Rotate Map + Export Map + Print Shape Area

[Matt Rogers]

Hi Martin,

I'd be surprised if these three idea haven't been suggested before, and obviously there are some limitations with the map tiles are imported from NLS etc, but bare with me.

It would be great if the experimental image enhancement also offered a way to convert the outlines of map features to a lightweight vector graphic type format, which you can export along with the track templates. Ideal for knowing where to put key features etc. If it also joined all the tiles together as one image, that would make rotating the track templates and background shapes more easily. Admittedly you'd loose the ability to add/ remove rows and columns in the map feature, so it would a one way trip. But if like me with Bog Junction, you get track templates done, you no longer need the map functions.

Additionally, being able to use the rectangle shape function as the input to printing, would make printing say a baseboards worth of sheets easier.

Regards

Matt

 

[Martin Wynne]

If it also joined all the tiles together as one image, that would make rotating the track templates and background shapes more easily. Admittedly you'd loose the ability to add/ remove rows and columns in the map feature, so it would a one way trip. But if like me with Bog Junction, you get track templates done, you no longer need the map functions.

@Matt Rogers

Hi Matt,

Sure, you can do that. I wrote about it a few days ago.

Ah. It turns out it was on the 7mm Scale Society forum. I wish folks would always come here to ask about Templot instead of asking on half a dozen different forums. I keep getting in a muddle these days.

---

It looks like I need to combine my 8 map tiles into a single picture then rotate that, but cannot work out how to do that.

Hi Rick,

Yes. Each tile is a picture shape. Use the crop/combine function to create a single picture shape from them. Then use the twist function on that to rotate the map.

Note that once you combine the tiles, you can no longer add more rows and columns of tiles. So make sure you have all the map you want first.

More about crop/combine here:

https://85a.uk/templot/companion/crop_combine.php

Video about it: https://flashbackconnect.com/Default.aspx?id=bomMjJ9g_5mE4D8_8ZE8iA2

---

It would be great if the experimental image enhancement also offered a way to convert the outlines of map features to a lightweight vector graphic type format, which you can export along with the track templates. Ideal for knowing where to put key features etc.

I'm not sure why you want to do that, you can include the background map in the PDF and printed templates if you wish. More about that:

https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.php?threads/maps.348/post-3308

ZIP together your BOX and BGS3 files if you need them combined in a single file.

Converting a raster image to a vector image is no 5-minute task. Many graphics editor programs can do such edge-detection, but Templot isn't a graphics editor.

More about the map clarity improvements:

https://85a.uk/templot/club/index.php?threads/changes-in-templot-version-227.180/post-1548

Additionally, being able to use the rectangle shape function as the input to printing, would make printing say a baseboards worth of sheets easier.

For PDF output for roll paper printing, you can set the page size (trim margins) to match the baseboard size.

For printed output, group the templates contained on the baseboard, and then use the print group function. The print will include the baseboard outline as background shapes.

cheers,

Martin.

 

[Matt Rogers]

Thanks for those comments Martin, I'll be sure to have a go with combining the tiles when I work on a Mark 2 version of Bog Junction.

Regards

Matt