains, those are spring points at the entry to the bay platform. You must reverse all the way out onto the main line before running forward again (i.e. the train then runs into the main platform). The 3PI "track objects" needed to make this train running possible are hidden and superimposed on the imported tracks from Templot. Turnouts from Templot can be trailed through either road (i.e. working as spring points), but in the facing direction you can take only the main road. You will need to do some "crane shunting" (in the 2D view) to overcome this.  • p.s. In order to use the DXF import function, you must install the 32-bit version of 3rd PlanIt. (The demo version is 32-bit.) An expanded version of the above with additional screenshots is at: http://templot.com/3pi/dxf_3d_hc_3pi.htm regards, Martin. (no connection with 3rd PlanIt™ or El Dorado Software) |
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posted: 20 Jul 2017 03:57 from: Martin Wynne
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Bumping this topic after making a few updates to the last message, and replying in a similar vein on RMweb just now: http://www.rmweb.co.uk/community/index.php?/topic/14534-freeware-track-planning-software/page-2#entry2791144 hc_3pi_1.jpg  Usual apology for the stuff on the server being 14 years old.  Martin. |
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