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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 Some of the earlier pages of this topic are now out-of-date.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.

I wish it would ... ruler

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richard_t

Member
Location
nr Spalding
Hi

A couple of thoughts on the ruler tool in Templot:
  • I wish I could move the ruler without having to move each end. For example, I've set the ruler up to be 800mm long, and I'd like to sweep it long a part of the plan to ensure I have clearance. (I didn't :( so changed to 700mm long, and all is fine - but the diet will have to continue!). I could use a length of rail, but they I don't get the graduations (although I guess I could do something with sleeper spacing)
  • I wish I could "lock" (although probably the wrong term), adjustment of one end in relation to the other end so that it's a fixed angle (0, 90, 180, 270) in relation to it. (perhaps "snap" is a better term). It would be really nice, if Templot could work this out (i.e. I'm at 80 degrees, so fix to 90 from the other end), and that it could be activated my pressing the shift/ctrl/alt (any would do), whilst moving the mouse.
  • In relation to the above, It would be nice if I could enter the data for an end in relation to the other end. For example, adjust end 2 to be 800mm at 90deg from end one.
And yes I've been using the ruler a lot over the weekend!

Mylo's been digging in the garden again ... I'd hoped we'd got past that phase, and managed to find (i.e. roll in), some fox poo in the back paddock ... the joys of puppy ownership! (He was just celebrating his 5 month old birthday I guess)

Richard.
 
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For example, I've set the ruler up to be 800mm long, and I'd like to sweep it long a part of the plan to ensure I have clearance.
@richard_t

Hi Richard,

Thanks for those ideas. All good, I will see what I can do. The ruler hasn't changed much since Donald suggested it all those years ago.

But don't forget the spacing ring. You could use it for that. Set the diameter to 800mm and move it around with the mouse.

You can also adjust the diameter with the mouse, and leave copies of the ring of various sizes scattered around your plan as clearance points.

You can also attach the ring to a moving dummy vehicle.

spacing_ring.png


How was Mylo with the fireworks this weekend?

cheers,

Martin.
 
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Hi

Of course I had forgotten about the spacing ring!

I'm now fiddling with trying to find the "best" shift and rotate, to give me the right space around Central station - and for that I think the ruler is still the best tool (along with some graphs in Excel).

Mylo was fine - took notice of the fireworks, but not scared. We played, and the main lot of fireworks here went off around his bedtime, and it didn't put him off. Saturday I took him somewhere new (Wells-next-the-sea beach), and that tired him out with all the new sights, smells and sounds - so Saturday evening was OK as well. We've not been out in the dark with fireworks going off. The only fly-in-the-ointment is that Pepper, our previous Collie, was fine the first year, but not after that.

All the best

Richard.
 
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I had forgotten about the spacing ring! ... ... and for that I think the ruler is still the best tool
@richard_t

Don't also forget the quick way to set the two ends of the ruler: ALT + left-click, ALT + right-click. :)

Martin.
 
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@richard_t

Don't also forget the quick way to set the two ends of the ruler: ALT + left-click, ALT + right-click. :)

Martin.
Hello Martin

I am finding the shortcut doesn't work properly. There is a slight movement then nothing. In the fairly recent past I have used it without any problem. I had an update this morning, version 2.33a. It's fine using the method via the dialogue box.

Usual caveat, it may well be me.

Cheers
Julian
 
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@Julian Roberts

Hi Julian,

It seems to be working fine here, and I haven't changed anything in 233a.

If you are making precise measurements, try zooming in closer. It's not necessary to see both ends of the ruler at the same time.

cheers,

Martin.
 
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@Julian Roberts

Hi Julian,

It seems to be working fine here, and I haven't changed anything in 233a.

If you are making precise measurements, try zooming in closer. It's not necessary to see both ends of the ruler at the same time.

cheers,

Martin.
Hi Martin

Mea culpa - I was using the mouse to try to drag the ends to where I wanted them. Sorry to waste your time. So very easy, to just click where you want each end to be. I must have just forgotten the technique.

Cheers
Julian
 
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