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| Line 4,697: |
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| | <tr valign="top"> | | <tr valign="top"> |
| | <td><span style="font-weight: 700; color: white; background-color: black;"> Smooth Ground Under Selected </span></td> | | <td><span style="font-weight: 700; color: white; background-color: black;"> Smooth Ground Under Selected </span></td> |
| − | <td>changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match the height of the lowest object</td> | + | <td>changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then it will '''attempt''' to set the terrain heights to match the height of each object</td> |
| | </tr> | | </tr> |
| | </table> | | </table> |
Revision as of 20:17, 26 February 2023
The information in this Wiki Page applies to Surveyor 2.0 (S20) as found in Trainz Plus. The original reference material for this document can be found at 
Surveyor 2.0 Overview
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| Surveyor 2.0 Mouse and Keyboard Aids and Shortcuts |
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Operations |
| LClick |
Left Click on an object to select it |
| Shift LClick |
hold down the Shift key and Left Click on another object to add it to the selection |
| LClick Drag |
Left Click and Drag to move an object or a group of selected objects |
| RClick |
Right Click on the terrain to move the Compass Rose and Focus to that location |
| DLClick |
Double Left Click on an object to place it and all nearby identical objects into one selection
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when used on a consist all the wagons in the consist, regardless of type, will be selected |
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when used on a spline or track all the segments upto the next junction will be selected |
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| Shift DLClick |
hold down the Shift key and Double Left Click on another object to add it and its nearby identical objects to those already in the selection |
| Ctrl LClick Drag |
hold down the Ctrl key and Left Click and Drag to clone an object or selected objects |
| Ctrl C |
press Ctrl C to copy selected objects (including the ground height, ground textures and any effect layers) into a new Scrapbook |
| Ctrl D |
press Ctrl D to unselect a selected object (or ALL objects if multiple objects have been selected) |
| Ctrl V |
press Ctrl V to paste the current Scrapbook into the route at the cursor position (the Surveyor Compass Rose). The current settings in the Scrapbook Palette Filter will control which objects are pasted and how they are pasted |
| Ctrl X |
press Ctrl X to cut and remove selected objects from the route and place them into a new Scrapbook. The ground height, ground textures, effect layers and any objects in locked layers will be copied, not cut |
| Ctrl Z |
press Ctrl Z to undo actions |
| Alt |
hold down the Alt key and hover the tool pointer over an object to identify it |
| Alt LClick |
hold down the Alt key and Left Click on an object to select it in the Assets Palette |
| Delete |
press the Delete key to delete a selected object or objects |
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Tools |
| W |
selects the Brush Tool  |
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| E |
selects the Placement Tool  |
| R |
selects the Eyedropper Tool  |
| S |
selects the Free Move Tool  |
| D |
selects the Fine Adjustment Tool  |
| F |
selects the Marquee Tool  |
| T |
opens the Context Menu of a selected object |
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Assets and Objects
(from the Surveyor 2.0 Overview document)
In this online documentation, the term Asset is used when talking about the items listed in Content Manager and the Asset Palette. Every asset has a KUID (unique identifier). When an asset (selected in the Assets Palette) is placed into the world, the instance of the asset in the world is referred to as an Object. There are multiple types of object, such as Scenery, Splines, Trains, Trackside, etc.
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Surveyor 2.0 vs Surveyor Classic
| Surveyor 2.0 |
| Surveyor 2.0 (or S20) is the new Surveyor interface provided to Trainz Plus Gold and Trainz Plus Standard subscribers as an alternative to Surveyor Classic. Classic is still available as an option in Trainz Plus. It is also available as an option in TRS22 for subscribers only. |
| Whats New |
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a single set of common tools that can be applied to ALL types of objects |
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the ability to select multiple objects of different types that can be manipulated as one with more freedom than was previously possible |
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each object has its own Context Menu that applies specific actions depending on the type of object |
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information and controls in dockable and moveable Palettes that can be hidden when not needed |
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a new Scrapbook asset to store "scenes" that can be pasted anywhere in a route, between routes and shared through the DLS |
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a new Marquee Tool that allows:-
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multiple baseboards to be added, deleted and have their height, ground texture and grid resolution changed in a single operation |
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objects, ground heights, ground textures and effect layers to be moved and copied |
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The following screen images help illustrate the change in philosophy that has occurred with the release of the Surveyor 2.0 user interface.
The Tools Palette
| The Tools Palette is at the core of the new interface and takes the place of all the Tool Flyouts that have been the standard for Trainz Surveyor for many years. Some of the tools are new while others have been given a makeover and new abilities. |
The Context Tool is attached as an icon to a selected or newly placed object. The icon will vary according to the type of object. |
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An Eyedropper is inside all the tools so you can quickly identify any object without having to switch to the Eyedropper Tool and back again.
Just hold down the Alt key as you move your selected tool onto an object to reveal its name. Left click on the object while holding down the key to select it in the Assets Palette list. |
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The Brush Tool
 |
Keyboard Shortcut: W |
The Brush Tool "paints" the ground height, ground textures, effect layers and scrapbook scenes in the Trainz World |
The Brush Tool has two drop down menu lists.
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The first drop down menu will set the "Brush Target" which is the type of brush.
The Targets are:- |
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Ground Height |
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Ground Texture |
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Scrapbook Data |
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<List of Effect Layers> |
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Edit Effect Layers |
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If you have any Effect Layers then they will appear as Targets in this drop down list. Select an Effect Layer to use the brush to paint with that layer. |
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Ground Height
This brush tool uses the Tool Options Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to  Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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When the Ground Height Target is selected, the second drop down box will give a choice of several Ground Height actions.
| The brush tool options for each action are shown in the Tool Options Palette with a Gold coloured icon next to their names. Those options that have their icon greyed out will be ignored by the selected action, but they can still be edited. |
Height Up/Height Down
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Set Height
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Grade
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| Radius |
the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below |
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| Height |
the brush height (metres) |
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| Sensitivity |
the rate at which the height changes |
| Range: |
1% (very slowly) to 100% (very quickly) |
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| Grade |
slope gradient - see Notes: below |
| Range: |
0% = flat ("Plateau" in Classic) to |
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±100% = steep (but not vertical) |
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| Angle |
grade direction (compass degrees) |
| Range: |
0° (North) to ±359°
a negative value reverses the grade |
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Notes:
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Unlike Surveyor Classic, there is no upper limit to the brush Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, the performance will decrease as the brush radius increases. If you are using the brush to set an entire baseboard, or many baseboards, to a specific height then the Marquee Tool would be a better choice. |
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The Grade is defined as vertical rise divided by horizontal distance converted to a percentage figure. So a grade of 100% (the maximum allowed) would mean a slope formed by the height and distance both being the same value (e.g. a height increase of 50m over a distance of 50m). A vertical slope (a cliff) would have an infinite grade which is currently impossible in Surveyor. |
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| Steps: To set the Ground Height:- |
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select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key) |
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select the brush Target (in this case Ground Height ) |
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select the brush Action (Height Up, Height Down, etc) |
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set any brush controls (radius, height, sensitivity, etc) in the Tool Options Palette |
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Left Click and Drag on the terrain to change the terrain height |
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Ground Texture
| This brush tool uses the Tool Options Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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When the Ground Texture Target is selected, the second drop down box will be disabled - there are no brush texture actions.
The brush tool options for each action are shown in the Tool Options Palette with a Gold coloured icon next to their names. Those options that have their icon greyed out will be ignored, but they can still be edited.
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| Radius |
the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below |
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| Sensitivity |
texture transparency |
| Range: |
1% = almost transparent to |
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100% = solid (opaque) |
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| Rotation |
initial rotation angle - see Notes: below |
| Range: |
0° to ±360° (larger angles can be entered) |
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| Scale |
the texture pattern scaling factor |
| Range: |
0.01% = smallest to 100% = full size |
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| Steps: To paint a Ground Texture:- |
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select your Ground Texture in the Assets Palette - you can use the Assets Palette filter options to narrow down the selection |
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select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key) |
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select the Ground Texture target from the Brush drop down menu |
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set any brush controls (radius, sensitivity, rotation, scale) in the Tool Options Palette |
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Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the texture |
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Notes:
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Unlike Surveyor Classic, there is no upper limit to the brush Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, the performance will decrease as the brush radius increases. If you are using the brush to paint an entire baseboard, or many baseboards, then the Marquee Tool will be quicker but it will not give the options of changing the scale and rotation. |
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The Rotation controls the starting angle for the texture when painting and is often used to avoid pattern repetition. As in Surveyor Classic, holding down the [ or ] keys while painting will continuously change the rotation angle
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Warning: Changing the rotation angle during painting is not recommended for PBR Textures as this will significantly increase the memory useage (each rotation will load in another copy of the PBR texture). |
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Default Baseboard Ground Texture
| When a new route is created or a new baseboard is added it will be covered with the Default ground texture for the selected Region. This can be temporarily disabled or permanently changed to a different texture (including to the standard TRS19 grid pattern). |
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The easiest option is to disable the current default ground texture
Steps: |
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open the Display Menu |
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select the Ground option |
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select the Grid option. This will use the current grid texture. |
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| A more complex solution is to edit an existing Region or create one of your own to add your preferred ground texture (such as the standard TRS19 grid pattern) to each new route you create and every new baseboard that you add. |
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Information on creating and editing Region assets can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-
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Scrapbook Data
| This brush tool uses both the Tool Options Palette and the Scrapbook Palette. If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document. Instructions on how to create Scrapbooks can be found in the Marquee Tool section of this document. |
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Notes:
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| Scrapbooks, when created, will contain:- |
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Ground Heights |
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Ground Textures |
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Effect Layers - if present |
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Selected Objects - scenery items, splines, track, signals, etc |
| But NOT Rolling Stock (Trains)
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| Ground heights, textures and effect layers are always included in a scrapbook but you can control which visible objects are added by manually selecting them or using the filter controls in the Assets Palette |
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Notes:
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Scrapbooks, when painted or pasted, can contain any combinations of:- |
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Ground Heights |
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Ground Textures |
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Effect Layers |
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Scenery Objects (Meshes) - individual buildings, trees, signals, etc |
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Scenery Splines - roads, track, fences, etc |
| You have options that will control which of these data categories are transferred and how they are transferred from the scrapbook into a route. |
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The current Scrapbook can be Pasted into a route at the position of the screen cursor (the Compass Rose) by:-
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pressing Ctrl V , OR |
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selecting Paste from the Context Menu of a selected object |
| In both cases the Scrapbook will be pasted using the original scrapbooks size. It will be pasted inside a Marquee Selection Area that can be moved and resized. The objects that are pasted and how they are pasted is controlled by the current Scrapbook Palette filter settings
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The Scrapbook Brush Actions
When the Scrapbook Data Target is selected, the second drop down box will give a choice of two actions.
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Notes:
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Scrapbook Brush will resize the scrapbook contents to fit the selected brush shape and size.
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If the brush is small then the scrapbook contents will be compressed closer together |
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If the brush is large then the contents will be spaced further apart |
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Every Left Click will paste another complete scrapbook copy |
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The Scale control in the Tool Options Palette is ignored. |
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Scrapbook Clone will paste the scrapbook sized according to the Scale setting (100% = original size)
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If the brush is the same size as the scaled scrapbook then a single exact copy will be pasted |
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If the brush is smaller than the scaled scrapbook in size then only the central part of the scrapbook will be revealed and more will be added when the brush is moved around until the "painted" area covers the same area as the scaled scrapbook. Further painting will clone or tile the scrapbook contents |
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If the brush is larger than the scaled scrapbook in size then the contents will be cloned or tiled to fill the set brush radius |
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Warning: The Scale and Radius settings must be carefully selected. Setting extreme values for both (a very large brush radius and a very small scale value) can cause performance issues (i.e. long delays) while the program attempts to scale and clone the scrapbook contents
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| The available brush tool options are shown in the Tool Options Palette with a Gold coloured icon next to their names. Those options that have their icon greyed out will be ignored, but they can still be edited. |
Scrapbook Brush
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Scrapbook Clone
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| Radius |
the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below |
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| Rotation |
initial rotation angle (degrees) - see Notes: below |
| Range: |
0° to ±360° (larger angles can be entered) |
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| Scale |
the scrapbook scaling factor |
| Range: |
0.01% = smallest to 100% = full size |
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| Shape |
brush shape |
| Options: |
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Circle and Square will set the brush to the selected shape |
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Natural will set the brush to the same shape as the Marquee that created the scrapbook, which may be rectangular. The Radius setting will set the relative brush dimensions |
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Notes:
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Unlike Surveyor Classic, there is no upper limit to the brush Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, the performance will decrease as the brush radius increases. |
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The Rotation controls the starting angle for pasting the scrapbook objects. In Surveyor Classic you could only rotate and paste in 90° increments. In S20 you can rotate and paste at any angle. |
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| Steps: To "paint" with a Scrapbook asset:- |
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select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key) |
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select the Scrapbook Data target from the Brush first drop down menu |
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select a brush action (Brush or Clone) from the Brush second drop down menu |
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select a Scrapbook asset to be painted (see the The Scrapbook Palette below) |
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open the Scrapbook Filter in the Scrapbook Palette and select the features to be pasted and their method of pasting (see The Scrapbook Filters below) |
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set any Brush controls from the Tool Options Palette |
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Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the scrapbook asset |
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The Scrapbook Palette
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Left click on the pin icon to Lock (blue pin) and Unlock (white pin) the scrapbook. Locked scrapbooks are permanent (but can still be deleted). Unlocked scrapbooks will "expire" (self delete) after 5 days |
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Left click on the delete icon to delete the current scrapbook - most scrapbooks can be deleted (see Notes: Deleting Built-in Scrapbooks below on how to deal with the exceptions to this) |
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Identifies the currently displayed scrapbook (the first number) and the total number of stored scrapbooks (the second number) |
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Left click on the < or > to move forwards or backwards through the stored scrapbooks to select the scrapbook that will be added to the route |
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The scrapbook name can be edited. Simply Left click inside the name box to edit or replace the current name. Left click on the image to make the name change permanent and pin (lock) the scrapbook |
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Notes: Deleting Built-in Scrapbooks
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| Some scrapbooks are installed with Trainz and cannot be deleted. These scrapbooks have the label Prefab at the front of their names (you may have to scroll to the front of the name to see it). While they cannot be deleted they can be "disabled" so that they won't appear as an installed scrapbook. Unlocking them will not cause them to "expire" - after 5 days they will just become locked again. |
| Steps: To disable built-in scrapbooks |
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Open Content Manager and locate the "permanent" scrapbook or scrapbooks.
Search Tips: Name: starts with "Prefab"; Status: is Built-in; Type: is Misc |
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Highlight (select) the Scrapbook assets |
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Open the Content menu and select Disable |
| You can reverse this and Enable any or all of these scrapbooks later if you need them. |
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The Scrapbook Filters
Left click on the arrowhead next to the Filters: label below the scrapbook image to open the scrapbook filter controls. These filters will control which elements in the scrapbook will be added to the route and how thay will be added.
| For example: To paint a scrapbook asset onto a route with certain conditions set:- |
| Ground Height: |
None |
ground height data will not be pasted and the ground heights already in the target area will be used |
| Ground Texture: |
Overwrite |
textures present in the scrapbook will replace those already in the target area |
| Meshes: |
Add |
scenery objects in the scrapbook will be added to those already in the target area |
| Splines: |
Add |
scenery splines in the scrapbook will be added to those already in the target area |
| Effect Layers: |
None |
effect layers in the scrapbook will not be pasted and any already in the target area will be used
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Scrapbook Painting/Pasting Options |
| What Data to Transfer |
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Ground Height |
terrain height(s) used in the scrapbook |
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Texture |
textures used in the scrapbook |
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Meshes |
scenery objects (e.g. trees, buildings) used in the scrapbook |
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Splines |
spline objects used in the scrapbook |
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Effect Layers |
effect layers (TurfFX, Clutter, Water Layer) used in the scrapbook |
| How to Transfer the Data |
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None |
do not paste this feature |
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Add |
add this feature to those already present |
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Overwrite |
use this feature to replace those already present |
| For the Ground Height:- |
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Absolute |
use the ground heights in the scrapbook to replace the existing ground heights |
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Relative |
modify the existing ground heights according to those used in the scrapbook (to ignore the scrapbook ground heights completely select the option None) |
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The current Scrapbook can be Pasted into a route at the position of the screen cursor (the Compass Rose) by:-
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pressing Ctrl V , OR |
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selecting Paste from the Context Menu of a selected object |
| In both cases the Scrapbook will be pasted using the original scrapbooks size. It will be pasted inside a Marquee Selection Area that can be moved and resized. The objects that are pasted and how they are pasted is controlled by the current Scrapbook Palette filter settings
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Effect Layers
If the route has Effect Layers installed then they will be listed individually as additional Targets.
TurfFX and Clutter Effect Layers
When a TurfFX or Clutter Effect Layer has been selected as the Target, the second drop down box will give a choice of three actions.
The actions are very similar to those found in the Ground Height brush:- |
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Increase |
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Decrease |
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Set Intensity |
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Increase/Decrease raises or lowers the intensity of the effect layer at a rate controlled by the Sensitivity setting as the brush is swept back and forth over an area
Set Intensity will paint the effect layer in one sweep using the full Intensity setting |
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Steps: To paint with an Effect Layer
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select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key) |
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select the <effect layer name> from the Brush Target drop down menu. If there are no Effect Layers listed then none have been created or installed |
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select a Brush action from the second drop down list
| Set Intensity |
will paint the Effect Layer at the Intensity level in the Tool Options Palette |
| Increase |
will paint the Effect Layer with each "sweep" of the brush increasing the layer Intensity up to the maximum (100%) at a rate controlled by the Sensitivity level |
| Decrease |
will paint the Effect Layer with each "sweep" of the brush decreasing the layer Intensity at a rate controlled by the Sensitivity level |
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set any required Brush Radius , Intensity and Sensitivity controls from the Tool Options Palette |
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Left Click or Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the Effect Layer |
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Water Effect Layer
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Notes:
The Bulk Update action is not fully intuitive and will require some experimentation. It will raise and lower the water effect layer in the baseboard where the Left Click and Drag was executed. Areas within that baseboard where the water effect layer had previously been set to a different height will not be affected until the water level reaches the same height. The Water Effect Layer in surrounding baseboards will also start to move when the level reaches their current heights. |
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Edit Effect Layers...
When this Target is selected, the Edit Effect Layers options will appear. This is the same as selecting Edit Effect Layers ... from the Trainz Edit Menu.
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If no Effect Layers are present then you can create a new one
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If Effect Layers are present then select one to edit
 |
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Effect Layers are created for each route. You can select and edit a previously saved Effect Layer rather than having to recreate the entire effect each time. |
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More information on creating and editing Effect Layers can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-
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The Placement Tool
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Keyboard Shortcut: E |
The Placement Tool adds objects to a Trainz World |
| This tool uses the Assets Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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The Placement Tool has no drop down menu lists.
 |
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More Placement Options |
| After an object has been placed in a route its position and height can be changed by:- |
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using the Free Move Tool |
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using the Fine Adjustment Tool |
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editing its X Y Z values in The Info Palette |
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selecting the Apply Height option in its Context Menu |
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The first step is to identify and select the particular object that you want to add to the route.
Placing a Scenery Mesh Object
| Individual "non-spline" scenery objects that are not attached to track are often referred to in Trainz terminology as Scenery Mesh Objects. |
Steps: To add a Scenery Mesh Object the first step is to identify the exact asset you want to add.
In the Asset Palette either:-
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To narrow down the filter list type part of the object name into the Search Text Box. For example if you have selected Scenery Objects and want to find "barns", then type "barn" (UPPER/lower case does not matter). |
 |
This will list all the Scenery Objects containing the text "barn" in their name or description.
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| The final step is to place the selected object into the route. |
- If the Placement Tool is not selected then Left click it or press the E key
- Click on the spot where you want to place the object
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Notes:
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the Placement Tool will remain on and active until another tool has been selected. So everytime you click another copy of the object (or another object if you change your selection) will be added to the route |
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the last object placed will be highlighted (covered in "green/yellow"). This will be the selected object if you switch control to the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool |
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Placing a Scenery or Track Spline
| Scenery splines and track splines are defined by their endpoints. Splines are usually added to a route as a series of joined segments linked at the endpoints. |
| Start the process of laying a track or spline by identifying and selecting the track or scenery spline as described in steps to in Placing a Scenery Mesh Object above but in Step select the Scenery Spline or the Track filter in the Assets Palette |
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| Select from the Assets Palette icons:- |
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spline scenery assets |
OR |
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track spline assets |
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|
OR |
| Select from the Assets Palette drop down list:- |
| Scenery Splines |
OR |
Track |
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Then, after Step , continue with the steps listed below:-
Spline Segment Heights
When you start adding a spline to a route it will always be placed at the height of the terrain regardless of the Tool Options Height setting.
However, you can set the end point heights of any selected segment.
| Steps: To set the height of a Spline Segment:- |
|
Lay the spline segment which will be added at the terrain ground height |
|
Enter a value in the Tool Options Height and press the Enter key |
| The endpoints of the current spline segment will immediately be adjusted to the new height setting |
|
Placing Track Objects
| Track Objects (e.g. signals, speed signs, switches, etc), both visible and invisible, can only be attached to track splines. |
|
Notes:
| Visible examples of track objects include:- |
|
Signals, speed signs, end buffers, switches |
| Invisible examples of track objects include:- |
|
Trackmarks, triggers, direction and priority markers |
|
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Follow steps to in Placing a Scenery Mesh Object above but in Step select the Track Object filter in the Assets Palette.
Select from the Assets Palette icons:-
 track (non spline) assets |
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OR |
Select from the Assets Palette drop down list:-
Track Objects |
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Placing Rolling Stock Objects
| Rolling Stock Objects (e.g. locomotives, passenger cars and wagons) can only be attached to track splines. |
Follow steps to in Placing a Scenery Mesh Object above but in Step select the Rolling Stock filter in the Assets Palette.
Select from the Assets Palette icons:-
 rolling stock assets |
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OR |
Select from the Assets Palette drop down list:-
Rolling Stock |
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Placement Tool Options
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Notes:
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| |
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These options do not apply to Rolling Stock Objects |
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When using the Placement Tool, the Tool Options Palette Height setting for all objects does not show a gold coloured icon which indicates an "active" control setting but the setting is active. |
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To use the Height control with the Placement Tool a value must be entered followed by the Enter key OR select the Apply Height option from the objects Context Menu to use the current value. This must be performed after the object has been been placed. |
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Placement Mesh Objects Tool Options
Placement Spline (and Track) Tool Options
Splines have two Placement Tool settings in the Tool Options Palette.
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Notes:
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| |
The Grade is defined as vertical rise divided by horizontal distance converted to a percentage figure. So a grade of 100% (the maximum allowed) would mean a gradient formed by both measurements having the same value (e.g. a rise of 50m over a distance of 50m). A vertical grade (such as up a cliff face) would have an infinite grade which is currently impossible in Surveyor. |
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Deleting Placed Objects
| Steps: To delete objects:- |
|
Select the object or a group of objects using either the:-
|
Free Move Tool (or press S ) OR |
|
Fine Adjustment Tool (or press D ) |
| |
Multiple objects can be selected by holding down the Shift key when using these tools |
| Then .. |
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Either:-
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Press the Delete key, OR |
|
Open the Context Menu of the object (or object group) and select the Delete option
|
|
|
|
|
|
You can also use the Marquee Tool to select an area of the route to delete its objects |
|
With these tools (Free Move, Fine Adjustment and Marquee) you can restrict the objects that can be selected and deleted by using filters in the Assets Palette. For more information see Narrowing the Search in the Eyedropper Tool section below |
|
|
The Eyedropper Tool
 |
Keyboard Shortcut: R |
The Eyedropper Tool identifies and selects objects in a Trainz World |
| This tool uses the Assets Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
|
|
The Eyedropper Tool has no drop down menu lists.
|
An Eyedropper is available in all the tools. Hold down the Alt key when using another tool and move the pointer onto an object to reveal its name |
|
Quick Steps
With the Eyedropper Tool selected, move the tool pointer (which will now be an eyedropper symbol) onto any object in view.
 |
|
Left click on the object to identify it (highlighted in grey) in the Assets Palette filter list 
|
|
|
Left click on the object name in the Assets Palette filter list to select it (highlighted in blue) and switch control to the Placement Tool
 |
Narrowing the Search
| Sometimes (or often) a scene will be too crowded with different scenery objects to be able to use the Eyedropper Tool to easily select a single object. In these cases additional options are available to help "remove the clutter". |
|
These filter options can be used with the Placement Tool, Free Move Tool, Fine Adjustment Tool and the Marquee Tool as well as with the Eyedropper Tool |
|
At the top of the Assets Palette is a drop down box which controls how the Tool works with the filters that you set.
 |
The drop down box will provide three options:-
|
Filter List |
|
Filter Selection |
|
Filter Visibility |
|
 |
|
These options work with the Asset Filters to help narrow the search for a specific object or type of object that is in the route.
| Filter List |
this option will have no effect on the operation of the Tool or on the objects displayed on the screen. It is the default setting and any selections made with the Tool will be shown in the Assets Palette as described in the section Quick Steps above. |
| Filter Selection |
this option will restrict the Tool to only working on those objects that are in the filtered list. Objects that are not in the filtered list cannot be selected. |
| Filter Visibility |
this option will hide all objects that are not in the filtered list. The only exceptions are Ground Textures and Effect Layers which will be visible but, unless they are also in the filtered list, cannot be selected. |
|
As an example the following images show the progressive application of a Visibility Filter.
The Free Move Tool
 |
Keyboard Shortcut: S |
The Free Move Tool moves objects around a Trainz World |
| This tool uses the Tool Options Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
|
|
The Free Move Tool has no drop down menu lists.
 |
|
Free Move Alternatives |
| In addition to the Free Move Tool the position and height of objects can be changed by:- |
|
using the Fine Adjustment Tool |
|
editing its X Y Z values in The Info Palette |
|
selecting the Apply Height option in its Context Menu |
|
|
|
Free Move: Scenery Mesh Objects
| Individual "non-spline" scenery objects that are not attached to track are often referred to in Trainz terminology as Scenery Mesh Objects. |
Free Move: Moving a Mesh Object
Free Move: Setting the Height of a Mesh Object
When placed in a route by the Placement Tool a scenery object will take the height of the terrain as its set height. It will be fixed to the terrain so when you move it around it will always be at the same height as the terrain it is over.
This can be changed to fix the object to a set height above or below the terrain.
|
 |
Steps: To set the height of a selected Scenery Mesh Object:-
|
enter a value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting, OR |
|
select the Apply Height option from the objects Context Menu to apply an existing height value, OR |
 |
enter a value in the objects Z (height) setting in the Info Palette or Left Click and Drag Up/Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see The Info Palette below). |
|
| The scenery object will now be fixed at the entered height above (or below) the terrain as it is moved around. The vertical yellow line shown in the second image on the left indicates the height change. The small yellow dot at the base of the line is the terrain attachment point for the object. |
|
|
A selected scenery object, or a group of selected scenery objects, will have a Context Icon that opens a Context Menu. The icon design will vary between object types.
To open a selected objects Context menu either:-
|
Left click the Context Icon  OR |
|
Press the T key |
|
|
Mesh Object Context Menu
 |
| Cut |
remove the selected object or objects and move them into the Scrapbook |
| Copy |
copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook |
| Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
| Delete |
delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
| Replace Object with Selected Asset |
the highlighted object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If the asset selected in the Assets Palette is the wrong type (e.g. a mesh object instead of a scenery spline) then this option will be greyed out |
| Paint Under Selected |
the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the highlighted object. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Radius and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out |
| Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match the height of the lowest object |
| Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth") |
| Apply Height |
sets the height of the objects to the value in the Tool Options Height text box |
| Reset Object Rotation |
resets the rotation angle of the objects to their default values |
| Randomise Object Rotation |
applies a random rotation angle to each object |
| Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
| Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected object |
|
|
Free Move: Track Objects
| Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, markers, etc) are always attached to an existing track. They can be moved to new positions along the track and in Surveyor Classic that was the limit of their movement. Surveyor 2.0 brings a new freedom of movement to track objects. They can be moved away from the track to the left or right as well as above and below the track. The operation of a track object is not affected by these changes. |
Free Move: Move a Track Object
The track object can still be moved along the track with the Free Move Tool.
To open a selected track objects Context menu either:-
|
Left click the Context Icon  OR |
|
Press the T key |
|
|
 |
| Cut |
remove the selected object or objects and move them into the Scrapbook |
| Copy |
copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook |
| Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
| Delete |
delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
| Replace Object with Selected Asset |
the highlighted object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If the asset selected in the Assets Palette is the wrong type (e.g. a scenery spline) then this option will be greyed out |
| Paint Under Selected |
the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the highlighted object. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Radius and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out |
| Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match the height of the lowest object |
| Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth") |
| Apply Height |
sets the height of the objects to the value in the Tool Options Height text box |
| Reattach to Track |
if the object has been moved away from the track then it will be reset to its correct position on the track |
| Rotate Trackside |
reverses the position of the object on the track (e.g. to the other side) |
| Change Junction Direction |
if the object is a track switch then its switch direction will be reversed |
| Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
| Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected object |
|
|
|
Track objects can be restored to their original height and position (on the track) by opening their Context Menu and selecting:-
|
Reattach to Track to cancel the both the height and position changes, OR |
|
Settle on Ground to cancel the height change only |
|
|
Track objects can also be rotated to the opposite side of the track.
 |
| Steps: To rotate a track object:- |
|
Open the track objects Context Menu (click the icon or press the T key) |
|
Select the option Rotate Trackside |
| Rotating a track object does not change its distance from the track or its height.
|
|
|
Free Move: Spline Objects (Including Track)
| Scenery splines and track splines are defined by their endpoints. Splines are usually added to a route as a series of joined segments linked at the endpoints. |
| Moving a spline can involve moving:- |
|
an endpoint, OR |
|
a segment, OR |
|
multiple segments including the whole length of the spline |
|
Free Move: Moving Spline Endpoints
Free Move: Moving Spline Segments
Splines are frequently made of multiple segments joined together. You can easily move a spline by moving its segments, individually or as a group.
 |
|
Not all splines have endpoints at each ends. As shown in the image on the left, some splines will have an "endcap" that is attached to the start of the first segment and to the end of the last segment. The use of an endcap is a purely cosmetic effect - to give the spline a more distinctive appearance.
|
|
|
 |
| IF you are going to select and move more than one spline segment, then:- |
|
hold the Shift key down and individually Left click between the endpoints on each additional segment.
The last segment that you click will have the temporary endpoint added. |
|
To select ALL the segments in a spline, Double-Left click on a segment
If the spline contains a junction then this will only select all the segments upto the junction point
The segment that you double-clicked will have the context icons and the temporary endpoint added |
|
|
|
|
Left Click and Drag the selected segment(s) in any horizontal direction.
| If you had selected:- |
|
only a single spline segment then only that segment will be moved and the adjacent segments that were not selected will have their shapes (but not their endpoints) adjusted |
|
multiple spline segments then those segments will be moved and the adjacent segments that were not selected will also have their shapes adjusted |
|
the entire spline then ALL the segments and endpoints will be moved |
|
Free Move: Spline Height Adjustment
Steps: To set the height of a spline endpoint or segment:-
|
enter a value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting, OR |
|
select the Apply Height option from the objects Context Menu to apply an existing height value, OR |
|
enter a value in the objects Z (height) setting in the Info Palette or Left Click and Drag Up/Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see The Info Palette below). |
|
| The object will be moved to the set height above (or below) the terrain. |
|
 |
|
Notes: |
| Splines have two different Context Icons that lead to two slightly different Context Menus. |
|
one context icon and menu for each endpoint |
|
one context icon and menu for the segment |
| If multiple segments have been selected then the last segment added to the selection will have the context icons. If all the segments were selected by a Double-LeftClick then the segment that was clicked will have the icons. |
|
|
|
To open a selected objects Context menu either:-
|
Left click the Context Icon  OR |
|
Press the T key |
|
|
 Endpoint Context Menu
 |
  Segment Context Menu
 |
| Cut |
remove the segment or segments and move them into the Scrapbook |
| Copy |
copy the segment or segments and place them into the Scrapbook |
| Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
| Delete |
delete the segment, segments or endpoint. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
| Replace Spline with Selected Asset |
the highlighted spline will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If the asset selected in the Assets Palette is the wrong type (e.g. a mesh object instead of a scenery spline) then this option will be greyed out |
| Paint Under Selected |
the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the highlighted spline segments. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Radius and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out |
| Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the segment or segments to match the set height of the spline (does not work on endpoints) |
| Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the selected endpoint to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth"). When used on segments the spline will follow the height changes of the terrain |
| Apply Height to this Spline Endpoint |
sets the height of the selected endpoint to the value in the Tool Options Height text box |
| Apply Height |
sets the height of the selected segment or segments to the value in the Tool Options Height text box |
| Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint |
sets the height of the endpoint to give a Grade to the surrounding segments that matches the value in the Tool Options Grade text box |
| Straighten Spline |
forces a straight line (as far as possible) between the endpoints of a single segment. This option will be ticked if the segment has already been straightened in which case selecting this option will "un-straighten" the segment and remove the tick |
| Separate Splines |
breaks the spline into two separate splines at the endpoint |
| Merge Splines |
removes the selected endpoint and merges the segments on both sides into one segment. The two segments can also be joined by selecting and deleting the endpoint with the Delete key |
| Insert Spline Point Here |
inserts a new endpoint in a segment at the point where it was clicked. This will create a new segment at the endpoint |
| Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
| Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected spline |
|
Free Move: Rolling Stock Objects
| Rolling Stock Objects (locomotives, wagons, etc) can only be moved along the track that they are attached to. If they are moved off the track then they will immediately "snap back" to the nearest track when they are released. |
Free Move: Moving Rolling Stock Objects
Use the Free Move tool to move a selected rolling stock object along the track.
|
To move an entire consist of rolling stock objects, Double Left click on any one of the objects in the consist to select them all and then move them as one object |
|
Free Move: Coupling Rolling Stock Objects
| All coupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects can be performed using just a Left Click and Drag. |
| Steps: To Couple rolling stock objects:- |
|
Select (Left click) the rolling stock object to be coupled to a consist or another rolling stock object
|
If more than one object has to be selected then use a Shift Left click to individually select each object |
|
|
Left Click and Drag the object along the track to its target object. When dragged rolling stock objects will "drop" or lower their height a few cms
|
If the selected object (or objects) is already part of a consist then dragging it will uncouple it from the consist before moving it |
|
|
When it reaches the target object and couples it cannot be moved any further. Release the object and it will return to its correct height |
|
Consider the following simple situation:-
| Coupling can also be performed using the rolling stock Context Menu. |
Using the same situation as above, the isolated guard van and the gondola wagon at the end of a consist are to be coupled together.
Using the Merge into a Single Train option with the Context Icon on the gondola wagon at the end of the consist. The guard van couples to the gondola wagon and the consist
|
|
|
Using the Merge into a Single Train option with the Context Icon on the guard van. The gondola wagon decouples from the consist and couples to the guard van
|
|
|
| Using a more complex example involving multiple objects from several different consists. The selected wagons shown below are to form a single consist based on the loco. |
 |
| The loco was the last object to be selected so it has the Context Icon. The Context Menu is opened and the option Merge into Single Train is selected with the result as shown below. |
 |
| The wagons and loco have been combined into a single consist but not necessarily in a useful order. It will be a simple Left Click and Drag operation to move the flat car from the front to the rear of the consist. |
Free Move: Decoupling Rolling Stock Objects
| All decoupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects are performed using just a Left Click and Drag. |
| Steps To Decouple rolling stock objects:- |
|
Select (Left click) the rolling stock object to be decoupled from the consist
|
If more than one object has to be decoupled then use a Shift Left click to select each object. The objects do not have to be connect to each other in the consist |
|
|
Left Click and Drag the object away from the consist. When dragged rolling stock objects will "drop" or lower their height a few cms |
|
Release the object on an unoccupied section of track |
|
|
To decouple a string of joined rolling stock objects from a consist (for example, the first or last 5 wagons), Shift Left Click (hold down the Shift key and Left click) on each of the objects to be selected and decoupled then drag them away from the consist |
|
A rolling stock object or objects in the middle of a consist can also be decoupled. This will break the consist into 3 sections.
 |
|
Select one (Left click) or more ( Shift Left click) rolling stock objects inside a consist |
 |
|
Left Click and Drag the object or objects out of the consist
|
Do not release the mouse button otherwise they will simply "snap back" onto the same track position or to the nearest track, regardless of whether it is already occupied or not. The yellow connecting line between the wagon and the track shown in the image on the left is like a stretched "rubber band" |
|
The rotating yellow X floating above the selected and now disconnected consist in the image indicates that it has been "derailed" from the track. This will disappear when it is "rerailled" again |
|
| |
|
Drag the objects to a suitable section of vacant track before releasing the mouse button |
|
To open a selected rolling stock objects Context menu either:-
|
Left click its Context Icon  OR |
|
Press the T key |
|
|
 |
|
Notes:
Unlike other Context Menus, the Cut and Copy menu options are not selectable for Rolling Stock Objects because these objects cannot be added to a Scrapbook. The Save to Consist Asset... option performs some of the Scrapbook functions for rolling stock. |
|
| Paste |
the contents of the current Scrapbook will be pasted at the cursor (focus) point |
|
| Delete |
the selected rolling stock objects will be deleted. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
| Paint Under Selected |
the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected rolling stock object. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Radius and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out |
|
| Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the rolling stock object to match its set height |
| Reattach to Track |
this option is only selecteable if a rolling stock object has derailed |
| Rotate Vehicle |
rotates (reverses) the facing direction of a selected rolling stock object. If more than one object has been selected then they will all have their directions reversed but they will remain in the same order |
| Change Consist Heading |
reverses the consist heading as indicated by the directions of the red and green arrows above the start and end of the consist |
| Rotate Consist Heading |
the entire consist is reversed, both in the order of the vehicles and the direction they face |
| Merge into Single Train |
when two or more separated rolling stock assets have been selected they will be coupled into a single consist. See Merging Rolling Stock Objects for more details |
| Save to Consist Asset... |
saves the selected rolling stock objects as a new consist asset in the Assets Palette |
| Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected rolling stock object in the Assets Palette |
| Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected rolling stock object |
|
|
|
The Fine Adjustment Tool
 |
Keyboard Shortcut: D |
The Fine Adjustment Tool makes 3D adjustments (position and rotations) to objects in a Trainz World |
| This tool uses the Tool Options Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
|
|
The Fine Adjustment Tool has no drop down menu lists.
 |
|
Fine Adjustment Alternatives |
| In addition to the Fine Adjustment Tool the position and height of objects can be changed by:- |
|
using the Free Move Tool |
|
editing its X Y Z R P Y values in The Info Palette |
|
selecting the Apply Height option in its Context Menu |
|
|
|
| The most obvious feature of the Fine Adjustment Tool is the 3D Anchor Frame it adds to a selected object. The frame is made of 3 straight and 3 curved coloured lines, called Anchors, which control position and orientation. |
 |
The Anchor controls are:-
| The Horizontal and Vertical Anchors |
| Red Green Blue |
move the object (forward and back) in the direction of the Anchor line |
| The Rotational Anchors |
| Red Green Blue |
rotate the object (clockwise and anti-clockwise) along the Anchor arc line |
| The Object Anchor |
| (black central dot) moves the object in any horizontal direction |
| Steps: To use the Fine Adjustment Tool controls:- |
|
move the tool pointer onto an Anchor - its colour will change to yellow for Anchor lines or green for the Object Anchor |
|
Left Click and Drag along the chosen line in the required direction (e.g. up on the blue vertical Anchor or clockwise around the arc of the red rotational Anchor) |
|
|
|
|
Not all objects will have Red and/or Green rotational Anchors. |
|
|
|
To achieve finer and more accurate control when moving anchor points, either:- |
|
zoom in closer to the anchor point, OR |
|
use the X Y Z fine adjustment arrows in the Info Palette object Pos controls. These arrows can be used to set the height and position to cm accuracy (see The Info Palette below). |
|
Fine Adjustment: Scenery Mesh Objects
| Individual "non-spline" scenery objects that are not attached to track are often referred to in Trainz terminology as Scenery Mesh Objects. |
Fine Adjustment: Move a Mesh Object
| Steps: To move an object with the Fine Adjustment Tool:- |
|
Left Click and Drag anywhere on the selected object (except on an Anchor line) to move it freely in any horizontal direction |
|
OR |
|
Left Click and Drag on an Anchor line to move or rotate it in the direction of the line or arc |
| These operations can also be performed on a group of selected objects. The 3D Anchor Frame will be on the last object added to the group. |
|
Blue vertical Anchor movement
 |
|
Green Anchor rotation
 |
|
Red Anchor rotation
 |
|
Blue Anchor rotation
 |
|
Notes:
Objects can be restored to their original height and rotation settings by opening their Context Menu and selecting either:-
|
Reset Object Rotation to cancel the rotation changes, OR |
|
Settle on Ground to cancel the height change |
The Randomise Object Rotation option in the Context Menu only affects rotations around the vertical axis.
|
|
|
Fine Adjustment: Setting the Height of a Mesh Object
Steps: To set the height of a selected scenery mesh object:-
|
enter a value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting, OR |
|
select the Apply Height option from the objects Context Menu to apply an existing height value, OR |
|
enter a value in the objects Z (height) setting in the Info Palette or Left Click and Drag Up/Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see The Info Palette below). |
|
| The object will be moved to the set height above (or below) the terrain. |
|
|
| Cut |
remove the selected object or objects and move them into the Scrapbook |
|
| Copy |
copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook |
|
| Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
|
| Delete |
delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
|
| Replace Object with Selected Asset |
the highlighted object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If no object has been selected in the Assets Palette or it is the wrong type (e.g. a scenery spline instead of a mesh object) then this option will be greyed out |
|
| Paint Under Selected |
the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the highlighted object. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Radius and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out |
|
| Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then it will attempt to set the terrain heights to match the height of each object |
|
| Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth") |
|
| Apply Height |
sets the height of the objects to the value in the Tool Options Height option |
|
| Reset Object Rotation |
resets the rotation angle of the objects to their default values |
|
| Randomise Object Rotation |
applies a random rotation angle to each object |
|
| Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
|
| Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected object |
|
|
|
Fine Adjustment: Track Objects
| Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, markers, etc) are always attached to an existing track. They can be moved to new positions along the track and in Surveyor Classic that was the limit of their movement. Surveyor 2.0 brings a new freedom of movement to track objects. They can be moved away from the track to the left or right as well as above and below the track. The operation of a track object is not affected by these changes. |
Fine Adjustment: Move a Track Object
|
For movements along the track - Left Click and Drag:-
|
anywhere within the object (except on an Anchor Line or Anchor Point), OR |
|
on the Green horizontal Anchor line (movement is restricted to the Anchor line and track only) |
|
|
For movements left or right of the track - Left Click and Drag
|
on the Red horizontal Anchor line (movement is restricted to the Anchor line only), OR |
|
on the Object Anchor (the black dot) to get unrestricted horizontal movement, OR |
|
|
To move a track object vertically:-
|
Left Click and Drag on the Blue vertical Anchor line (movement is restricted to the Anchor line only), OR |
|
enter a value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting, OR |
|
select the Apply Height option from the objects Context Menu to apply an existing height value, OR |
|
enter a value in the objects Z (height) setting in the Info Palette or Left Click and Drag Up/Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see The Info Palette below). |
|
| For most track objects the Rotational Anchors have no effect |
|
 |
|
Situations where it is useful to be able to move a track object away from the track include:- |
|
placing Track Marks and Triggers above or beside the track so that they are not hidden by consists parked on top of them |
|
repositioning switches, signals, track signs closer to or further away from the track - particularly useful if the track object was originally created for a different gauge track
|
|
|
To open a selected track objects Context menu either:-
|
Left click the Context Icon OR |
|
Press the T key |
|
|
|
| Cut |
remove the selected object or objects and move them into the Scrapbook |
| Copy |
copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook |
| Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
| Delete |
delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
| Replace Object with Selected Asset |
the highlighted object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If the asset selected in the Assets Palette is the wrong type (e.g. a scenery spline) then this option will be greyed out |
| Paint Under Selected |
the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the highlighted object. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Radius and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out |
| Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match the height of the lowest object |
| Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth") |
| Apply Height |
sets the height of the objects to the value in the Tool Options Height text box |
| Reattach to Track |
if the object has been moved away from the track then it will be reset to its correct position on the track |
| Rotate Trackside |
reverses the position of the object on the track (e.g. to the other side) |
| Change Junction Direction |
if the object is a track switch then its switch direction will be reversed |
| Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
| Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected object |
|
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Track objects can be restored to their original height and position (on the track) by opening their Context Menu and selecting:-
|
Reattach to Track to cancel the both the height and position changes, OR |
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Settle on Ground to cancel the height change only |
|
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Track objects can also be rotated to the opposite side of the track.
 |
| Steps: To rotate a track object:- |
|
Open the track objects Context Menu (click the icon or press the T key) |
|
Select the option Rotate Trackside |
| Rotating a track object does not change its distance from the track.
|
|
|
Fine Adjustment: Spline Objects (Including Track)
| Scenery splines and track splines are defined by their endpoints. Splines are usually added to a route as a series of joined segments linked at the endpoints. |
| Moving a spline can involve moving:- |
|
an endpoint, OR |
|
a segment, OR |
|
multiple segments including the whole length of the spline |
|
Fine Adjustment: Moving Spline Endpoints
Fine Adjustment: Moving Spline Segments
|
The Green rotational Anchor CANNOT be used on Track splines
|
|
 |
The 3D Anchor Frame shown is for a spline segment.
| Steps: To move spline segments:- |
|
Select the Fine Adjustment Tool. |
|
Select, Left click on, the spline segment to be moved. |
|
Left Click and Drag either:- |
| |
|
an Anchor to move the endpoint in that specific direction, OR |
|
anywhere in a segment to move it in any direction in the horizontal plane |
|
|
|
|
To select:-
|
more than one segment. Hold the Shift key down and individually Left click on each segment |
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ALL the segments. Double-Left click on a segment. If the spline contains a junction then this will only select all the segments upto the junction point |
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|
 |
Selecting a spline segment with the Fine Adjustment Tool will add a Temporary Endpoint at the point where the segment was clicked.
This will produce 3 Fine Adjustment Tool control frames, one at each end of the segment and one at the click point, as shown in the image on the left. The whole segment can be moved, as shown in the following images, by a Left Click and Drag anywhere within the segment. |
|
|
a Blue line height change and a Red Anchor rotation can be cancelled at any time (even after saving and reloading the route) by selecting the Settle on Ground option from the segments Context Menu |
|
a Blue Anchor rotation can be straightened at any time (even after saving and reloading the route) by selecting the Straighten Spline option from the segments Context Menu but this will not return the endpoints to their original positions
|
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Fine Adjustment: Rolling Stock Objects
| Rolling Stock Objects (locomotives, wagons, etc) can only be moved along the track that they are attached to. If they are moved off the track then they will immediately "snap back" to the nearest track when they are released. |
Fine Adjustment: Moving Rolling Stock Objects
Use the Fine Adjustment tool to move a selected rolling stock object along the track.
|
To move an entire consist of rolling stock objects, Double Left click on any one of the objects in the consist to select them all and then move them as one object |
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 |
|
Despite their presence in the Fine Adjustment Tool 3D Anchor Frame the Red Green Blue Rotational Anchor lines and the Blue Vertical Anchor Line will NOT work on Rolling Stock Objects |
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The Object Anchor (the central dot) will move the selected rolling stock object or objects in any horizontal direction but they will always be attached to the nearest track spline |
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The Green Horizontal Anchor Line will move the selected rolling stock object or objects along the track |
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The Red Horizontal Anchor Line will move the selected rolling stock object or objects horizontally off the track but they will always be attached to the nearest track spline |
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|
Notes:
It is possible to place a rolling stock object so that it "overlaps" (occupies the same space as) another rolling stock object. A large yellow X rotating above the rolling stock object is a sign of this "conflict".
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| |
 |
This can happen if a rolling stock object is moved off the track and released. It will instantly snap to the nearest track position even if that position is already occupied.
The simple solution is to use the Fine Adjustment Tool to move the incorrectly placed object to an unoccupied section of the track. |
|
Fine Adjustment: Coupling Rolling Stock Objects
| All coupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects can be performed using just a Left Click and Drag. |
| Steps: To Couple rolling stock objects:- |
|
Select (Left click) the rolling stock object to be coupled to a consist or another rolling stock object
|
If more than one object has to be selected then use a Shift Left click to individually select each object |
|
|
Left Click and Drag the object along the track to its target object. When dragged rolling stock objects will "drop" or lower their height a few cms
|
If the selected object (or objects) is already part of a consist then dragging it will uncouple it from the consist before moving it |
|
|
When it reaches the target object and couples it cannot be moved any further. Release the object and it will return to its correct height |
|
Consider the following simple situation:-
| Coupling can also be performed using the rolling stock Context Menu. |
Using the same situation as above, the isolated guard van and the gondola wagon at the end of a consist are to be coupled together.
Using the Merge into a Single Train option with the Context Icon on the gondola wagon at the end of the consist. The guard van couples to the gondola wagon and the consist
|
|
|
Using the Merge into a Single Train option with the Context Icon on the guard van. The gondola wagon decouples from the consist and couples to the guard van
|
|
|
| Using a more complex example involving multiple objects from several different consists. The selected wagons shown below are to form a single consist based on the loco. |
|
| The loco was the last object to be selected so it has the Context Icon. The Context Menu is opened and the option Merge into Single Train is selected with the result as shown below. |
|
| The wagons and loco have been combined into a single consist but not necessarily in a useful order. It will be a simple Left Click and Drag operation to move the flat car from the front to the rear of the consist. |
Fine Adjustment: Decoupling Rolling Stock Objects
| All decoupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects are performed using just a Left Click and Drag. |
| Steps To Decouple rolling stock objects:- |
|
Select (Left click) the rolling stock object to be decoupled from the consist
|
If more than one object has to be decoupled then use a Shift Left click to select each object. The objects do not have to be connect to each other in the consist |
|
|
Left Click and Drag the object away from the consist. When dragged rolling stock objects will "drop" or lower their height a few cms |
|
Release the object on an unoccupied section of track |
|
|
To decouple a string of joined rolling stock objects from a consist (for example, the first or last 5 wagons), Shift Left Click (hold down the Shift key and Left click) on each of the objects to be selected and decoupled then drag them away from the consist |
|
A rolling stock object or objects in the middle of a consist can also be decoupled. This will break the consist into 3 sections.
|
|
Select one (Left click) or more ( Shift Left click) rolling stock objects inside a consist |
|
|
Left Click and Drag the object or objects out of the consist
|
Do not release the mouse button otherwise they will simply "snap back" onto the same track position or to the nearest track, regardless of whether it is already occupied or not. The yellow connecting line between the wagon and the track shown in the image on the left is like a stretched "rubber band" |
|
The rotating yellow X floating above the selected and now disconnected consist in the image indicates that it has been "derailed" from the track. This will disappear when it is "rerailled" again |
|
| |
|
Drag the objects to a suitable section of vacant track before releasing the mouse button |
|
To open a selected rolling stock objects Context menu either:-
|
Left click its Context Icon OR |
|
Press the T key |
|
|
|
|
Notes:
Unlike other Context Menus, the Cut and Copy menu options are not selectable for Rolling Stock Objects because these objects cannot be added to a Scrapbook. The Save to Consist Asset... option performs some of the Scrapbook functions for rolling stock. |
|
| Paste |
the contents of the current Scrapbook will be pasted at the cursor (focus) point |
|
| Delete |
the selected rolling stock objects will be deleted. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
| Paint Under Selected |
the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected rolling stock object. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Radius and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out |
|
| Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the rolling stock object to match its set height |
| Reattach to Track |
this option is only selecteable if a rolling stock object has derailed |
| Rotate Vehicle |
rotates (reverses) the facing direction of a selected rolling stock object. If more than one object has been selected then they will all have their directions reversed but they will remain in the same order |
| Change Consist Heading |
reverses the consist heading as indicated by the directions of the red and green arrows above the start and end of the consist |
| Rotate Consist Heading |
the entire consist is reversed, both in the order of the vehicles and the direction they face |
| Merge into Single Train |
when two or more separated rolling stock assets have been selected they will be coupled into a single consist. See Merging Rolling Stock Objects for more details |
| Save to Consist Asset... |
saves the selected rolling stock objects as a new consist asset in the Assets Palette |
| Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected rolling stock object in the Assets Palette |
| Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected rolling stock object |
|
|
|
Fine Adjustment: Object Heights
| Two Anchor Points on the Blue vertical Anchor line determine the height of an endpoint or an object above the ground. |
|
the height of a Rolling Stock Object (locomotive, wagon, etc) cannot be altered |
|
the Object Height Anchor, which is normally Black but turns Green when it is selected, controls the height of the object (including spline Endpoints) above the ground. This Anchor point can be moved vertically by the tool pointer |
|
the Ground Height Anchor, which is Yellow, marks the position of the object on the ground. This Anchor point cannot be moved vertically by the tool pointer but its height can be changed by setting the Tool Options Palette Height value |
| It is common for both height anchors to be at the same height but there are many situation where the two will be at different heights. The examples below show situations where the two are at different heights and the height of the Object Height Anchor will need to be adjusted. |
|
A more complex alternative method is to use the Surveyor Compass Rose, the Info Palette and the Tool Options Palette.
The Surveyor Compass Rose |
| Steps: |
|
Right click on the terrain at a point which has the height that will be used by the object. This will position the Surveyor Compass Rose and record its data as the Focus |
|
Open the Focus controls in the Info Palette by a Left click on the small Right Arrowhead to the left of the Focus label |
|
 |
The Info Palette stores the positional data, including the Height (the Z value), of the Compass Rose under the label Focus |
|
|
Left click on the white Down Arrowhead next to the Z value and select the menu option Use Height for Brush . This will transfer the Focus Z value to the Tool Options Palette Height control |
|
Open the Context Menu for the object (or spline endpoint) |
|
Select the option Apply Height or Apply Height to this Spline Endpoint |
|
|
The Marquee Tool
 |
Keyboard Shortcut: F |
The Marquee Tool selects and copies the objects, deletes baseboards, adds new baseboards and sets their properties in a Trainz World |
The Marquee Tool has no drop down menu lists.
| Some features of this tool use the Scrapbook Palette, Assets Palette and Tool Options Palette. If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
|
|
| The Marquee Tool draws out a rectangular area, the Marquee Selection Area, on the route. Any objects (including Ground Heights, Ground Textures and Effect Layers) that are inside the Marquee Selection Area or touched by its boundary will be selected. |
| In the image above:- |
|
a road spline at the bottom and a house at the lower left of the Marquee Selection Area have been overlain by the drawn rectangle so they have been included in the selection. |
|
the Marquee Selection Area was drawn from the top left to the bottom right which places the Marquee Context Icon at the bottom right of the rectangle. |
|
the bottom right of the Marquee Selection Area also has a 3D Anchor Frame. |
|
The road spline was the last object that was included in the selection area so its Context Icons are also present. |
Not shown in the image, because they are not highlighted, are the Ground Heights, Ground Textures and Effect Layers that are also included in the Marquee Selection Area.
 |
The Marquee Selection Area 3D Anchor Frame has some similarities to the one used with the Fine Adjustment Tool.
|
the Green and Red horizontal Anchors will move the Marquee and all its contents in the Anchor direction |
|
the Blue rotational Anchor will rotate the Marquee with all its contents in the direction of the rotation movement |
|
there are no Green and Red rotational Anchors |
|
at the centre of the 3D Anchor Frame is a Select Area Anchor. Left Click and Drag this Anchor point to move the Marquee with all its contents in any horizontal direction |
|
each of the Green and Red horizontal Anchors has a resize Anchor, an orange coloured dot, located at its end. Left Click and Drag these Anchor points to resize the Marquee Selection Area (and its contents) in that specific direction |
|
| Steps: To Create a Marquee Selection Area:- |
|
select the Marquee Tool (or press the F key) |
|
Left Click and Drag out the Marquee Selection Area around the objects to be selected |
|
The Marquee Tool and the Assets Palette Filter
| The Assets Palette filter tools can be used to restrict the objects selected by the Marquee Tool. |
 |
| Steps: To restrict the objects selected by the Marquee Tool:- |
|
set the Filter Type in the Assets Palette to Filter Selection |
|
set the other filter options in the Assets Palette to narrow down the type of objects (e.g. Scenery Splines and/or enter a partial name in the Text Box) |
|
select the Marquee Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the F key) |
|
Left Click and Drag out the Marquee Selection Area around the objects to be selected |
| Only those objects identified in the Assets Palette filters will be selected by the Marquee |
|
|
Using the Filters shown above, the Marquee Selection Area only selects scenery spline objects.
Marquee Anchor Controls
The following images demonstrate the effect of using the Marquee Anchor Controls on the image shown at the top of this section as the starting point.
Horizontal Anchor Shift
| |
The Green horizontal Anchor has been used to shift the Marquee Selection Area to the left. Note that the 3 trees and a small building that were on the left of the Marquee Selection Area in the image above have been replaced (overwritten) by the Marquee contents. Also note that the texture has been moved leaving a gap showing the original grid texture. |
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| |
 |
| |
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Rotational Anchor Shift
| |
The Blue rotational Anchor has been used to rotate the Marquee Selection Area about 45° anti-clockwise. Again, anything that was originally in the area now covered by the Marquee Selection Area has been replaced by the contents of the Marquee. Also note that the texture has been moved leaving a gap showing the original grid texture. |
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| |
 |
| |
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Vertical Anchor Shift
| |
The Blue vertical Anchor has been used to lift the Marquee Selection Area upwards. |
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| |
 |
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Notes:
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| The Marquee Anchors will move:- |
|
the selected scenery objects. If the objects are in locked layers then they will be copied before being moved and the original objects will remain in place |
|
the ground textures. As shown in two of the images this will leave the original baseboard ground texture showing |
|
the effect layers |
|
the ground heights |
|
|
To open the Marquee Context menu either:-
|
Left click the Marquee Context Icon  OR |
|
Press the T key |
|
|
Marquee Context Menu
 |
|
Cut |
the objects selected in the Marquee area (including the ground heights, ground textures and effect layers) will be copied and placed into a new Scrapbook. Any scenery objects (excluding ground heights, ground textures and effect layers) that are not in a locked layer will be removed from the Marquee area. |
| Copy |
the objects selected in the Marquee area (including ground heights, ground textures and effect layers) will be copied and placed into a new Scrapbook. |
| Paste to Selected Area |
the contents of the current Scrapbook will be pasted into the Marquee area. Which contents will be pasted and how they will be pasted are controlled by the Filters in the Scrapbook Palette (see Scrapbook Data for more details). This option will always be available with and without a Marquee area being marked if there is a scrapbook available to be pasted. |
| Delete |
the selected scenery objects that are not in locked layers will be removed from the Marquee area but NOT the selected ground heights, ground textures and effect layers. |
|
|
| Paint Within Marquee |
the currently selected Ground Texture will be painted into the Marquee area using the Radius and Sensitivity settings in the Brush Tool Options. If no texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out. |
|
|
If the Marquee Selection Area goes beyond the current baseboards into "empty space" then this command will create new baseboards in those empty spaces and fill them with the selected texture |
|
| Set Marquee to Brush Height |
the Ground Height in the Marquee area will be set using the Height setting in the Brush Tool Options. |
|
|
If the Marquee Selection Area goes beyond the current baseboards into "empty space" then this command will create new baseboards in those empty spaces and set their height to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting. The new baseboards will be filled with the default texture for the selected Region |
|
| Convert Baseboards To |
the entire baseboard where the Marquee selection area is located will be converted to a 5 metre or a 10 metre grid size (select one from the sub menu). The 5 metre grid gives a more accurate ground shape but it uses 4x as much memory. |
|
|
If the Marquee Selection Area goes beyond the current baseboards into "empty space" then this command will create new baseboards in those empty spaces and set their grid resolution to the seleted value. The new baseboards will be filled with the default texture for the selected Region |
|
| Delete Baseboards in Marquee |
when a Marquee Selection Area is drawn inside a baseboard, the entire baseboard will be given a green border. If the Marquee is drawn over the boundary between baseboards then both will have a green border. This option will delete ALL the baseboards that have a green border. |
| Select in Assets Palette |
when a single object has been highlighted, including ground textures and effect layers, this will identify the asset in the Assets Palette. |
|
|
|
Scrapbook Operations
|
Notes:
|
| Scrapbooks, when created, will contain:- |
|
Ground Heights |
|
Ground Textures |
|
Effect Layers - if present |
|
Selected Objects - scenery items, splines, track, signals, etc |
| But NOT Rolling Stock (Trains)
|
| Ground heights, textures and effect layers are always included in a scrapbook but you can control which visible objects are added by manually selecting them or using the filter controls in the Assets Palette |
|
|
|
Notes:
|
|
Scrapbooks, when painted or pasted, can contain any combinations of:- |
|
Ground Heights |
|
Ground Textures |
|
Effect Layers |
|
Scenery Objects (Meshes) - individual buildings, trees, signals, etc |
|
Scenery Splines - roads, track, fences, etc |
| You have options that will control which of these data categories are transferred and how they are transferred from the scrapbook into a route. |
|
|
Once an area has been marked out by the Marquee Tool a number of options become available.
 |
| The Trainz Edit Menu will show some additional options specifically for the Marquee Tool:- |
| Cut |
the objects selected in the Marquee area (including the ground heights, ground textures and effect layers) will be copied and placed into a new Scrapbook. Any scenery objects (excluding ground heights, ground textures and effect layers) that are not in a locked layer will be removed from the Marquee area. |
| Copy |
the objects selected in the Marquee area (including ground heights, ground textures and effect layers) will be copied and placed into a new Scrapbook. |
| Paste |
the contents of the current Scrapbook will be pasted into the route at the cursor (focus) point. Which contents will be pasted and how they will be pasted are controlled by the Filters in the Scrapbook Palette (see Scrapbook Data for more details). This option will always be available with and without a Marquee area being marked if there is a scrapbook available to be pasted. |
| Clear |
the selected scenery objects that are not in locked layers will be removed from the Marquee area but NOT the selected ground heights, ground textures and effect layers. |
| Select None |
the Marquee Selection Area boundary lines are removed from the route cancelling the selection process. Nothing that was inside the area will be removed. |
|
|
Adding a New Scrapbook
The Cut and Copy Scrapbook operations are also found in the Marquee Context Menu (see the Marquee Context Menu section above).
|
You don't have to use the Marquee Tool to create a new Scrapbook. You can use the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool to select any number of objects and then press Ctrl C . The selected objects, along with the ground height, ground textures, and any effect layers, will be copied into a new Scrapbook |
|
When a new Scrapbook is created by a Cut or Copy , it will appear in the Scrapbook palette with some basic details.
 |
| The newly created scrapbook will be given:- |
|
a name consisting of the date and time of its creation |
|
a thumbnail |
|
The thumbnail image will be taken using the current camera POV (point of view). To get a better image adjust the camera position and view to give the best possible shot of the Scrapbook objects before giving the Cut or Copy command
|
|
|
|
a scrapbook number (it will be inserted as №1 scrapbook) |
|
an expiry date which will be set 5 days after its creation - this will countdown each day until 0 when the new scrapbook will be deleted |
|
|
Notes:
Scrapbooks use very little memory so there is no real limit to how many you can store in the palette but finding the one you want will be more difficult as the list grows longer |
|
|
|
Scrapbooks, old and new, can be deleted at any time by clicking the Delete icon. Deleting a Scrapbook does not delete the objects it contains |
|
There are two changes that can be made to the new scrapbook:-
|
Give it a name - Left click inside the Name Text Box and type a new name |
|
Make it permanent - Left click the white Pin icon (). The scrapbook will no longer expire but it can still be deleted at any time |
| Pinned scrapbooks are always shown with a blue pin icon and the words "pinned, no expiry" displayed next to their scrapbook № |
|
The Pinning of any scrapbook can be reversed so that it will then expire in 5 days time. Simply Left click the blue pin icon. |
|
|
|
 |
Once a scrapbook has been Pinned it becomes an asset and will appear in Content Manager
The scrapbook can be uploaded to the DLS and saved as a CDP file.
|
You can archive your scrapbooks as CDP files to keep the number of installed scrapbooks to a minimum. If an archived scrapbook is needed then you can use the Import Content Files option in Content Manager to add it to the Scrapbook Palette. It can be deleted from the palette later, when no longer needed. |
|
Managing Baseboards
The Marquee is a powerful tool for adding, deleting and changing the properties of multiple baseboards.
 |
| Steps: To add new baseboards:- |
|
select the Marquee Tool (or press the F key). |
|
Left Click and Drag to draw out an area where the new baseboards will be added. This area can include the current baseboard. |
| The Marquee Selection Area, shown with a green border in the image on the left, covers the existing baseboard (black, bottom left) and where 3 new baseboards will be created. The Marquee has a Context Icon as shown in the image. |
|
Left click on the Context Icon or press the T key to open up the Marquee Context Menu (see Marquee Context Menu above). |
|
Create, Convert, Delete |
|
To Create new baseboards, and to Convert selected baseboards to a different Grid Resolution, select the Context Menu option Convert Baseboards To > then select a resolution from two sub-options, 5m Grid and 10m Grid . If existing baseboards have been selected then they will also be converted to the new resolution.
|
|
To Delete baseboards select the Context Menu option Delete Baseboards in Marquee . The Ctrl Z keys can Undo the deletion.
|
|
To set the selected baseboards to the Height value in the Tool Options Palette select the Context Menu option Set Marquee to Brush Height . If the Marquee extends over "empty space" then new baseboards will be created at the set Height value.
|
|
|
Mass Object Moves and Clones
|
Both the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool can move and clone (copy) single and multiple objects. The Marquee Tool can also move and clone objects but will include Ground Height, Ground Textures and Effect Layers in the cloning and moving operations.
|
|
Selecting and Moving Multiple Objects
Multiple objects can be selected and moved with the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool.
|
Notes: Mass Moves
|
| The objects do not have to be:- |
|
the same type. They can be a mixture of scenery splines and mesh objects |
|
in the same layers but objects in Locked layers will not be moved |
|
|
|
|
You can also use the Marquee Tool to move objects but this will move Ground Heights, Ground Textures and Effect Layers as well as objects. |
|
|
Selecting Multiple Identical Objects
You can quickly select all nearby identical objects by a Double-LeftClick on an object.
|
This also applies to all the wagons in a consist. Double-LeftClick on any one of them to select all of them - they do not have to be identical wagons. |
|
| A forest of many different trees. Only one has been selected. |
Double-LeftClick on a tree to select all the identical trees in the forest. |
 |
 |
|
Hold down the Shift key and Double-LeftClick on another object. It and all its identical copies will be added to the selection. |
|
Cloning Objects
| You can easily clone single and multiple selected objects. If you have selected a group of objects they do not have to be the same type - you can select scenery objects and scenery splines. |
|
Notes: Layers and Cloning
|
|
the objects can be in different layers |
|
the layers can be locked and the objects will still be cloned |
|
all the cloned objects will be placed into the current Active Layer which must be Unlocked |
| For more information on layers see The Info Palette at the end of this document. |
|
|
| Steps: To clone an object or a group of objects:- |
|
use either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool to select the object or objects |
|
hold down the Ctrl key and Left Click and Drag on any of the selected objects |
|
|
The Info Palette
| If the Info Palette is not visible on the screen then refer to Hiding and Showing Palettes at the top of this document. Some Info Palette functions will also require the Assets Palette and the Tool Options Palette.
|
|
| This palette can be easily overlooked but it has some very useful features:- |
|
providing precise data and control over the "focus" - the position of the cursor |
|
providing precise data and control over the position and orientation of objects (it can be used instead of the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool) |
|
identifying and setting the "home" layer and binding layer of a selected object |
|
used for locking and unlocking a selected objects layer |
The Info Palette will appear as shown in the image below.
 |
Each of the small arrowhead icons will open the palette to display more information and some controls. |
Focus Info and Controls
The Focus shows the current position and height of the Cursor object. Open up the Focus by Left clicking on its arrowhead icon.
|
Before changing the cursor position with the Focus controls, set a Bookmark at its current position.
|
|
 |
The current cursor position is shown in the X, Y and Z text boxes. These values can be edited to move the cursor to a new position but CARE will be needed.
|
Notes:
If you enter an X or Y value that is "out in empty space" (beyond the edge of a boundary baseboard) then the cursor will be refocussed at a point on the baseboard edge that is the closest to the entered co-ordinates.
|
|
On the right of each box is a pair of Up/Down controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the cursor position in smaller increments down to centimetres
|
Next to the Z co-ordinate is a small white down arrowhead. Left click on the arrow to open its menu.
 |
There is only one item in the sub-menu. Use Height for Brush
Left click on the option to copy the current cursor height (Z) value from the Info Palette to the Tool Options Palette Height entry. |
You must have an object (or objects) selected for a name to be shown and the menu to be available.
 |
If the selected objects are different then a count of the additional objects will be added. The (+2) shown in the object name in the image on the left indicates that "2" additional different objects are in the group of selected objects. The name and position data shown will be for the last selected object. |
Next to the objects name is a small white Down Arrowhead. Left click on the arrowhead to open its menu.
 |
The menu options are:-
| Copy |
NOT WORKING (a known bug) - this option copies the objects details as text for pasting into a text editor |
| Show Asset Details |
opens a new window showing the image and description of the selected object |
| List Assets in New Window |
opens up Content Manager and lists all the selected objects |
| Add to Picklist |
adds selected objects to a Picklist |
| Remove from Picklist |
removes selected objects from a Picklist (objects must already be in a Picklist) |
| Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
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Position Info and Controls
You must have an object (or objects) selected for the position data to be shown and edited. Open up the position data by Left clicking on its Pos: arrowhead icon.
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The position of the selected object (or the last object if more than one is selected) is shown in the X, Y and Z text boxes. These values can be edited to move the object or objects to a new position but CARE will be needed.
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Notes:
If you enter an X or Y value that is "out in empty space" (beyond the edge of a boundary baseboard) then the objects will be moved to that position and may vanish from view. The Undo command can be used to reverse the move or the Marquee Tool can be used to add a baseboard under the "floating" objects. |
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On the right of each box is a pair of Up/Down controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the position in smaller increments down to centimetres
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Next to the Z co-ordinate is a small white down arrowhead. Left click on the arrow to open its menu.
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There is only one item in the sub-menu. Use Height for Brush
Left click on the option to copy the height (Z) value for the selected object from the Info Palette to the Tool Options Palette Height entry. |
Rotation Info and Controls
You must have an object (or objects) selected for the rotation data to be shown and edited. Open up the rotation data by Left clicking on its Rot: arrowhead icon.
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The rotational orientation of the selected object (or the last object if more than one is selected) is shown in the R, P and Y text boxes. These values can be edited to rotate the object or objects in 3D space BUT not all objects can be rotated in certain directions.
On the right of each box is a pair of Up/Down controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the rotation angle in increments of 1°.
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Layer Info and Controls
You must have an object (or objects) selected for the layer data to be shown and edited. Open up the layer data by Left clicking on its Layer: arrowhead icon.
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Notes:
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the Info Palette is best used to show and edit the layer and binding layer assignments of individual selected objects |
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operations such as creating, deleting, merging, renaming, moving and hiding layers are performed using the Assets Palette |
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layers can be Locked and Unlocked using the Info Palette or the Assets Palette but the Assets Palette is often the better choice for this |
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This will show the:-
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current layer assigned to the selected object |
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its assigned Binding Layer (if any) |
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the Locked/Unlocked status of the assigned layer |
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 Layer is currently Unlocked. Click this button to Lock the layer |
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 Layer is currently Locked. Click this button to Unlock the layer |
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Using this button will also change the Locked/Unlocked padlock icon shown next to the layer name in the Assets Palette
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If multiple objects from different layers have been selected then no layer name will be shown in the Layer and Binding boxes. Instead they will be left "blank" as shown in the image on the left.
Both boxes can still be opened to assign layers to objects. |
Assigning Objects to a Different Layer
A selected object or group of selected objects can be assigned to a different layer. If multiple objects have been selected then they do not have to all be in the same layer.
Once a target layer has been selected then the Select Layer button, which sets the Active Layer, may become active.
The Active Layer is the layer used by the Placement Tool when objects are added to a route (or session). This button gives you the opportunity to set the Active Layer to the same layer that you just used to assign to an object. Its use is optional.
You can also set the Active Layer by selecting its name from the list in the Layers Palette. |
| If the Select Layer button is greyed out |
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then the selected object is now assigned to the current Active Layer so there is no need to use this option |
| If it is NOT greyed out |
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then the selected object is now assigned to a layer that is not the current Active Layer. You have the option to Left click on this button to switch the Active Layer to the same layer as the object
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Assigning Objects to a Binding Layer
| The Binding Layer, or Bound Layer as it is also called, is a tool used in the development of a route or session. It allows you to temporarily assign an object to a second layer while it is still in its original layer. The object will then take on the properties (Locked/Unlocked, Hidden/Visible) of both layers. |
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LOCKED then the object will be LOCKED |
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HIDDEN then the object will be HIDDEN |
Some examples of using the Binding Layer:-
Example 1: |
| The problem: |
You need to stop an object from being selected so that you can you move other objects on or around it |
| The solution: |
The easiest solution is to use the Layers Palette to create a new empty layer and lock it. Set the Binding Layer of the object to the new locked layer. The object will then be locked so it cannot be selected or moved even though its original layer is unlocked. When the edit has been completed delete the empty locked layer you just created to unlock all its bound objects and remove all their bindings
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| Example 2: |
| The problem: |
A group of objects (e.g trees) are blocking access to another object. |
| The solution: |
The easiest solution is to use the Layers Palette to create a new empty layer and hide it. Set the Binding Layer of the blocking objects to the new hidden layer. The blocking objects will no longer be visible and cannot be selected even though their original layer is still visible. When the edit has been completed delete the empty hidden layer you just created to make all its bound objects visible and remove all their bindings
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| Steps: To change the assigned binding layer of an object or group of objects:- |
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Left click on the Binding drop down box. If the object is already bound to a layer (for a single selected object only) the binding layer will be shown with a in front of its name |
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Select the Binding layer name from the drop down list |
| The layer reassignment will start the instant the layer is selected |
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If you see a Debugging Window on the screen as the task is processed, it will inform you when the task has been completed. You can then close the window |
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| As an example, the image below shows what you will see for a single object that has had:- |
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its assigned layer changed (in the example from "route-layer" to "Station Buildings") |
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its binding layer set (in the example to "Multi Industries") |
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the newly assigned layer is not locked so you have the option to lock it |
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the newly assigned layer is not the Active Layer so you have the option to make it the Active Layer |
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More information on creating, editing and using Layers can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-
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Trainz Wiki
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More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz
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This page was created by Trainz user pware in January 2023 and was last updated as shown below.
