Templot Club Archive 2007-2020                             

topic: 477Scanning a plan into background shapes
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posted: 7 Jul 2008 00:45

from:

Steve Evans
 
 

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I am having problems scanning a prototype track plan into Templot. The plan I have is 120 feet to an inch and I have managed to scan it and save the scan into the Shapes box in Templot. However, when I go into background shapes and enter the dimensions, my file does not appear in the Shapes folder. Any ideas where it is going wrong? Also, in the dimensions, it states that if the plan is 40 foot to the inch you should enter 480. Why is this? What is the formula that used to determine what should go in as this value?

Thanks,

Steve

posted: 7 Jul 2008 01:18

from:

Alan Turner
 
Dudley - United Kingdom

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Steve Evans wrote:
I am having problems scanning a prototype track plan into Templot. The plan I have is 120 feet to an inch and I have managed to scan it and save the scan into the Shapes box in Templot. However, when I go into background shapes and enter the dimensions, my file does not appear in the Shapes folder. Any ideas where it is going wrong? Also, in the dimensions, it states that if the plan is 40 foot to the inch you should enter 480. Why is this? What is the formula that used to determine what should go in as this value?

Thanks,

Steve

40 ft to 1 inch = 40x12=480 inches to 1 inch. So the scale is 1:480.

your plan at 120 ft to 1 inch is a scale of 120X12 = 1440 inches to 1 inch ie 1:1440.

Is your scan a bitmap?

Alan

posted: 7 Jul 2008 01:50

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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Hi Steve,

There is a video showing how to get a scanned plan into Templot. Go to the video list page , read the notes, then scroll down to picture shape -- display a scanned track plan as a background guide.

The usual problem folks have is forgetting to save the scanned .bmp file in the C:\TEMPLOT\SHAPE-FILES folder instead of wherever the scanner normally saves them.

regards,

Martin.

posted: 7 Jul 2008 11:51

from:

Steve Evans
 
 

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Thanks Alan.

Martin,

I have followed the video tutorial that you mention and it is during this lesson that I notice a problem. After entering the dimensions, the tutorial loads the image from the Shapes folder but when i try to do the same there is nothing in my folder. If I then navigate to C/Templot/Shape-Files I can see that I have a scanned image saved. The scanner saves the picture as a jpeg file but I have renamed it to end in ".bmp".

Any further ideas?

Steve

posted: 7 Jul 2008 12:41

from:

Alan Turner
 
Dudley - United Kingdom

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Steve Evans wrote:
The scanner saves the picture as a jpeg file but I have renamed it to end in ".bmp".

Any further ideas?

Steve
Then it's not a Bitmap image! It's a Jpeg and Templot only uses Bitmap images. Falsifying the file extension does not, unfortunately, fool Templot!

Why not load your JPeg image into PAINT and save as a Bitmap? Could I suggest you save it as a 1 bit B&W Bitmap as that will not slow TEMPLOT down.

Alan

posted: 7 Jul 2008 16:43

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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Steve Evans wrote:
I have followed the video tutorial that you mention and it is during this lesson that I notice a problem. After entering the dimensions, the tutorial loads the image from the Shapes folder but when i try to do the same there is nothing in my folder. If I then navigate to C/Templot/Shape-Files I can see that I have a scanned image saved. The scanner saves the picture as a jpeg file but I have renamed it to end in ".bmp".
Hi Steve,

As Alan explained, just changing the extension name on a file doesn't change the internal format of the file, unfortunately. You need to set up the correct internal format when the file is first saved.

Did you watch this video?

scan_vid1.pngscan_vid1.png

(click the image above to download the video)

When saving the image from your scanner, select Save As... on the File menu instead of just ordinary Save.

You should then see something like this, as shown in the video:

scan_vid2.pngscan_vid2.png

Check that you are saving in Templot's SHAPE-FILES folder, and use the drop-down arrow on that box to navigate to it if not (1).

Go to the Save as type: box (2) and click the drop-down arrow (3).

Select Windows Bitmap or BMP on the list of file formats (4).

(If there is a choice of BMP formats, choose "24-bit" or "32-bit" or "Full Colour" or "True Colour".)

Then you can enter a suitable name in the File name: box and click the Save button.

If you have already saved the scan in JPG format I recommend scanning it again as above. The JPG format may have lost some of the precision detail in the image. Saving it instead in a loss-less format such as BMP preserves all the available detail, which is why Templot uses the BMP format for background images.

If you are unable to scan it again, you should be able to open the JPG file in whichever program you normally use to edit photographs, or in the Paint program which comes with Windows, and then Save As... it again in BMP format as shown above.

If you follow the rest of the video you will see how to get this saved BMP file to display in Templot.

regards,

Martin.

posted: 7 Jul 2008 17:22

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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Alan Turner wrote:
Could I suggest you save it as a 1 bit B&W Bitmap as that will not slow TEMPLOT down.
Hi Alan,

While it's true that using a reduced colour-depth for the saved image will create a much smaller file and give faster screen rendering, unfortunately the Windows graphics system much prefers to work with full colour images. For example, if you use a monochrome or grey-scale image, you will find that there is a limit to the degree of zoom which can be applied in Templot, similar to the effect in older versions of Windows (ME, 98SE and older). (This problem may not apply to all graphics cards.)

Because we like to zoom in much closer over scanned backgrounds than is normally the case when viewing images, I now recommend that you stay with full-colour images for picture shapes, unless:

a) your system is older or slower (Windows ME or earlier), or

b) you have a monochrome laser printer and want to print the image as part of the printed templates. Not all such printers will convert the colour image to monochrome. You could if you wish save two separate BMP files from the scanner and swap to the monochrome version in the picture shape just before printing.

Otherwise it is better to use a full colour (24/32 bit) BMP image for picture shapes.

However, I'm not sure that I updated this advice in the program Help notes, so I must go and do it. :)

regards,

Martin.

posted: 9 Jul 2008 14:24

from:

Steve Evans
 
 

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Thanks Alan & Martin,

I have now managed to save my scan as a bitmap file and follow the tutorial to the end.  I have managed to click and drag a turnout onto my plan and adjust its location.  My problem now is how do I add straight sections of track and add more turnouts?

Grateful for any assistance.

Steve

posted: 9 Jul 2008 14:50

from:

Phil O
 
Plymouth - United Kingdom

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Hi Steve

To add plain track to an exsisting template.
Click on Template drop down menu New template (quick set) depending on which version of templot you are using.
Convert template to plain track.
Use F7 Shift position to drag the template to near the position you require it should then snap on the end of your exsisting template. If you wish it to be dead straight use the
Geometry drop down menu and select straight for curves use F6 Curving.

If you want to put a turnout or half diamond in plain track select template drop down menu and insert turnout in plain track or ditto for a half diamond.


I hope this helps.

Cheers Phil

PS have a look at the videos in templot companion.
Last edited on 9 Jul 2008 14:54 by Phil O
posted: 9 Jul 2008 22:26

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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Steve Evans wrote:
My problem now is how do I add straight sections of track and add more turnouts?
Hi Steve,

If you are asking that question I think you might be jumping the gun a bit in trying to use a background design as a guide. :( That process can be quite demanding and you do need to be reasonably familiar with the way Templot works before starting on it.

It would be much better to first practise creating small chunks of track and pointwork on a blank pad to get the hang of things. :)

Generally in Templot you seldom need to join templates together. That's one important way in which Templot differs from most other track planning programs. Usually you can extend the existing template, then split off the extended part, insert a turnout or whatever in it, use the tools > make functions, extend the template(s) and split again. Templot keeps everything lined up for you.

For example it is possible to produce a little plan like this, starting from a length of straight plain track, without ever joining anything to anything. Templot does all that for you:

starter.pngstarter.png

There is a video showing this plan being created at:

 http://www.templot.com/martweb/videos/overlay_rough_sketch.exe

I made that video last year as a quick guide for Russ, and it is only recently that I have realised what an excellent introduction it is to the most common track planning functions in Templot. It does in fact include a rough sketch background guide, but I'm minded to remake it without that as a full tutorial video.

Of course, if you do want to join individual templates there are functions for that. Phil mentioned the F7 snapping function (version 082d on), which is quick and easy. Or you can use the full power of the peg and notch functions to join and align anything to anything. But it's surprising how far you can get without ever needing either method.

I recommend that you watch the above video and then practise doing the same and more on a blank pad to become familiar with Templot's methods. There are lots of other videos too at:

 http://www.templot.com/martweb/video_list.htm

Then you will be in a good position to load your scanned track plan and start designing over it. :)

regards,

Martin.

posted: 10 Jul 2008 07:46

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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I wrote:

starter.pngstarter.png

There is a video showing this plan being created.

For those who would prefer to watch this video on a web page rather than by downloading a separate file, I have created such a page at: Simple starter project

regards,

Martin.

posted: 10 Jul 2008 19:07

from:

Steve Evans
 
 

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Thanks Phil.

I have been busy adding track to my scanned plan. Just two further questions. Firstly, is there an "undo" function so that I can undo my last track addition? Secondly, how do I save what I have done? I have used "store to background" as i have gone along but how do I save all my changes at the end of the session? I think I tried to save it in "Box Files". I'll find out later if that was the right choice.

I have already drawn some turnouts and rough plans already on Templot. I have also built a C12 left hand turnout that I drew on Templot and I am halfway through building a D14 trailing crossover - I waiting for some more chairs to arrive from C&L.

I have recently been able to buy some sleeper width strips of ply that are a match for C&L thin sleepering at a cost of €1.90 for 10 x 12" strips. I just "butanone" the chairs to the ply. Obviously, you need to stain the sleeper strips beforehand but it looks so much better.

Thanks for all the help and advice.

Steve
Last edited on 10 Jul 2008 19:10 by Steve Evans
posted: 10 Jul 2008 19:21

from:

Jim Guthrie
 
United Kingdom

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Steve Evans wrote:
Thanks Phil.

I have been busy adding track to my scanned plan. Just two further questions. Firstly, is there an "undo" function so that I can undo my last track addition? Secondly, how do I save what I have done? I have used "store to background" as i have gone along but how do I save all my changes at the end of the session? I think I tried to save it in "Box Files". I'll find out later if that was the right choice.

Steve,

Call up the Storage box - Ctrl B - and in there you have the 'Files' menu where you can elect to 'Save All'.  That will save all your work templates under the default name that Templot gives it,  or you can change the name to what ever you want.

In the 'Do' Menu (0.91c with me) there are Undo and Redo functions,  or you can call them with keyboard shortcuts - Ctrl U and Ctrl D.

Jim.

posted: 10 Jul 2008 21:13

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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Steve Evans wrote:
I have been busy adding track to my scanned plan. Just two further questions. Firstly, is there an "undo" function so that I can undo my last track addition? Secondly, how do I save what I have done?
Hi Steve,

A full answer to this depends on which version of Templot you are using. Have you upgraded to at least version 0.82.d (see help > about Templot menu item)? If you say which version you are using my reply will be less confusing.

Version 0.82.d contains a great many additional features so it's worth upgrading. See version 0.82.d info .

Version 0.91.c contains even more, but the menus have changed again. See version 0.91.c info .

All upgrades are free to existing users.

regards,

Martin.

posted: 11 Jul 2008 11:44

from:

Steve Evans
 
 

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Hi Martin,

I'm using 0.82d but will upgrade to 0.91c before going any further. I must say Templot is a great programme and I really enjoy using it. I had tried to use Winrail in the past but just couldn't get on with it - plus it cost about £60 in 2000 - which must make Templot a bargain.

Regards,

Steve



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