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TEMPLOT 3D PLUG TRACK - To get up to speed with this experimental project click here.   To watch an introductory video click here.   See the User Guide at Bexhill West.

  • The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed. Some of the earlier pages of this topic are now out-of-date.

    For an updated overview of this project see this topic.   For some practical modelling aspects of using Plug Track see Building 3D Track.

    The assumption is that you have your own machines on which to experiment, or helpful friends with machines. Please do not send Templot files to commercial laser cutting or 3D printing firms while this project is still experimental, because the results are unpredictable and possibly wasteful.

    Some pages of this and other topics include contributions from members who are creating and posting their own CAD designs for 3D printing and laser-cutting. Do not confuse them with Templot's own exported CAD files. All files derived from Templot are © Martin Wynne.
  • The Plug Track functions are experimental and still being developed.

    For an updated overview of this project see this topic.   For some practical modelling aspects of using Plug Track see Building 3D Track.

    The assumption is that you have your own machines on which to experiment, or helpful friends with machines. Please do not send Templot files to commercial laser cutting or 3D printing firms while this project is still experimental, because the results are unpredictable and possibly wasteful.

    Some pages of this and other topics include contributions from members who are creating and posting their own CAD designs for 3D printing and laser-cutting. Do not confuse them with Templot's own exported CAD files. All files derived from Templot are © Martin Wynne.

Extracting a 3D timbering brick from a track plan

Quick reply >
That’ll do! I still understand Roman numbers,

I wasn't very serious :) -- I think I can do numbers as on a 7-segment display, without too much work.

How about a barcode?

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4061
I wasn't very serious :) -- I think I can do numbers as on a 7-segment display, without too much work.

How about a barcode?

Martin.

That’s a shame, we could have had a topic on how to read Roman numerals 😀 7-seg style will also do!

How about a tally system? Straight lines again 😀. (I do actually still use that occasionally!)

Cheers,
Paul
 
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message ref: 4062
How about a tally system? Straight lines again 😀. (I do actually still use that occasionally!)

Yes, me too. I'll see how I get on with 7-seg first. Rather than on a splint, a separate tab derived from a label shape might be easier -- it wouldn't be affected if the splint gets adjusted or deleted afterwards.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4063
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

How about a brick number which looks like this -- 170-136-102 ?

i.e. the RGB code for the brick colour. It could be added automatically along every splint. It would be unique to each brick and not need any user input. For reference it could appear on the menu:

brick_number.png


Clicking it shows the colour dialog to change it, if needed (for the selected template).

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4076
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

How about a brick number which looks like this -- 170-136-102 ?

i.e. the RGB code for the brick colour. It could be added automatically along every splint. It would be unique to each brick and not need any user input. For reference it could appear on the menu:

View attachment 3488

Clicking it shows the colour dialog to change it, if needed (for the selected template).

cheers,

Martin.
Hi Martin

I've been mulling that over (instead of working!). I definitely like the idea of having a precise colour definition because some of the palette colours are very close to each other so not necessarily easy to distinguish on the screen. My other thought is that the splints would have to be quite long! How about merging two ideas - have the RGB code on a tab? You previously mentioned doing something based on name labels. I think the tab position may need to be adjustable. Or would it? Probably not if it was effectively just a sideways extension of a section of web.

This would be a great way of positively identifying a random brick picked up from the bench, more so for a plain track brick.

Cheers,
Paul
 
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message ref: 4077
@Paul Boyd

Thanks Paul.

I was trying to find something which requires no input from the user. But it's tricky, because not all bricks may have splints (or clips).

I'm thinking now that if there are any label shapes in the brick (usually only one), the export will write the colour ref on it to create a number tab. Or any other ref the user has specified as the label text (if it's doable in 7-seg, e.g. FHP34 is doable, KRW18 isn't). Sized to match the splints. The user would place this label tab attached to the brick somewhere convenient. It would be lost in the ballast as the splints.

If there are no label shapes, the DXF export will add one, placed centrally within the brick. It might be lucky and miss all the clips and sockets, but not be very readable if there are timbers running over it! A warning will appear, so that the user can delete it, or cancel the export, go back to the trackpad and move it to a sensible place.

This illustrates a frequent problem in Templot, where something which looks simple isn't. Templot can easily create a number tab. But where to put it, so that it is attached to the brick but not conflicting with anything, requires a human eye or some serious programming.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4078
@Paul Boyd

Thanks Paul.

I was trying to find something which requires no input from the user. But it's tricky, because not all bricks may have splints (or clips).

I'm thinking now that if there are any label shapes in the brick (usually only one), the export will write the colour ref on it to create a number tab. Or any other ref the user has specified as the label text (if it's doable in 7-seg, e.g. FHP34 is doable, KRW18 isn't). Sized to match the splints. The user would place this label tab attached to the brick somewhere convenient. It would be lost in the ballast as the splints.

If there are no label shapes, the DXF export will add one, placed centrally within the brick. It might be lucky and miss all the clips and sockets, but not be very readable if there are timbers running over it! A warning will appear, so that the user can delete it, or cancel the export, go back to the trackpad and move it to a sensible place.

This illustrates a frequent problem in Templot, where something which looks simple isn't. Templot can easily create a number tab. But where to put it, so that it is attached to the brick but not conflicting with anything, requires a human eye or some serious programming.

cheers,

Martin.
Hi Martin

I think you're on the right track (sorry!) with the label shapes. If we have to move it, we have to move it! I think I'd be inclined to use the 7-seg "font" on a tab with just the RGB code, or maybe a user entered numerical value.

Ultimately though, it is all manageable without having the bricks identified on the print - it comes under "nice to have"!

Cheers,
Paul
 
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In case I forget to mention it ever again, when the control template is a "brick template", the gauge indicator on the info panel shows orange instead of the normal yellow:

control_is_brick.png


This is just an easily visible reminder while extracting bricks from the track plan, there is no significance related to the track gauge.

The control template becomes a "brick template" when stored while in bricklaying mode, or if a stored brick template is copied back into the control. Or you can set it as a "brick template" manually as above (program menu), so that storing it will create a stored brick template regardless of whether in bricklaying mode or not.

The control template is never itself included in DXF/STL exports, it must be stored as a background template to be exported.



In a further design change, exporting a timbering brick will now include only templates marked as a brick template as above, instead of being based solely on the marker colour. This avoids conflict with the use of marker colours for other templates in the track plan which happen to be in the storage box at the time of export.

This means that timbering bricks created prior to version 234a will not be exported from 234a until the templates have been marked as brick templates as above.

234a released soon.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4104
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In case I forget to mention it ever again, when the control template is a "brick template", the gauge indicator on the info panel shows orange instead of the normal yellow:

View attachment 3500

This is just an easily visible reminder while extracting bricks from the track plan, there is no significance related to the track gauge.

The control template becomes a "brick template" when stored while in bricklaying mode, or if a stored brick template is copied back into the control. Or you can set it as a "brick template" manually as above (program menu), so that storing it will create a stored brick template regardless of whether in bricklaying mode or not.

The control template is never itself included in DXF/STL exports, it must be stored as a background template to be exported.



In a further design change, exporting a timbering brick will now include only templates marked as a brick template as above, instead of being based solely on the marker colour. This avoids conflict with the use of marker colours for other templates in the track plan which happen to be in the storage box at the time of export.

This means that timbering bricks created prior to version 234a will not be exported from 234a until the templates have been marked as brick templates as above.

234a released soon.

cheers,

Martin.

Hi Martin,

Sounds good! Will brick templates be obvious in the storage box, in much the same way that library templates are?

Cheers,
Paul
 
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@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

I haven't done anything about that yet. Stored templates are indicated with their marker colour, if set. So if you set aside certain marker colours to be used only for bricks, that would provide an indication:

colours_in_box1.png


In the list I could probably add a letter B alongside the colour patch for brick templates.

Not too sure how to indicate it for the drawing, but I will think of something:

colours_in_box2.png


p.s. today I'm working on the 7-seg code for the brick labels. So far it is looking ok, although I haven't made an actual print yet. Might get 234a released overnight. :)

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4112
Hi Martin,

Sounds good! Will brick templates be obvious in the storage box, in much the same way that library templates are?

Cheers,
Paul
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

Now done:

brick_box_indicator.png


Brick templates are marked with a B in the list. I had to move it over a bit to leave space for the reminder blobs.


brick_box_indicator1.png


When showing the drawing, there is a B in the margin for brick templates.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4135
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

Now done:

View attachment 3532

Brick templates are marked with a B in the list. I had to move it over a bit to leave space for the reminder blobs.


View attachment 3531

When showing the drawing, there is a B in the margin for brick templates.

cheers,

Martin.

Hi Martin

That looks really good, thank you. At the moment I’m working on a copy rather than the original, mainly because of all the partial brick templates. This way of managing the bricks means I’m more confident of working on just the one file. Of course, if I were to change anything I’d also have to update the brick templates but that’s much better than having two files to change.

Looking forward to the next update!

Cheers,
Paul
 
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A few screenshots of brick labels.

Setting the width of the label tabs. The default is 12" wide with 7-seg style characters. The tab thickness matches the splint thickness:

brick_label3.png



DXF export:

brick_label4.png



STL after online fix:

brick_label6.png



You can have a much larger tab if you prefer -- this is 36" wide (12mm):
brick_label5.png


I haven't implemented any option to skew the label from horizontal on the trackpad grid. I have to draw the line (!) somewhere, or it never will be finished. Maybe one day.

The default sizes may get changed in the light of experience.

The label text must begin with a # character. If left blank Templot will insert the RGB colour code for the brick colour, as above. Or you can use any label text you wish, providing it begins with a #. But bear in mind that for rendering as 7-seg only these characters are supported:

0 - 9
upper case A C E F G H L P U
=
-
underscore _
space renders as underscore _
# renders as -

This means the leading # renders as a dash. Which helps to read the tab the right way up if the 3D print isn't too clear.

All other characters render as a hamburger =

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4146
I haven't implemented any option to skew the label from horizontal on the trackpad grid. I have to draw the line (!) somewhere, or it never will be finished. Maybe one day.

It's now become clear that to have the label tab at a readable size, it must be able to be skewed at an angle to fit between the tracks or the timbers.

So I will get on with that. It means another day or two before I can get 234a released.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4147
.
In order to skew the label tabs at any angle I have had a rethink.

The label text is now drawn on a modified splint, and the background label shapes play no part in the 3-D exports.

I have made a very scruffy bit of video to explain the process:

https://flashbackconnect.com/Default.aspx?id=C-Jmd_OgSUjS5isyOWlhMQ2


To set the width of the splints and labels:

index.php


You can also now set the thickness of the text on the label.

I will explain it all properly one day.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4160
.
In order to skew the label tabs at any angle I have had a rethink.

The label text is now drawn on a modified splint, and the background label shapes play no part in the 3-D exports.

I have made a very scruffy bit of video to explain the process:

https://flashbackconnect.com/Default.aspx?id=C-Jmd_OgSUjS5isyOWlhMQ2


To set the width of the splints and labels:

index.php


You can also now set the thickness of the text on the label.

I will explain it all properly one day.

cheers,

Martin.

I like that!
 
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Version 234a is now on the server with several new functions related to FDM printing of timbering bases.

It's a bit involved, and easy to get in a muddle. I'm wondering if I have made the whole thing more complicated than it need be? But it is a complex subject.

If you are not interested in FDM (filament) 3D-printing of timbering bases, you may want to ignore all this. :)

From the beginning of time it has been possible to display background templates in a marker colour. That's very useful for indicating different areas of a track plan, such as goods loops or carriage sidings, say. Or simply to have a clear indication of the template boundaries:

p4_egg2.png



There is no change to any of that in 234a, but there is a new function which makes it easier to use:

fdm_bricks1.png


If that box is ticked, every time a background template is created while track planning, it will have that marker colour applied to it. Click the colour to change to a different colour. Untick the box to revert to using normal colours.

The above works regardless of whether you want to do any 3D printing.

The late Gordon Stolliday was an enthusiastic user of Templot's marker colours, I think he would have liked this new feature.



In 234a there is a new category of template called a brick template. By itself that doesn't do anything except mark the template as a brick template. You could assign any meaning to that you wish. For example your brick templates might be all the flat-bottom templates if there are both FB and BH, or all the templates having 9ft timbers if some other ones are 8ft-6in., or some other sub-category within your templates. You could make the similar distinctions using marker colours if you preferred, if you are not using them to represent areas of the trackplan.

There are several new functions to manage brick templates -- grouping them, saving them, deleting them, and to mark them as brick templates:

fdm_bricks2.png


program menu:
fdm_bricks3.png


fdm_bricks4.png


fdm_bricks5.png



Notice that there is a sub-set within the brick templates -- current brick templates. Current brick templates are those brick templates for which their marker colour matches the colour set on the panel:

fdm_bricks1.png


If you change that colour, so the current brick templates will be reselected, if any, to match.



However the intended use for the above new functions is in connection with 3D-printing, so more about that next.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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As always, within minutes of releasing a new update, I notice something wrong. :(

This menu item is not displaying or clicking properly:

fdm_bricks6.png


It's intended to show the marker colour for the clicked brick template, in RGB format as on the brick label, and clicking it allows the marker colour to be changed. Will be fixed in 234b.

All is not lost, because the marker colour can be changed as before:

fdm_bricks7.png


cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4188
Hi Martin

I've had a quick play and I really like this. You intimated that it might be too complex, but I think it needs to be how it is. I found the add clip at notch function, that's really nice.

What I particularly like is the brick management, with the ability to hide brick templates, and show only brick templates etc. Being able to save all the brick templates as a separate file, then delete them all to keep the underlying plan "clean" is really nice, that gives another option for managing things if a user prefers. Showing/hiding brick templates would make it much easier to spot if an underlying template had been changed though.

One thing I did notice is that in the shapes window there's a rectangle/3D slab option. I assumed this is to create a slab the same thickness as the splint but couldn't work out how to get this to export to the STL file. The shape is set to be a solid, and the export has a colour assigned to solid background shapes. Of course, it may not have been implemented yet or more likely I've not set an option somewhere!

I'll now get on with sorting out real bricks for printing!

Cheers,
Paul
 
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Showing/hiding brick templates would make it much easier to spot if an underlying template had been changed though.
@Paul Boyd

Thanks Paul.

Group one or more brick templates. Dab SHIFT+CTRL+HOME to show/hide a group of templates.

I will look at a specific show/hide brick templates if I can find a spare key on the keyboard.

The slab rectangle is mainly for resin-printing as a raft under the chair supports, it's not really intended to be part of the timbering bricks. But it should work for all DXF/STL exports if you wish. To make it work you have to set a non-zero thickness here:

slab_3d.png


I haven't actually tried it in 234a to see if it is still working -- I may have wrecked it with some other brick changes. :confused:

I was about to write a follow up to my previous posts, but got distracted by family stuff. I'll write again later.

cheers

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4190
Hi Martin

It does still work in 234a! The only thing I found was that even if both the show on trackpad and show on output boxes were unticked, the shape would still export to the STL file. I'm guessing that's not intentional?

I wouldn't worry too much about a keyboard shortcut for show/hide brick templates, but maybe (yet another!) button at the top of the screen? Even then, I think the menu options are fine as they are.

Cheers,
Paul
 
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message ref: 4191
It does still work in 234a! The only thing I found was that even if both the show on trackpad and show on output boxes were unticked, the shape would still export to the STL file. I'm guessing that's not intentional?
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

So it does! :)

But note that if you tick the box for the chair support slab, the entered Z dimensions will be ignored, the rectangle will go below the track and gain a rebate all round, as a resin-printing raft.

Those show boxes on the background shapes dialog were mainly intended for background maps and picture shapes. I haven't yet given them any thought for the DXF/STL exports. But now that you have mentioned them, it's an obvious way to have a shape-specific option for the export -- currently it is all shapes or none. I will include the show on output option for the export in 234b. Thanks for the nudge. :)

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4192
I wouldn't worry too much about a keyboard shortcut for show/hide brick templates, but maybe (yet another!) button at the top of the screen? Even then, I think the menu options are fine as they are.
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

Here you go:

fdm_bricks8.png


Dab ALT+HOME to show/hide the brick templates.

I'm always wary of using the Alt key in shortcuts because Windows has a lot of system functions on the Alt key which can interfere with things. But this seems to be working fine. Will be in 234b.

(There is also an annoying Windows menu function on the F10 key which I have to work around. Windows makes some of the Word shortcuts work in all applications, for reasons known only to Microsoft.)

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4197
Those show boxes on the background shapes dialog were mainly intended for background maps and picture shapes. I haven't yet given them any thought for the DXF/STL exports. But now that you have mentioned them, it's an obvious way to have a shape-specific option for the export -- currently it is all shapes or none. I will include the show on output option for the export in 234b. Thanks for the nudge. :)

cheers,

Martin.

That would be great! You must know by now that whatever something is intended for, someone like me will come along and try to use it in a completely different way 😀

In this case, I intended using the rectangle shapes to join the ends of three tracks at a wagon turntable, whilst providing a good base for said turntable. I know I could just use splints though!

Cheers,
Paul
 
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.
@Paul Boyd

BUG WARNING

There is a bug in 234a -- the brick clips claws / tommy bar setting is not saved correctly in BGS3 files.

Sorry about that, I will get it fixed soon.

Martin.
 
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My first real brick printed and in place! I had to do this now as dropper wires are about to be soldered on which will pass through the brick.

The label tab worked out well. I set it to 5mm width and the RGB code is perfectly legible. It’ll be cut off, but I really just wanted to see how it worked. I also used the new RG chairs, with 0.5mm depth, and they’re perfect! Although this particular brick and the rails were laid over a template, I found the web made it hard to see the sleeper ends on the template, although the sleeper centre was visible, but the RG chairs lining up with the template rails sorted that. Remaining bricks to the right won’t be laid over a template which is where the RG chairs will really come into their own.

Although the brick is printed in PLA, I’ve found that butanone works well as a solvent. I wouldn’t want to do anything structural with PLA and butanone but it’s fine for this. I buy butanone in bulk rather than the expensive, silly little bottles sold to modellers! I’m also conscious of having good ventilation.

Thanks very much for this feature, Martin!

Cheers,
Paul
 

Attachments

  • 43D845CE-EEE2-42BA-9A15-FB98EA754C56.jpeg
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@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

I have now implemented the rectangle shapes as another brick component -- slabs. They can be twisted to any angle and sized to whatever you want. By default the same thickness as the splints, but can be any thickness. They can be added anywhere you like (but if placed under the chair sockets the sockets will be reduced in depth and blinded). Unlike using splints, each slab can be a different size.

Various uses spring to mind, such as on bridge decks, or as platform spacers. Or a screw hole could be drilled in them as a fixing tab.

slabs.png


slabs1.png


n.b. when used as support rafts, any twisting is ignored.

Will be in 234b shortly.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4262
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

I have now implemented the rectangle shapes as another brick component -- slabs. They can be twisted to any angle and sized to whatever you want. By default the same thickness as the splints, but can be any thickness. They can be added anywhere you like (but if placed under the chair sockets the sockets will be reduced in depth and blinded). Unlike using splints, each slab can be a different size.

Various uses spring to mind, such as on bridge decks, or as platform spacers. Or a screw hole could be drilled in them as a fixing tab.

View attachment 3642

View attachment 3643

n.b. when used as support skates, any twisting is ignored.

Will be in 234b shortly.

cheers,

Martin.

Gosh, that's brilliant, thank you! I really like the idea of using these as platform spacers. Signal bases could be another use. So many possibilities!
 
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message ref: 4265
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

234b now on the server. :)

I will write more after a break.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4267
Just been having a play - this is working really nicely. I think I found a couple of "quirks" but nothing that stopped anything - I'll have another go tomorrow evening and make sure it wasn't me forgetting something or doing something silly. I understand why you find writing user guides - my own notes are out of date already!!

The brick in the screenshot is real, and will be printed at the weekend!

brick2.PNG
 
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I think I found a couple of "quirks"
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

Yes, since releasing 234b earlier I have already started on 234c to fix a couple of quirks. :)

There are several changes in 234b for the timbering bricks. After all these years I have finally kludged my way around the restrictions of the original BGS format, to allow additional functions to be added to the background shapes. It was obvious the slabs needed a twist function, but there was just no way the twist angle setting could be forced into the old format. It was a lot of work to fix, with dozens of changes scattered all through Templot, and I'm sure I have missed a few. But now that we have a new internal format, the background shapes can be expanded in future in several ways if needed. I should have done it years ago.

bricks_234b1.png


A shape can now be marked as a brick shape, so there is no need to swap the trackpad to view them.

If 1 is ticked, adding a shape will mark it as a brick shape. If 2 is ticked, it will be given that marker colour to match the current brick templates, otherwise it will be set initially to light grey.

Option box 3 is now honoured in the DXF/STL exports, so individual shapes can be switched on and off if needed.

The menus at 4 contain the additional functions and settings for brick shapes.

bricks_234b2.png


5 can be used to mark or unmark the selected shape as a brick shape.

If you have any BGS3 files with brick shapes from earlier versions, you will need to go through them and tick this box 5 for each one. Sorry about that, experimental stuff can be a nuisance at times.

There are new menu functions:

bricks_234b3.png


bricks_234b4.png


and bug fix from 234a:

bricks_234b5.png


and a shortcut for the brick track templates:

bricks_234b6.png


The slab thickness is set on this button, at least for now:

bricks_234b7.png


The slab rectangles can be twisted, moved, sized and corners dragged manually by mouse action.

N.B. to set a specific slab size, this must be done before any twisting by entering the original square-on dimensions:

bricks_234b9.png


bricks_234b8.png


After twisting, the corner co-ordinates are not available to see or edit.

I will try to get a video done showing these functions being used.

There are a few other changes -- I have improved the legibility of the 7-seg characters, and adjusted the default size of the timber webs for better slicing in Cura.

I'm hoping that the timbering can now be left for a while so that I can get back to the switch and crossing chairs. :)

But I shall have to come back to it, because at present none of the above is yet reflected in the printed paper templates or PDF or other outputs.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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Tinkering continues in 234c: :)

bricks_234c.png


A new tickbox to restrict the flanges and webs to show on brick templates only. This makes the screen far less cluttered. Default is on.

I have also changed the default on the chair outlines to show the sockets only, which is all you normally need to see when working on the timbering. This makes for a much faster screen response when you have a large trackplan.

Will be in 234c before too long.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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message ref: 4272
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

Yes, since releasing 234b earlier I have already started on 234c to fix a couple of quirks. :)

There are several changes in 234b for the timbering bricks. After all these years I have finally kludged my way around the restrictions of the original BGS format, to allow additional functions to be added to the background shapes. It was obvious the slabs needed a twist function, but there was just no way the twist angle setting could be forced into the old format. It was a lot of work to fix, with dozens of changes scattered all through Templot, and I'm sure I have missed a few. But now that we have a new internal format, the background shapes can be expanded in future in several ways if needed. I should have done it years ago.

View attachment 3649

A shape can now be marked as a brick shape, so there is no need to swap the trackpad to view them.

If 1 is ticked, adding a shape will mark it as a brick shape. If 2 is ticked, it will be given that marker colour to match the current brick templates, otherwise it will be set initially to light grey.

Option box 3 is now honoured in the DXF/STL exports, so individual shapes can be switched on and off if needed.

The menus at 4 contain the additional functions and settings for brick shapes.

View attachment 3648

5 can be used to mark or unmark the selected shape as a brick shape.

If you have any BGS3 files with brick shapes from earlier versions, you will need to go through them and tick this box 5 for each one. Sorry about that, experimental stuff can be a nuisance at times.

There are new menu functions:

View attachment 3650

View attachment 3652

and bug fix from 234a:

View attachment 3651

and a shortcut for the brick track templates:

View attachment 3653

The slab thickness is set on this button, at least for now:

View attachment 3654

The slab rectangles can be twisted, moved, sized and corners dragged manually by mouse action.

N.B. to set a specific slab size, this must be done before any twisting by entering the original square-on dimensions:

View attachment 3655

View attachment 3656

After twisting, the corner co-ordinates are not available to see or edit.

I will try to get a video done showing these functions being used.

There are a few other changes -- I have improved the legibility of the 7-seg characters, and adjusted the default size of the timber webs for better slicing in Cura.

I'm hoping that the timbering can now be left for a while so that I can get back to the switch and crossing chairs. :)

But I shall have to come back to it, because at present none of the above is yet reflected in the printed paper templates or PDF or other outputs.

cheers,

Martin.

This is all really good, and I must admit that I was wondering when you'd be going back to chairs! The timbering functions as they are now are perfect for what I need.

One of the glitches was me - I'd forgotten to set a couple of templates as brick templates. The other was probably also me, where I'd added a target mark/brick clip then wondered why it looked like a target mark - I hadn't clicked the appropriate button!

I like the ability to turn off chair outlines, flanges and webs for non-brick templates in the next version - as you say, things can get a bit cluttered. (I'll now admit that I'd just been looking for it in 2.24b - it's been a long week!)

The icing on the cake, with jam on top, would be to have all the 3D export settings saved, with the ability to save a different settings file for different purposes. But I'll let you get back to chairs - I have a text file with a list of the settings to change!

Cheers,
Paul
 
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Ah - I know what another quirk was! If I add clip at notch, it shows as a target mark. I then have to modify shape then untick and re-tick brick shape for 3D export. Was that one of the quirks you picked up?
 
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Ah - I know what another quirk was! If I add clip at notch, it shows as a target mark. I then have to modify shape then untick and re-tick brick shape for 3D export. Was that one of the quirks you picked up?
@Paul Boyd

Hi Paul,

Yes. :) I thought I had tested everything, but there is always something!

The icing on the cake, with jam on top, would be to have all the 3D export settings saved,

Yes, they will be. The first priority was to make it all work. I can now go ahead to create a more comfortable user interface, and move all the scattered menu items into a single dialog.

p.s. I noticed on your screenshot "Estimated cost £61.84". What's that about? I doubt it will use 3 full rolls of filament?

cheers,

Martin.
 
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p.s. I noticed on your screenshot "Estimated cost £61.84". What's that about? I doubt it will use 3 full rolls of filament?

Good grief, so it does! I've got no idea where it gets that figure from - it's just the default Windows STL viewer. According to PrusaSlicer, it'll actually use 8.46m of filament at a cost of 50p, and that figure comes from what I've told it filament costs! That particular one is a snug fit on the bed - the skirt takes it right to the edges of the print area.
 
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