Experimental 3D plug track - up to version 244c

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi Phil,

Can I point out that there is a chair conflict on your crossover.
If you look at timber X11 of TL009 it has an S1J chair in chair position 4, that is superimposed on an L1 chair on the other template.

You can just about see it above, it has this effect on an STL export of timbers only, funny socket holes

There is also a problem a couple of timbers to the left.
For the X11 timber a work around is to use shove timber and untick chairs 4 and 2 on timber X11.
Also I dont know how you "made" your crossing but it looks like you have a rail joint both sides of the chair conflict.
Steve

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Some purely experimental resin timber bases in this case the 3 part of an OO-SF LH B8, plus an extra bit for the exit roads.

And when temporarily clipped together we get:-

Need the wind to drop before applying a scoosh of rattle can primer outside prior to gluing down.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Now for some chair rafts

Top is raft containing 1PL to 4PL.
Bottom 1PR to 4PR.
Both for OO-SF LH B8.

A selection of rafts containing slotted chairs and their corresponding loose jaws.

 

[Phil G]

I find the nibs and snibs function to be a brilliant addition to Templot when it comes to laser cut timbering, and I'm really grateful to Martin for including it.
Previously I had been spending a lot of time outside of Templot in CAD achieving what I was after, the nibs/snibs function saves so much time.

Hi James,
I have just watched you video with great interest, you Idea is almost exactly the same as the way I am planning to do it. hence my questions to Martin. I too was thinking of etching the cork underlay, all be it in my case, I want to also cut out the chair plugs in the cork layer, and the cork layer was only the same width of the track bed to the cess. Then using the same laser program cut the timbers from 2.00 mm plywood, also with the chair plugs cutout.
This should allow plug track to do the gauging, and its simply a matter of dropping in the resin chairs and then adding the rails.
I think you have mentioned in previous post you are using a co2 laser. Mine is a diode current one is 40W output power, I was thinking of upgrading to an 80W output unit but I don't know if it will really gain me much.
phil,

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi Martin,
Just wanted to report a feature or possibly something I've done wrong.
Having used experimental chairing, when I print a group of background templates I am getting a pink [jaw slots] rectangle printed at 90 degrees seen here on a print preview.

Is there a way to suppress this?
Steve

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Now that we are in the position to experiment building a complate turnout, thinking ahead to tie bars, do you have any plans up your sleeve to add a choice of optional 3D printed tie-bars.
Perhaps a choice between:-
a) Prototypical (lots of variations here)
b) Simple and practical bar with holes for pins (vero or lace)
Steve

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Steve_Cornford

Hi Steve,

Make the template the control, then:

I used the symbols functions as a temporary kludge to indicate which jaw options have been selected. To be replaced with something less clunky at some stage.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Martin Wynne]

Now that we are in the position to experiment building a complate turnout, thinking ahead to tie bars, do you have any plans up your sleeve to add a choice of optional 3D printed tie-bars.
Perhaps a choice between:-
a) Prototypical (lots of variations here)
b) Simple and practical bar with holes for pins (vero or lace)
Steve

@Steve_Cornford

Hi Steve,

I have no switch-drive ideas for laser-cut plywood, sorry. I tend to assume those building track with plywood timbering already have their own methods.

For FDM timbering, I'm planning to put grooves in the side of the toe timbers, in between which some resin-printed slider thingy will er, slide. That's one of the advantages of the thick timbers. Linked up to the switch blades with pivoting pins of some sort. Cover with a clip-over lid thingy of some sort, with ballast sprinkled on top of it. Then add cosmetic prototype stretcher bar(s) -- resin printed perhaps. All a bit vague, sort of.

Best not to hold your breath, if you need something working now -- use whatever you are currently using.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi James,
Yes please. I would like to meet up to discuss your laser cutting exploits, especially now that I have watched not only the tra k video, but also the cardboard coach video.
If you want a really even pressure all over the caoch sides when laminating, try a polythene clothes vacuum storage bag.
I found they work a treat, especially on laminating thin ply when small radii are required.
I think yuo have my contact details after I ordered some Make It Miniature parts.
Steve

 

[Martin Wynne]

Hi Martin,
Just wanted to report a feature or possibly something I've done wrong.
Having used experimental chairing, when I print a group of background templates I am getting a pink [jaw slots] rectangle printed at 90 degrees seen here on a print preview.
View attachment 6317
Is there a way to suppress this?
Steve

@Steve_Cornford

Hi Steve,

Please ignore my previous reply to this. It works of course, but it wasn't the correct response to your actual question.

The proper answer is:

Untick the construction symbols tick-box on the output elements dialog.

That controls what appears in the output -- without affecting any track design functions, or what appears on the trackpad, or make the control, or changing anything, etc.

Sorry about that -- I don't know why I keep making so many mistakes lately.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Don't worry Martin as I found it very useful to explore & exercise parts of Templot that I haven't Been to before.
However I can see that your latest answer is the most efficient.
Steve

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Had a thought of moving the tie bar slot webs out a bit to give me a bit more wiggle room:-

No where have I seen something like that before?
Steve

 

[Martin Wynne]

.
Signs of progress on 241b.

Martin.

 

[Phil G]

 

[Michael Woods]

Ready to start my first complete build....

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Steve_Cornford @Phil G @Terry Downes @Michael Woods

I have discovered that it may be possible to fix STL files in Windows without using the online service. If not already installed, get and install a free Windows app called 3D Builder from the Microsoft Store. It's 10 years old, but it will open and seemingly fix STL files.

It's a quirky thing to use -- sometimes the menu bar is such a dark blue that it is all but impossible to see the menu items. Also it might be a battle of wits to get Windows to associate STL files with it. If I can sort that out, I will add a direct button to open the STL in it from the DXF dialog. Otherwise Open your STL file manually from the hamburger icon.

1. after opening your STL file in 3D Builder, click Import Model. The initial view is simply a preview of the file:

2. this option will then appear:

It might take several minutes. After which you can save the fixed STL:

If you click Save rather than Save as it will replace the original STL file from Templot. You may be happy with that -- you could always export it again from Templot if the results are bad. Ignore the message about changing to 3MF format and click Continue.

I've been trying some tests, and it seems the fix is good, at least for us -- Chitubox and Cura both seem happy with the results.

It's encouraging that the change in file size before and after repair seems to be exactly the same as from the online fixer -- suggesting that it is using the same underlying code or functions.

I would be grateful if you could try it and reports results, compared with fixing the STLs via the online fixer service. Thanks.

p.s. Don't get it muddled up with a different program called 3D Viewer -- which can't do any fixing. But Windows will try very hard to open STL files in that if you are not careful. The one you want is 3D Builder.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Terry Downes]

Hi Martin, thanks, great find. I can report that 3D builder works and successfully fixed my 34MB brick stl file. Yes, the UI is a little clunky and the graphics feel like your viewing through smog but hey, its free.

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Terry Downes

Thanks Terry. May I ask a few questions?

Was 3D Builder already pre-installed in your copy of Windows? Which version of Windows?

If it was installed, did double-clicking the STL file open it in 3D Builder? Or somewhere else? Were you able to change the STL file association to 3D Builder? Or did you open the STL manually in 3D Builder?

If you downloaded it from the Microsoft Store, did double-clicking the STL then open ok in 3D Builder?

The reason for asking is that I want to put a direct link in Templot. But there are problems on some systems. On my cheapo Windows11 laptop it wasn't pre-installed. After downloading it, everything worked fine. STL files open in it, and if I wanted to change the STL association in Windows Settings I could do.

On my main Windows11 system it was pre-installed. But there was no way of changing the STL association to open in it. The usual buttons were missing. Googling revealed this to be a common problem with STL files, requiring a Registry hack to fix.

I didn't want to do that, because there is no way I'm going to put Windows registry hacks in the instructions for plug track.

I got round it in the end by uninstalling 3d Builder, and then downloading it again from the Microsoft Store. After that STL files are associated with it, and can now be changed if necessary -- the re-install having fixed the bug.

The upshot of all that is the plug track instructions will need to contain this:

If 3D Builder is pre-installed on you system, uninstall it and the download it again from the Microsoft App Store.

Unless a Windows expert can suggest otherwise. Anyone?

If it was a bog-standard Windows executable there would be no problem at all in opening Templot's STL files in it. Unfortunately it's a Microsoft App confection, and that's easier said than done. The only practical way I know of is to rely on the file association.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Martin Wynne]

.
In 241b:

I'm very nervous about this. I'm terrified of putting anything in Templot which will have me explaining over and over again for years to come how to do Windows stuff.

Please can someone confirm that 3D Builder was already installed and/or was very easily obtained, and double-clicking STL files opens them in it just fine?

If I don't get enough confirmations I will remove this, I just can't risk it.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Paul Boyd]

Hi Martin,
My Windows 11 Home (22H2] does not have 3D Builder installed by default. It was however easy to install from the Microsoft Store after I searched “3D Builder” from the taskbar search button. Once installed, it quite happily opened an STL file.

Unfortunately this means you will be explaining the process to install it over and over again because people won’t read any instructions! Another catch is that some people (like myself) already have and prefer STL files opening with different software when double-clicking. Presumably you can force 3D Builder from within Templot though?

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Martin Wynne]

Presumably you can force 3D Builder from within Templot though?

@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

Unfortunately that doesn't work. Unlike the 3D preview, it's not a normal .exe file. It can be opened directly from Templot, but not with the required STL file loaded. It opens with its object library visible. The only way is to open the STL file instead, and rely on the Windows association being to 3D Builder.

Perhaps someone with more Windows knowledge than me can provide some code? The snag there is that almost certainly something which works on one version of Windows won't work on a different version. It then turns into a nightmare support effort.

Thanks for confirming it works. It's intended only for less-savvy computer folks. If you know what you are doing and have STL files already associated with some other software, you are obviously able to open 3D Builder and do the fix manually.

Having the direct fix option is mainly to ensure that the STL files do get fixed before folks try to print them. Otherwise that will be another support nightmare when the printing goes wrong.

The online fixer is great as far as it goes, but the queueing and timeouts can make it frustrating to use for larger files.

Thanks again.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Terry Downes]

@Terry Downes

Thanks Terry. May I ask a few questions?

Was 3D Builder already pre-installed in your copy of Windows? Which version of Windows?

If it was installed, did double-clicking the STL file open it in 3D Builder? Or somewhere else? Were you able to change the STL file association to 3D Builder? Or did you open the STL manually in 3D Builder?

If you downloaded it from the Microsoft Store, did double-clicking the STL then open ok in 3D Builder?

The reason for asking is that I want to put a direct link in Templot. But there are problems on some systems. On my cheapo Windows11 laptop it wasn't pre-installed. After downloading it, everything worked fine. STL files open in it, and if I wanted to change the STL association in Windows Settings I could do.

On my main Windows11 system it was pre-installed. But there was no way of changing the STL association to open in it. The usual buttons were missing. Googling revealed this to be a common problem with STL files, requiring a Registry hack to fix.

I didn't want to do that, because there is no way I'm going to put Windows registry hacks in the instructions for plug track.

I got round it in the end by uninstalling 3d Builder, and then downloading it again from the Microsoft Store. After that STL files are associated with it, and can now be changed if necessary -- the re-install having fixed the bug.

The upshot of all that is the plug track instructions will need to contain this:

If 3D Builder is pre-installed on you system, uninstall it and the download it again from the Microsoft App Store.

Unless a Windows expert can suggest otherwise. Anyone?

If it was a bog-standard Windows executable there would be no problem at all in opening Templot's STL files in it. Unfortunately it's a Microsoft App confection, and that's easier said than done. The only practical way I know of is to rely on the file association.

cheers,

Martin.

Hi Martin,
The 3D Builder was not pre-installed I just downloaded and installed from the Microsoft store. I'm running Windows 10 home via Parallels VM on an iMac. I opened the stl by right clicking on the file within File explorer.

 

[Terry Downes]

Also, You can see that Windows has set 3D builder as the new default for opening stl files. So, if I double click on a stl file within File explorer now it open 3D builder automatically. I'm not sure if this helps or hinders your dilemma but, my view would be to leave it in as an option.

 

[Paul Boyd]

Also, You can see that Windows has set 3D builder as the new default for opening stl files. So, if I double click on a stl file within File explorer now it open 3D builder automatically. I'm not sure if this helps or hinders your dilemma but, my view would be to leave it in as an option.

View attachment 6364

Hi Terry & Martin,

On my system, installing 3D Builder didn't change the existing default for opening STL files. The joys of Windows!

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Martin Wynne]

Also, You can see that Windows has set 3D builder as the new default for opening stl files. So, if I double click on a stl file within File explorer now it open 3D builder automatically. I'm not sure if this helps or hinders your dilemma but, my view would be to leave it in as an option.

@Terry Downes

Hi Terry,

That's exactly what I wanted and expected to happen.

And did happen on my cheapo Windows11 laptop. Everything works fine. Thanks for confirming it also works running Windows on a Mac.

It means that a freshly created STL file can be immediately opened and fixed by clicking the green bar:

I have added an option to go straight to the Microsoft App Store and get 3D Builder.

Will be in 241b soon.

If only it was that simple. Naturally, as usual in Windows, it isn't. See my next post.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Martin Wynne]

Hi Terry & Martin,

On my system, installing 3D Builder didn't change the existing default for opening STL files. The joys of Windows!

Cheers,
Paul

@Paul Boyd

Thanks Paul.

Here we go again with Windows.

On my cheapo Windows11 laptop everything worked fine -- see my previous post.

On my main Windows11 system, both 3D Builder and 3D Viewer were already installed. STL files were permanently associated with 3D Viewer, not 3D Builder, and there was just no way to change it. The usual buttons and options were missing, and STL wasn't listed at all in the file type list in the Windows Settings.

Googling revealed this to be a common problem, and seemingly the only fix was a Registry hack. There's no way hacking the Windows Registry can be part of the Templot user instructions, so I tried something simpler. I uninstalled 3D Builder, and re-installed it from the Microsoft Store. It worked -- STL now associated with 3D Builder, and what's more the STL association can now be changed to anything else in the usual way, and STL is now in the file list. The 3D Builder installer had seemingly fixed the bug.

But I knew it wouldn't be that simple, and now you say installing 3D Builder did not change the STL association on your system, and it remained associated with something else.

My question would be -- how did you change it in the first place? Because there was absolutely no way I could change it on my system.

Where this leaves us I don't know -- there's no way I can answer Windows support questions from Templot users. I just can't. In Templot I can say do X and the result will be Y. But Windows support is a minefield and I'm as lost as everyone else. I'm hoping someone else on here can step in to help anyone who can't get 3D Builder working.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting for confirmations that the 3D Builder mesh fix is as good as the online mesh fixing, and prints fine. Until we are sure of that, there's no point in continuing with all this. It looks good to me, I'm hoping a few more will report the same.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Paul Boyd]

@Paul Boyd

Thanks Paul.

Here we go again with Windows.

On my cheapo Windows11 laptop everything worked fine -- see my previous post.

On my main Windows11 system, both 3D Builder and 3D Viewer were already installed. STL files were permanently associated with 3D Viewer, not 3D Builder, and there was just no way to change it. The usual buttons and options were missing, and STL wasn't listed at all in the file type list in the Windows Settings.

Googling revealed this to be a common problem, and seemingly the only fix was a Registry hack. There's no way hacking the Windows Registry can be part of the Templot user instructions, so I tried something simpler. I uninstalled 3D Builder, and re-installed it from the Microsoft Store. It worked -- STL now associated with 3D Builder, and what's more the STL association can now be changed to anything else in the usual way, and STL is now in the file list. The 3D Builder installer had seemingly fixed the bug.

But I knew it wouldn't be that simple, and now you say installing 3D Builder did not change the STL association on your system, and it remained associated with something else.

My question would be -- how did you change it in the first place? Because there was absolutely no way I could change it on my system.

Where this leaves us I don't know -- there's no way I can answer Windows support questions from Templot users. I just can't. In Templot I can say do X and the result will be Y. But Windows support is a minefield and I'm as lost as everyone else. I'm hoping someone else on here can step in to help anyone who can't get 3D Builder working.

In the meantime, I'm still waiting for confirmations that the 3D Builder mesh fix is as good as the online mesh fixing, and prints fine. Until we are sure of that, there's no point in continuing with all this. It looks good to me, I'm hoping a few more will report the same.

cheers,

Martin.

Hi Martin

I had Cura set to open STL files, but I'm pretty sure that Cura doesn't just take them for itself so I would have changed it - it was originally set to open with the already installed 3D Viewer if I remember correctly. I've just remotely accessed my PC and sure enough, when I right-click an STL file, then use the 'Open with' option after 'Choose another app', select '3D Builder' then 'Always' - hey presto, 3D Builder is now the default. I can change back and forth at will and the correct "app" will always open the file. It just isn't an issue on my system. The only issue as far as Templot would be concerned is if I had left Cura set as the default.

I totally agree that you shouldn't be a Microsoft support person, but you don't seem to be able to help yourself sometimes!!

Cheers,
Paul

 

[Martin Wynne]

after 'Choose another app', select '3D Builder' then 'Always' - hey presto, 3D Builder is now the default.

@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

My problem was that the "Always" button was missing, and all other means of changing it had STL missing from the list of files.

Not just me -- several reports of the same thing from others on Google. Windows11 fully up to date.

But let's hope I'm just one of an unlucky minority, and it's working fine for everyone else, as for you.

Uninstalling and re-installing 3D Builder fixed it, so I'm hoping it will do the same for anyone else who has the same problem.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

On my Windows 10 pro 3D builder was not already installed so I installed from Microsoft store.
I then managed to open an un-fixed .STL file, then chose "import model" wherupon it reported
that "one or more oblects are invalidly defined ckick here to repair", which i did.
I then chose "save as", but had to change the file default file type of ".3MF" to ".STL"
The save operation repotred that some information might be lost, but I continued anyway.
I then played around with the view of the object within 3D builder:-
this included removing the background fog, and applying a bit of colour & texture (just for fun)

In File explorer all my .STL files are now showing as 3D builder related files.
Being a bit of a luddite I prefer the online mesh repairer that Martin has a button for.
(and love the 3D pre-view button)
Steve

 

[Martin Wynne]

I then managed to open an un-fixed .STL file, then chose "import model" wherupon it reported
that "one or more oblects are invalidly defined ckick here to repair", which i did.
I then chose "save as", but had to change the file default file type of ".3MF" to ".STL"

@Steve_Cornford

Thanks Steve.

How did you open the unfixed STL? The point we are trying to establish is whether double-clicking on an STL file causes it to launch 3D Builder and open the file.

Rather than launching 3D Builder yourself and then finding and opening the file in it.

If it does, we can have a direct click from Templot into 3D Builder without needing to do anything else. i.e. the same as clicking the preview button.

It should work, but if we can't rely on it always working, everything gets messy with instructions needed for changing the Windows file associations.

p.s. if you click the Save icon instead of Save as...:

it will simply replace your original STL file with the fixed one without any faff of changing from 3MF.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

All my .STL files now display the 3D Builder icon next to them in File Explorer, and when I double click them they open in 3D Builder.
I did not consciously change any file association.

The reason I opted for "save as" was so that I could choose a different location for the fixed file, from which I can load for slicing.
I like to keep my on-field and fixed files seperate so that I don't get in a middle.
When I installed 3D Builder from the Microsoft store it launched the app, so I thought I would just test the app. to open an unfixed file by clicking on open option.
Steve

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi Martin.
I have now uninstalled 3D Builder.
This reverted the .STL file association to the Chitubox app.

I then got 3D Builder from the Microsoft Store again but did not open any files with it.
Checked File Explorer and now all .STL files are associated with 3D Builder again.
So it is the act of installing it that also makes the .STL file association, and if I double click on an STL file it opens in 3D Builder.
This is in Windows 10 Pro
Steve
.

 

[Martin Wynne]

The reason I opted for "save as" was so that I could choose a different location for the fixed file, from which I can load for slicing.
I like to keep my on-field and fixed files separate so that I don't get in a middle.

Many thanks Steve.

I agree about not getting in a muddle. Ideally the file name would be changed too, but that also involves the faff of changing the file type from 3MF.

I think perhaps we could have two folders:

Clicking the green bar could cause Templot to put an additional copy of the raw STL file in the "fixed" folder before opening it in 3D Builder.

Then after returning from 3D Builder, Templot could check that the file size has changed, and if so change the file name accordingly. Or if it hasn't, put up a warning message that the STL file still needs fixing (and/or delete it from the fixed folder?).

I promised several users that I would make the 3D printing of plug track very easy and just need a few clicks.

That's not just me trying to be helpful. I am very worried that the further I go with plug track the more and more I am creating an impossible support load of endless explaining for the future.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi Martin,
Having double clicked this is the screen I get:-

Now have to click on "Import model" to get:-

Then click on the "Click here to repair" message to get:-

Then clicking on the menu icon (three bar equal sign) and choosing save, it overwrites the existing .STL file as you suggested
Steve

 

[Martin Wynne]

@Steve_Cornford

Thanks Steve.

What you have described is the normal expected Windows behaviour. So far everyone has reported the same, so it seems that it's just me who ran into problems -- which seem to be associated with having 3D Builder pre-installed in Windows.

Now we need to be sure that the 3D Builder fix is as good as the online service. Have you tried any slicing or printing of STL files fixed in 3D Builder? Everything looks ok here, but I'm wary that what happens on my system isn't always the same as elsewhere, for some reason.

p.s. did you get the belt heater working?

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Hi Martin,
There will always be users that do not bother to read manuals, advice or user guides so there is not much you can do about that.
Microsoft are always moving the goalposts, all we can do is try to keep up!

Once you are happy that PlugTrack can move from Experimental to Released, would you be willing to delegate some of the documentation, including perhaps video tutorials to some of us in the Templot club?
Some of us have already volunteered, and we could produce something that you vet before publication, if that would help reduce the burden.
Regards Steve

 

[Steve_Cornford]

I have received the belt heater and the temperature sensing device (ordered once I heard about the Royal Albion Hotel fire!) and they are on my "to do" list.
This morning I have printed a file fixed by 3D Builder. I noted that it had the same number of slices as the file fixed by the online mesh fixer. Just got to give it a wash etc.

On your windows, if you view the STL files in File Explorer, if you right click on an STL file, do you get an option "Open with"?
If you do, when you choose that option, do you get 3D Builder in the list of available Apps?
If so is there not also a tick box with description that includes the "always" text?

If not, have you tried running File Explorer with Administrator rights?
Steve

 

[Martin Wynne]

On your windows, if you view the STL files in File Explorer, if you right click on an STL file, do you get an option "Open with"?
If you do, when you choose that option, do you get 3D Builder in the list of available Apps?
If so is there not also a tick box with description that includes the "always" text?

If not, have you tried running File Explorer with Administrator rights?
Steve

@Steve_Cornford

Hi Steve,

Everything is working like that for me now. It's all fine.

The problem is that originally the "Always" option was missing (Windows11, fully up to date). It just wasn't there. And looking in the long list of file types at Windows > Settings, STL wasn't listed, so no way to change it there either. I googled the problem and found several others reporting the same thing.

It was all solved by uninstalling the pre-installed version of 3D Builder and getting a fresh copy from the Microsoft App Store. So that's one more thing to be mentioned in the plug track instructions if anyone runs into the same problem. Which of course they may not realise is the same problem if their STLs open without error in some other program.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Martin Wynne]

Once you are happy that PlugTrack can move from Experimental to Released, would you be willing to delegate some of the documentation, including perhaps video tutorials to some of us in the Templot club?
Some of us have already volunteered, and we could produce something that you vet before publication, if that would help reduce the burden.

@Steve_Cornford

Thanks Steve.

It would be great if anyone wants to do that. Many thanks for volunteering.

It's already possible to post user tutorials, etc., if anyone wants to write them. Not just plug track, anything related to Templot or track building. Go to:

https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.php?forums/tips-and-tutorials.25/

It can be anything from a quick tip to a long detailed article. When you click Start new topic you will see this option tab:

Articles are treated slightly differently from ordinary discussion topics, more like a blog, with more emphasis on a longer first post and then "comments" rather than "replies" to it.

But the main thing is the information rather than the format. Wherever and however you post it, it can be linked to from elsewhere if necessary.

I have been a bit reluctant to encourage this for the plug track up until now because I'm so afraid of wasting people's time. You could spend ages writing a detailed article, and then I change something in the next program update, and a lot of it is rendered out of date. That could really put folks off wanting to help.

But perhaps we have reached a stage where things aren't going to change much, just more of the same?

However, this dialog can't possibly stay looking like this as a random jumble of settings:

At present it's just the original DXF dialog from 1998 with bits nailed on. It's going to have to be re-done from scratch with a proper logical layout. I'm not looking forward to doing that -- it's likely to be more work than actually writing the 3D functions.

So please don't create tutorial articles based around this screenshot. Or if you do, be aware that it's just a temporary bodge and an article will need to be edited/re-written with updated screenshots at some stage. It would be terrible if anyone felt they had been wasting their time on it.

There is already this holding page in the Companion:

Which can have links to article topics, or directly include user-written content.

See: https://85a.uk/templot/companion/plug_track.php

There is still so much to do that I'm doubting now that I can do it all myself, so any help would be gratefully received. But please, please, bear in mind that it's all still experimental and constantly changing. Don't spend hours of your valuable modelling time writing stuff that might be out of date within days.

Thanks again.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Steve_Cornford]

Generated by Templot, fixed by 3D Builder, sliced by Chitubox, printed on Mars 2 Pro resin printer.
The elongated slot is to give me plenty of space to experiment with tie bar ideas.


Steve