How to Use Track Triggers

The information in this Wiki Page applies to TANE, TRS19, Trainz Plus and TRS22.

Track Triggers are markers that are invisible in Driver but visible in Surveyor They are used to activate some Session Rules and Driver Commands They can be placed in a Route layer or in a Session layer

What are Track Triggers?

Track triggers can be programmed to respond when a train (any train or a specific train) passes over them in Driver Mode. The response comes from executing a set of Session Rules that have been attached to a Trigger Check Rule (or a similar rule) or a Driver Command that is monitoring the trigger.

Shown below left is a standard Trigger and below right is a Directional Trigger. They are just two examples of several types of track triggers. In both cases:- they are visible in Surveyor and invisible in Driver the "green wings" show their Effect Radius, the region where a consist will trigger an "event". The number in brackets show that radius in metres the Directional Trigger will normally only be triggered if the consist is moving in the direction indicated by the arrow the standard Trigger will be triggered regardless of the direction of movement

"Standard" Trigger Directional Trigger

Route or Session?

Triggers can be placed in a Route Layer or in a Session Layer

Notes: Placing Triggers in a Route layer (e.g. in the same layer as the track) means that they will be available in all Sessions created using that particular Route Placing Triggers in a Session layer means that they will only be available in that Session. This can be useful if two or more Sessions are being created and you want to use different triggers in each Session

Information on Route and Session layers can be found at:- How to Use Layers

Adding a Trigger

Notes: A Trigger has two important properties:- its name which is needed for all commands and rules that use the Trigger, and its Effect Radius (the green "wings" shown in the image above with the radius value, in metres, shown below the trigger name). This controls how closely an AI train has to approach the trigger to activate it (smaller radius = closer to the trigger) A "standard" Trigger has no visible direction and, while it can be rotated, this has NO EFFECT on its operation. The Directional Trigger does have a direction because it is only triggered by trains travelling in a specific direction

In Surveyor Classic (S10)

Adding a Trigger (S10)

Steps: To add a Trigger:- Open the Tracks Tool Flyout or press the  F4  key Left Click on the Trackmark Mode button or press the  V  key Left Click on the Trigger shown in the asset list Left Click the  +  Add Object button - it may already be selected - or press the  A  key Left Click on the track location where the Trigger is to be placed This will place the Trigger on the track and open its properties window.

As soon as a new trigger has been placed, its properties window will open on the screen. It will initially be given a default name and assigned to the currently active layer.

Set the Trigger Name and Layer (S10)

To change the trigger name Left Click on the name text entry box, delete the highlighted default name and enter a new name To change its assigned layer Left Click on the layer text entry box (or use its scroll arrowheads) and select a new layer - see the Trainz Wiki Page  How to Use layers for more details on layers To confirm the changes Left Click on the icon or the  Save Changes  button (depending on your Trainz version) at the bottom of the window

Set the Effect Radius (S10)

At the bottom of the Track Tools flyout menu is an Advanced button. Left Click this button to open the advanced tools.

The Effect Radius sets the size of green "effect wings" attached both ends of the Trigger. This sets how close a consist has to approach to trigger its "event". The smaller the radius the closer it must approach.

Other track objects that have a Trigger Effect Radius include Track Markers, Track Direction Markers, Track Priority Markers and Whistle Signs. In some cases the visible "effect wings" are red instead of green.

Steps: To set a Triggers Effect Radius:- In the Track Tools flyout, Left Click on the Advanced button to open the Radius tools and properties. You will have a choice of 4 methods to set and adjust the Effect Radius Options: Choose one of:- To copy the Effect Radius of an existing Trigger Left Click the Get Effect Radius icon Left Click on the Trigger whose radius you want to copy - the radius will be copied into the Effect Radius Value text box (the default value is 20.00 metres) To apply the new value see option below To manually alter the Effect Radius value Type the new value (in metres) into the Effect Radius Value text box To apply the new value see option below To apply a value in the Effect Radius Value text box (from methods , or ) to another Trigger Left Click the Copy Radius Value icon Left Click on the Trigger that is to receive the new value (you can click on more than one) To adjust the Effect Radius value up or down Left Click the Adjust Effect Radius button Select the Trigger Left Click and Drag Forward (to increase the value) or Backward (to reduce the value) The new value will be immediately applied to the selected Trigger as the mouse moves (but only one Trigger at a time)

Once you have an Effect Radius entered in the value box, you can apply it to any number of Triggers by using method shown above

In Surveyor 2.0 (S20)

Surveyor 2.0 is only available in Trainz Plus and TRS22 Platinum

Adding a Trigger (S20)

In the Filter Palette either:-

Left Click on the Track Objects icon OR Left Click on the Content Drop Down Box Then select Track Objects  Shortcut  If you already have a Trigger placed in your route then:- move the tool pointer over the existing trigger object and hold down the  Alt  key. The object name will appear in a ToolTip attached to the pointer while holding down the  Alt  key Left Click on the trigger to identify it in the Assets Palette and to select the Placement Tool. Release the key. Jump to Step below.

Notes: If the Filter Palette and the Assets Palette are not shown on the screen, then:- Steps: To display palettes:- open the Window Menu from the menu icons at the top of the screen   visible palettes have ticks next to their names invisible (hidden) palettes have no ticks next to their names if any required palette does not have a tick next to its name then Left Click on the name of the palette or on the empty box next to its name. This will add a and make the palette visible There is a Trainz Wiki Page specifically covering the S20 Palettes at  How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes

In the Assets Palette to narrow down the filter list, type "trigger" (UPPER/lower case does not matter) in the Search Text Box

Both pallets shown docked

This will list all the Track Objects containing the text "trigger" in their names or descriptions. Left Click on the item name Trigger (or another trigger object) in the list - you may have to scroll down the list to find the asset. If you are not sure about an asset then Double Left Click on the name to bring up its image and description. When you select any asset in the Assets Palette list it will automatically select the Placement Tool so the next Left Click in your Trainz World will add that asset to your Trainz World

Place the Trigger on the track.

Steps: To add a Trigger:- If, for some reason, the Placement Tool has not been selected then Left Click on the Placement Tool or press the  E  key Left Click on the track at the position where you want to place the Trigger Once placed a Trigger can be easily moved if needed. Notes: To delete a Trigger (or any asset):- Steps: select either the:- Free Move Tool (or press  S ) OR Fine Adjustment Tool (or press  D ) Left Click on the Trigger press the  Delete  key

If you need to rotate the Trigger to face the opposite direction then:- Steps: select the Trigger then Left Click on its Context Menu Icon (or press the  T  key) from the popup menu select the  Rotate Trackside  option Note: the direction it faces has no effect on its operation

Change Its Name (S20)

The name of the Trigger IS important. It is needed to identify the Trigger in Session Rules.

Steps: To change the name of a Trigger:- using either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool select (Left Click on) the Trigger to be renamed in the Info Palette (you may need to make this palette visible - see the Notes: for Step  1  above) Left Click in the Name: entry box. Enter a name for the Trigger and press the  Enter  key

Set its Effect Radius (S20)

The Effect Radius sets the size of green "effect wings" attached both ends of the Trigger. This sets how close a consist has to approach to trigger its "event". The smaller the radius the closer it must approach.

Steps: To adjust the effect radius of a Trigger:- Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the Green Dot next to the Trigger to increase or reduce its Effect Radius For the best results when adjusting the Effect Radius of any track object, move your camera POV (point of view) to directly above the object Other track objects that have a Trigger Effect Radius include Track Markers, Track Direction Markers, Track Priority Markers and Whistle Signs. In some cases the visible "effect wings" are red instead of green.

Move a Trigger Along the Track (S20)

Triggers can be moved along the track or to other tracks.

Steps: To move the Trigger:- Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the Yellow Dot next to the Trigger to move it along the track or to another track

Move the Trigger Vertically (S20)

Triggers can be physically placed above (or below) the track. This feature allows them to be placed, for example, above the track so that they will not be hidden in Surveyor if a consist is parked on the Trigger.

Steps: To move a Trigger vertically:- This option is only available with the Fine Adjustment Tool - the  D  key Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the  Blue  Vertical Axis Line above the Trigger to it up or down If you need to return the Trigger to its original position then:- Steps: To correctly reattach the Trigger to the track:- select the object and open (Left Click on) its Context Menu Icon (or press the  T  key) from the popup menu select  Reattach to Track

Move the Trigger Horizontally (S20)

Triggers can be physically placed left or right alongside the track. This feature allows them to be placed, for example, beside the track so that they will not be hidden in Surveyor if a consist is parked on the Trigger.

Steps: To move a Trigger horizontally:- This option is only available with the Fine Adjustment Tool - the  D  key Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the  Red  Horizontal Axis Line attached to the Trigger to move it left or right Left Click and Drag Forward or Backward on the  Green  Horizontal Axis Line attached to the Trigger to move it forward or back If you need to return the Trigger to its original position then:- Steps: To correctly reattach the Trigger to the track:- select the object and open (Left Click on) its Context Menu Icon (or press the  T  key) from the popup menu select  Reattach to Track

Notes: The  Green  Horizontal Axis Line shown as in the image pointing forward from the Trigger will move it forward/backward regardless of whether it is on the track or not. It has the same effect as Move a Trigger Along the Track. However, by using this tool it is possible to move the Trigger beyond the end of the track if that is ever required.

Assign a Trigger to a New Layer (S20)

The Info Palette will show the layer assigned to the currently selected object. To the left of the layer name is a small arrowhead object.

Steps: To assign a Trigger to a layer:- In the Info Palette:- Left Click the small arrowhead next to the layer name. This will open the layer properties for the selected object Left Click the Layer drop down box to select a new layer for the object if required, Left Click the Binding drop down box to select a new binding layer for the object. It cannot be bound to its own layer if required, Left Click the  Lock Layer  button to lock the selected layer. If the layer is already locked then this will be shown as an  Unlock Layer  button WARNING: You will not be allowed to place a track object in a layer that is higher up the list than the layer containing the track Moving an object from one layer group to another (e.g. from the Route Layer Group to the Session Layer Group) will change where the object is saved (in the Route or in the Session) Information on layers can be found at:- How to Use Layers

Creating a Trigger Event

When a consist enters the Effect Radius of a Trigger it will create an "event" that can be detected and responded to by some Session Rules and some Driver Commands. One such rule is the Trigger Check Rule which is added to a Session in the Session Editor.

More information on the Trigger Check Rule can be found on the Trainz Wiki Rules Page at:- Trigger Check Rule

Steps:
	Open the Session Editor: To add the Trigger Check Rule to a session:- Open the Surveyor Main Menu in TANE (shown below left) or the Surveyor Edit Menu in TRS19 and later Trainz versions (shown below right) Select the option  Edit Session  from the drop down menu list

	Add the Trigger Check Rule:
	In the Edit Session window (shown below left) Left Click on the  Add  button	In the Rule Selection window (shown below right):- Scroll down the list to select the Trigger Check rule, and Left Click on the icon

This will add the Trigger Check rule to the session.

Open the Trigger Check Rule Properties: With the Trigger Check rule highlighted (shown below) Left Click the  Edit  button. This will open the rule properties window

Configure the Rule: For this example we will leave all settings unchanged and simply identify the Trigger to be used. In the Trigger Properties window (shown below):- Left Click on the Add Trigger link More information on the settings and options in this rule can be found on the Trainz Wiki Rules Page at:- Trigger Check Rule

Select the Trigger: The Trigger Selection Window will open and list all the Triggers in your Route. Select the Trigger you have just added Left Click on the icon at the bottom of the selection window Once the Trigger has been added to the rule, Left Click on the icon in the Trigger Check properties window to accept the change and close the Session Editor.

Adding an Instruction to the Trigger Event

Adding a Child Rule

To test your trigger event you will need to add some Session Rules.

Steps:

Add A Message Popup Rule: When you are back in the Session Editor window:- Make sure that the new Trigger Check Rule is selected (highlighted) Left Click the  Add  button to add another new rule Scroll down the rule selection window to find and select the Message Popup rule Left Click on the icon The Message Popup Rule should now appear directly below the Trigger Check rule. It will display a red cross because it has not yet been configured.

Indent the Popup Message Rule: The Message Popup Rule has to be indented so that it becomes a Child of the Trigger Check Rule and is controlled by that rule. With the Message Popup Rule highlighted Left Click on the Indent (right arrow) button. This should indent the Message Popup rule one level inwards (as shown below). The Message Popup Rule is now a Child Rule of the Trigger Check Rule and will only be executed after the Trigger has been activated by a train.

Configuring the Message and Testing

Steps:
	Open the Message Popup Rule for Editing: With the Message Popup Rule highlighted and indented (as shown above) Left Click the  Edit  button. The Message Popup Rule properties window will appear (as shown below)

Configure the Message: Set the properties as shown:- Check ON Close previous message popup windows Select Option Button Custom text Enter a short text message

(Optional) Add a Message Icon: Left Click the ; click here to set (shown left) and either:- Scroll down the Texture Asset Selection List (shown below) to find a suitable icon, OR Simply type "icon stop" in the text box to use one of the builtin icons Left Click on the icon to select the icon

Left Click on the icon to exit the Message Popup Rule and return to the Session Editor

The completed Message Popup Rule

More information on this rule can be found on the Trainz Wiki Page at:- How to Use Message Popup Rule

Test the Trigger: Exit the Session Editor Add a consist to your layout a short distance from the Trigger (but further away than its radius), save the Surveyor Session, and then test in Driver

Another example of using the Trigger Check Rule can be found in the Trainz Wiki Page How to Use Message Popup Rule (Applications).

Alternatives to the Trigger Check Rule

There are other Session Rules that can be used in place of the Trigger Check Rule and Triggers. A few possibilities are listed below:- Directional Trigger Check Rule - identical to the Trigger Check Rule but adds the ability to test the train direction. Requires the use of a special Directional Trigger. For an example of its use see the Trainz Wiki Page Controlling Signals in Sessions Trackside Check Rule - very similar to the Trigger Check Rule but provides some different options Navigation Points (see the How to Guides ; below) are more complex but provide more advanced controls and options Multiple Resource Check Rule - monitors and acts on changes in multiple industry or multiple wagon resource (commodity) levels Resource Verify Rule - monitors and acts on changes in a single industry or wagon resource (commodity) level Timecheck Rule - triggers an event at a set time.

There is a driver command that can be used in place of the Trigger Check Rule:- Wait For Trigger - forces an AI controlled train to wait until a specified Trigger has been activated by another train

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Trainz Wiki

More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz How to Guides Driver Commands List Session Rules List (Alphabetical) with Parameters Session Rules List (Categories) With Parameters

Related Links How to Use Track Direction Markers How to Use Track Markers How to Use Track Priority Markers

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This page was created by Trainz user pware in May 2018 and was last updated as shown below.

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