Revision as of 16:56, 19 September 2023

The information in this Wiki Page applies to TANE, TRS19, Trainz Plus and TRS22. This guide covers the use of procedural track in Trainz Surveyor, not how to create procedural track assets - see Trainz Wiki Links at the bottom of this page.

What is Procedural Track?

Procedural track works just like the standard (or "non-procedural") track that was the only type available before T:ANE. However, it provides additional cosmetic features (animated blades plus frogs and check rails) to junctions. These features are built into the track asset and do not have to be manually added when laying track.

Procedural Track

Non Procedural Track

Notes:

The switch blade animation will show in both Driver and Surveyor but in TRS19 and later versions the Pause option in Surveyor must be checked OFF (no tick).

Warning:
	If you turn pause OFF after using the UDS (available in TRS19 Platinum Edition and later Trainz versions) to switch from Driver to Surveyor then any consists that were moving in Driver will immediately start moving in Surveyor which can result in collisions and derailments

Procedural Track

Non Procedural Track

Identifying Procedural Track

There is no specific content category, such as "Track, procedural", that can be used to distinguish between procedural and non-procedural track assets. Like many assets it relies on the name given to the asset by the content creator. Most creators seem to have included the characters PRO in the track name - for example "Protrack", "Procedural" or just "Pro". This can be used to narrow down the search in CM. A typical CM custom filter that would have a good chance of identifying most procedural track assets is shown below.

All procedural track assets have a minimum build version of 4.2 - but this does not mean that any track with this build number (or above) will be procedural.

Laying Procedural Track

The "fall-back" position for procedural track is to act and look like ordinary (non-procedural) track

Procedural tracks are laid down in Surveyor just like any other track. Track junctions are formed in the same way as they are when using non-procedural tracks. The difference is that the additional features (animated switch blades, frogs and check rails) are automatically added when a track junction is correctly formed using procedural tracks. Faulty (incorrectly formed) procedural track junctions will work perfectly well as non-procedural junctions - they can be switched left and right, and trains will pass over them correctly. But the special features that they have will not appear.

	A red track spline circle in Surveyor Classic indicates that the procedural track junction is faulty
	A red track spline "dot" in Surveyor 2.0 indicates that the procedural track junction is faulty. Surveyor 2.0 is available in Trainz Plus and TRS22 Platinum only

Faulty procedural track junctions are indicted in Surveyor Classic (shown on the left) by:-

	solid red track spline circles, or
	flashing red/white or red/yellow track spline circles

A normal procedural track junction in Surveyor 2.0 is shown as a black track spline point

A faulty procedural track junction in Surveyor 2.0 is shown as a red track spline point. A better indicator is the absence of the moveable switch blade and the check rails/frogs.

Faulty procedural track junctions are indicted in Surveyor 2.0 (shown left and in Trainz Plus and TRS22 Platinum only) by:-
	a red spline endpoint dot

Procedural Track Errors

Some of the most common causes of red track spline circles are listed below. Remember, the presence of procedural track errors will not stop track junctions from working correctly as normal (non procedural) track junctions.

Incompatible Tracks

Fault:

One of the tracks used to form the junction is not a procedural track

Solution:

	ignore, or
	if possible replace the non procedural track with a procedural track

Curve Too Tight

Fault:

One of the diverging tracks has a curve radius that is too tight

Solution:

Increase the curve radius

Track Splines Not Level

Fault:

The spline circles that define the junction are not at the same height

Solution:

adjust the spline heights to create a level junction

One trick is to move the approach and depart spline circles closer to the junction spline circle (if possible) to reduce the length of track that has to be made level

Junctions Too Close

Fault:

A second junction has been added that is too close to the first and there is not enough room for the frogs/check rails to be added to the first junction

Solution:

	ignore, or
	adjust the placement of the second junction to allow the frogs/check rails to be added to the first junction

This requirement can make it difficult or even impossible to use procedural junctions in yards that have very dense track junction layouts. Ignoring the "problem" may be the only option here.

Trainz Wiki

More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz

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+<td>All procedural track assets have a '''minimum build version''' of '''4.2''' - but this <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;">does not</span> mean that any track with this build number (or above) will be procedural.</td>
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How to Use Procedural Track

Revision as of 16:56, 19 September 2023

Contents

What is Procedural Track?

Identifying Procedural Track

Laying Procedural Track

Procedural Track Errors

Trainz Wiki

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