Revision as of 09:01, 25 January 2023

The information in this Wiki Page applies to Surveyor 2.0 (S20) as found in Trainz Plus.

1 Surveyor 2.0 vs Surveyor Classic
2 The Tools Palette
3 The Brush Tool
4 The Placement Tool
5 The Eyedropper Tool
- 5.1 Quick Steps
- 5.2 Narrowing the Search
6 The Free Move Tool
7 The Fine Adjustment Tool
8 The Marquee Tool
9 The Info Palette
- 9.1 Layer Info and Controls
10 Trainz Wiki

In Summary:

Surveyor 2.0 (or S20) is the new and much more powerful 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 to subscribers

S20 combines the separate Tool Flyouts from Classic into a single set of common tools

data, additional tools and controls are provided by a series of moveable and dockable on-screen Palettes

Assets can be manipulated, individually and in groups regardless of their types, with more freedom than was previously possible

Track assets, such as signals, now have far more options for positioning on the track, including vertically, than is possible in Classic

A new Marquee Tool allows:-

	groups of different assets in the route to be selected, copied, deleted and moved
	multiple baseboards to be added, deleted and have their grid resolution changed in a single operation, not just one-at-a-time as in Classic
	Scrapbooks (assets that form a "scene" in a route) to be created and shared with other routes and through the DLS

Surveyor 2.0 vs Surveyor Classic

The following screen images help illustrate the change in philosophy that has occurred with the release of the Surveyor 2.0 user interface.

Surveyor Classic
2002 - 2022

Surveyor 2.0
2022 -

Surveyor Classic
	all the tools are in separate fixed Tabbed Flyouts with a different Flyout and set of tools for each type of asset (objects, track, terrain, textures, trains, etc)
	the workflow forces you to select the correct tool for the type of assets and then apply it to just a single asset at a time

Surveyor 2.0
	there is just one set of tools that can be applied to all types of assets
	the workflow allows you to select multiple assets (that can be of different types) and then apply a selected tool
	the palettes (8 of them) can be undocked, moved around the screen and hidden when not required

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 now. Some of the tools are new while others have been given 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.

Notes: Palettes

If the Tools Palette is not shown on the screen, then:-

Steps:

open the Window Menu from the menu icons at the top of the screen

visible palettes have ticks next to their names

Left click on the item Tools Palette

this will add a

and make the Tools Palette visible

make sure that the Tool Options Palette is also visible

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.

The Brush Tool

Keyboard Shortcut: W

The Brush Tool "paints" the ground height, ground textures, effect layers and scrapbook scenes in a route

The Brush Tool has two drop down menu lists.

The first drop down menu will set the "Brush Target" which is the type of brush.
The Targets are:-

	Ground Height
	Ground Texture
	Scrapbook Data
	*<List of Effect Layers>*
	Edit Effect Layers

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.

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.

When the Ground Height Target is selected, the second drop down box will give a choice of several Ground Height actions.

The actions are:-

	Height Up
	Height Down
	Set Height
	Grade

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
Up/Down brush options

Set Height
Height brush options

Grade

Radius

the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below

Range:

5m and above

Height

the brush height (metres)

Range:

-3000m to 3000m

Sensitivity

the rate at which the height changes

Range:

1% (very slowly) to 100% (very quickly)

Grade

slope gradient - see Notes: below

Range:	0% = flat ("Plateau" in Classic) to
	±100% = steep (but not vertical)

Angle

grade direction (compass degrees)

Range:

0° (North) to ±359°
a negative value reverses the grade

Steps: To set the Ground Height:-
	select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key)
	select the brush Target Ground Height
	select the brush Action (Height Up, Height Down, etc)
	set any brush controls (radius, height, sensitivity, etc) in the Tool Options Palette
	Left Click and Drag on the terrain to change the terrain height

Notes:

	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.
	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.

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.

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.

Radius

the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below

Range:

5m and above

Sensitivity

texture transparency

Range:	1% = almost transparent to
	100% = solid (opaque)

Rotation

initial rotation angle - see Notes: below

Range:

0° to ±360° (larger angles can be entered)

Scale

the texture pattern scaling factor

Range:

0.01% = smallest to 100% = full size

Steps: To paint a Ground Texture:-
	select your Ground Texture in the Assets Palette - you can use the Assets Palette filter options to narrow down the selection
	select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key)
	select the Ground Texture target from the Brush drop down menu
	set any brush controls (radius, sensitivity, rotation, scale) in the Tool Options Palette
	Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the texture

Notes:

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.

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.

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).

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).

The easiest option is to disable the current default ground texture Steps:
	open the Interface Menu
	select the Ground option
	select the Grid option. This will use the current grid texture.

A more complex solution is to edit an existing Region asset 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.

Information on creating and editing Region assets can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-

How to Create a Region Asset

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.

The scrapbook contents can be Pasted into a route from the Context Menu of a scenery asset.

The Scrapbook Brush

When the Scrapbook Data Target is selected, the second drop down box will give a choice of two actions.

The actions are:-

	Scrapbook Brush
	Scrapbook Clone

Notes:

Scrapbook Brush will resize the scrapbook contents to fit the selected brush shape and size.

	If the brush is small then the scrapbook contents will be compressed closer together
	If the brush is large then the contents will be spaced further apart
	Every Left Click will paste another complete scrapbook copy
	The Scale control in the Tool Options Palette is ignored.

Scrapbook Clone will paste the scrapbook at its original size - subject to the Scale setting.

	If the brush is the same size as the original scrapbook then a single exact copy will be pasted
	If the brush is smaller than the original scrapbook 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 reaches the size of the original. Further painting will clone or tile the scrapbook contents
	If the brush is larger than the original scrapbook size then the contents will be cloned or tiled to fill the set brush size
	The Scale control is not ignored but selecting brush extremes (e.g. a very large brush and a very small scale value) can cause performance issues (e.g. long delays) while it attempts to scale and clone the scrapbook contents

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
Brush options

Scrapbook Clone
Clone options

Radius

the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below

Range:

5m and above

Rotation

initial rotation angle (degrees) - see Notes: below

Range:

0° to ±360° (larger angles can be entered)

Scale

the scrapbook scaling factor

Range:

0.01% = smallest to 100% = full size

Shape

brush shape

Options:		Circle and Square will set the brush to the selected shape
	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

Steps: To "paint" with a Scrapbook asset:-
	select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key)
	select the Scrapbook Data target from the Brush first drop down menu
	select a brush action (Brush or Clone) from the Brush second drop down menu
	select a Scrapbook asset from the Scrapbook Palette
	open the Scrapbook Filter in the Scrapbook Palette and select the features to be pasted and their method of pasting (see The Scrapbook Palette below)
	set any Brush controls from theTool Options Palette
	Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the scrapbook asset

Notes:

	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.
	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.

The Scrapbook Palette
Scrapbook palette tools

Scrapbook Pasting Options
What Features to Paste
	Ground Height	terrain height(s) used in the scrapbook
	Texture	textures used in the scrapbook
	Meshes	scenery objects (e.g. trees, buildings) used in the scrapbook
	Splines	spline objects used in the scrapbook
	Effect Layers	effect layers (TurfFX, Clutter) used in the scrapbook
How to Paste Each Feature
	None	do not paste this feature
	Add	add this feature to those already present
	Overwrite	use this feature to replace those already present
For the Ground Height feature:-
	Absolute	use the ground heights in the scrapbook to replace the existing ground heights
	Relative	modify the existing ground heights according to those used in the scrapbook (to ignore the scrapbook ground heights completely select the option None)

Effect Layers

If the route has Effect Layers installed then they will be listed individually as additional Targets.

Steps: To paint with an Effect Layer

	select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key)
	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
	set any Brush Radius and Sensitivity controls from the Tool Options Palette
	Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the Effect Layer

Notes:

	Effect Layers are created using the Edit Effect Layers options found in both the Edit Menu at the top of the screen and also in the Brush Tools drop down list (see below). They can also be loaded from .CDP files and installed from the Download Station (DLS).
	Once installed or created, Effect Layers can be added to a route as presets using either of the Edit Effect Layers options.

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.

If no Effect Layers are present then you can create a new one
New effect layer

If Effect Layers are present then select one to edit
Edit effect layers

Effect Layers are created for each route. You can select and edit a previously saved Effect Layer asset rather than having to recreate the entire effect each time.

More information on creating and editing Effect Layers can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-

The Placement Tool

Keyboard Shortcut: E

The Placement Tool adds objects to a route

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 Placement Tool has no drop down menu lists.

	More Placement Options
After an object has been placed in a route its position and height can be changed by:-
	using the Free Move Tool
	using the Fine Adjustment Tool
	editing its X Y Z values in The Info Palette
	selecting the Apply Height option in its Context Menu

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 object you want to add.

In the Asset Palette either:-

Left click on an object selection icon

Filter Icons

	all ground textures
	all non-spline scenery objects
	all spline scenery objects
	all track spline objects
	all track objects (signals, etc)
	all rolling stock
	all Effect Layer presets

OR

Left click the Content Drop-down Box

Filter List
Then select Scenery Objects

Shortcut If you already have the same object placed in your route then:-
	move the pointer over the object to be selected and hold down the Alt key. The object name will appear in a ToolTip attached to the pointer
	while holding down the Alt key Left click on the object to identify it in the Assets Palette. Release the key
	Left click on the object name in the Assets Palette filter list to select it for the Placement Tool
Jump to Step below.

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.

Left click on the required item in the list (e.g. "wooden barn").

When selected the object will be highlighted on a blue background and its name will appear in the Assets Palette title bar.

If you are not sure about an object then Dbl-Left click on the name to bring up its image and description.

Left clicking an object in the Assets Palette filter list will automatically activate the Placement Tool so the next Left click in the route will place that object in the route.

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

Notes:

	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
	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

Placing a Scenery or Track Spline

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

Select from the Assets Palette object icons:-
	spline scenery objects	OR		track spline objects

OR

Select from the Assets Palette object drop down list:-
Scenery Splines	OR	Track

Then continue with the steps listed below:-

"Click on the spot" as shown in Step

above to place the start or first endpoint of the spline.

Move the mouse in the direction you want to lay the spline or track. The spline will follow the mouse wherever you move it.

When you have the pointer in the final position for the first spline segment, Left click the mouse. This will anchor the second spline endpoint. The spline between the two endpoints is the first spline segment.

The spline segment will now have three Context Icons, one for each endpoint and one for the spline segment.

Different context menu options are provided depending on which icon you click on

Left click on the new endpoint and move the mouse in the direction you want to continue laying the spline or track. The spline will follow the mouse wherever you move it.

When you have the pointer in the final position for the second spline segment, Left click. This will anchor the third spline endpoint and the Context Icons will move to the new segment.


	To add a junction to a spline segment Left click on it with the Placement Tool at the point where you want to insert the junction, including at an endpoint. Then move the mouse to draw out the new spline segment.
	To edit a spline segment DO NOT click on it with the Placement Tool as this will insert a junction. Select the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool and then click on the segment to be edited.

Repeat Steps

and

above to continue laying the spline.

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 height of the last segment that was added and this will set the height of all the segments added from that point.

Steps: To set the height of a Spline:-
	Lay the first 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
	Continue laying spline segments. Each new segment will be added at the new height

Placing Track Objects

Track Objects are assets, both visible and invisible, that 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

Start the process of adding a track object by identifying and selecting the object as described in 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 object icons:-

Track objects

OR

Select from the Assets Palette object drop down list:-
Track Objects

Step

Left click on the track segment at the position where you want to place the track object.

Placement Tool Options

The Tool Options Palette Height setting for Scenery Mesh Objects, Scenery Splines, Track Splines and Track Objects when using the Placement Tool does not show a gold coloured icon which indicates an "active" control setting but the setting is active.

Scenery and Track Mesh Object Tool Options

In Surveyor 2.0 track objects can be given a height above (or below) the track.

Steps: To set the height of a Scenery or Track Mesh Object:-
	After placing the mesh object in the route, enter a value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting
	Press the Enter key
The object will be moved to the set height above (or below) the terrain. 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.

An existing height that is already in the Tool Options Palette can also be applied after the object has been placed using the Apply Height option in its Context Menu.

Spline (Scenery and Track) Tool Options

Splines have two Placement Tool settings in the Tool Options Palette.

Grade

spline gradient (see Notes: below). The finishing endpoint of each spline segment will be set higher (for a positive grade) or lower (for a negative grade) than the starting endpoint

Range:

0% (flat) to ±100% (steep but not vertical)

Condition

this applies to Track Spline objects and sets the track condition (or "ride comfort") for each segment

Range:

1% (terrible track condition) to 100% (perfect track condition)

The Track Condition can also be set for each track segment in its Context Menu Edit Properties option

The Height setting in the Tool Options Palette can also be applied to a selected spline endpoint or segment. If the endpoint or segment is at the end of the spline then the following new endpoints and segments will be added at the new height.

The height change can be made by:-
	directly entering a value in the Tool Options Height setting, OR
	selecting the Apply Height option from the objects Context Menu

	Notes:
	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.

Deleting Placed Objects

Steps: To delete objects either:-

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 ..

Either:-

	Press the Delete key, OR
	Open the Context Menu of the object (or object group) and select the Delete option

OR

Use the Marquee Tool to select the object or a group of objects, then either:-

	Press the Delete key OR
	Open the Marquee Context Menu and select the Delete option

The Eyedropper Tool

Keyboard Shortcut: R

The Eyedropper Tool identifies objects in a route

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

When selected, the Eyedropper Tool will change the mouse pointer to an "eyedropper" icon.

	move the eyedropper pointer over any object to reveal its name in a ToolTip below the pointer
	hold the eyedropper over any object for a few seconds to reveal more information
	Left click on an object to select it in the Assets Palette

Quick Steps

With the Eyedropper Tool selected, move the mouse 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

Asset filter set by the Eyedropper in S20

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 asset selections when using the Placement 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.

		No filter has been applied. All the objects are visible on the Surveyor screen. ALL objects can be selected.
		The Visibility Filter option has been applied and the filtered list has been set to display only Scenery Splines. All objects except Scenery Splines, Ground Textures and Effect Layers are now hidden. Now only Scenery Splines can be selected.
		An additional filter has been applied. The word "fence" has been added to the search text box. All Scenery Splines that do not have the text "fence" in their names have now been hidden. Now only the remaining visible Scenery Splines can be selected.

The Free Move Tool

Keyboard Shortcut: S

The Free Move Tool moves objects around a route

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

For 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 .

Moving a Scenery Mesh Object

Steps: To move a Scenery Mesh Object:-
	Select the Free Move Tool (or press the S key)
	Left Click and Drag the object in any horizontal direction

When moving a scenery object, its height will be fixed to the terrain height.

Set the Height for a Scenery 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.

FreeMoveMeshObjectSetAboveGround S20.png

Steps:To set the height of a Scenery Mesh Object:-
	With the scenery object selected, enter a height value into the Tool Options Height text box
	Hit the Enter key
The scenery object will now be fixed at the entered height above (or below) the terrain as it is moved around.

Mesh Object Context Menu

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
ContextMenuMeshObject S20.png

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
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
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	identifies the selected object in the Asset Palette like the Eyedropper Tool
Edit Properties	opens the Properties window of the selected object

For Track Objects

Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, 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.

Throw Lever track object in its original position

Steps: To move a track object horizontally:-
	select the track object with the Free Move Tool
	Left Click and Drag the object anywhere in the horizontal plane

To move a track object vertically:-
	select the track object with the Free Move Tool
	enter a value in the Tool Options Height control and press the Enter key

	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

After being moved left with the Free Move Tool and up with the Height setting in the Tool Options Palette

The track object can still be moved along the track with the Free Move Tool.

Track Object Context Menu

To open a selected track objects Context menu either:-

	Left click the Context Icon OR
	Press the T key

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.

For 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

Moving Spline Endpoints

Steps: To move an individual spline endpoint:-
	Select the Free Move Tool or press the S key
	Left Click and Drag the selected spline endpoint in any horizontal direction
Active (selected) endpoints are shown as green. Inactive spline endpoints are shown as black

The spline endpoint will be fixed at its original height.

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.

Steps: To move an individual segment or multiple segments:-

Select the Free Move Tool or press the S key

Left click on the spline segment to be moved - click anywhere between the two spline endpoints on the segment

Notes:

	the selected segment will be highlighted in green/yellow.
	The segment will have a temporary endpoint inserted at the location you clicked.

Temporary spline endpoints can be made permanent by selecting the Insert Spline Point Here option from the segment Context Menu

FreeMoveSplineSegmentsAllSelected S20.png

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, Dbl-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

FreeMoveSplineSegmentSelectedMoved S20.png

FreeMoveSplineSegmentsAllSelectedMoved S20.png

Spline Object Context Menu

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 Dbl-Click then the segment that was clicked will have the icons.

Left click on an icon to open its Context Menu.

Endpoint Context Menu
ContextMenuSplineObject S20.png

Segment Context Menu
ContextMenuSplineSegment S20.png

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
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
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 segment, segments or 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 segment, segments or endpoint 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	identifies the selected spline in the Asset Palette like the Eyedropper Tool
Edit Properties	opens the Properties window of the selected spline

Selecting and Moving Multiple Objects

Multiple objects can be selected and moved with the Free Move Tool.

The objects do not have to be the same type. They can be a mixture of splines and mesh objects.

Steps: To select and move multiple objects:-
	Select the Free Move Tool or press the S key
	Hold the Shift key down
	Left click on each object that is to be included in the selection group
The last object selected will have the Context Icon attached to it
	Left Click and Drag on any highlighted object in the group

You can apply the Height setting in the Tool Options to the entire group of selected objects.

The Fine Adjustment Tool

Keyboard Shortcut: D

The Fine Adjustment Tool makes 3D adjustments (position and rotations) to objects in a route

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 the selected object.

The coloured lines, called Anchors , allow manual positional and rotational controls:-

The Horizontal and Vertical Anchors

Red Green Blue

move the object (forward and back) in the direction of the Anchor

The Rotational Anchors

Red Green Blue

rotate the object (clockwise and anti-clockwise) along the Anchor

Steps: To use the Fine Adjustment Tool controls:-
	move the mouse pointer onto an Anchor - its colour will change to white
	hold down the Left button
	drag the pointer along the chosen line in the direction required (e.g. Up or Down on the blue vertical Anchor)

Not all objects will have Red and/or Green rotational Anchors.

For 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 .

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

Blue vertical Anchor movement
FineAdjustZMove S20.png

Green Anchor rotation
FineAdjustYawMove S20.png

Red Anchor rotation
FineAdjustPitchMove S20.png

Blue Anchor rotation
FineAdjustRotateXYMove S20.png

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.

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
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
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	identifies the selected object in the Asset Palette like the Eyedropper Tool
Edit Properties	opens the Properties window of the selected object

For Track Objects

Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, 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.

Steps: To move a track object with the Fine Adjustment Tool

For movements along the track - Left Click and Drag on the Green horizontal Anchor line (movement is restricted to the track and Anchor line 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 black dot (unrestricted horizontal movement), OR
	anywhere on the object except on an Anchor line (unrestricted horizontal movement)

For movements vertical to the track - Left Click and Drag on the Blue vertical Anchor line (movement is restricted to the Anchor line only)

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

Track Object Context Menu

To open a selected track objects Context menu either:-

	Left click the Context Icon OR
	Press the T key

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.

For 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

Moving Spline Endpoints

The 3D Anchor Frame shown is for a spline endpoint.

Steps: To move an individual spline endpoint:-

Select the Fine Adjustment Tool.

Select, Left click on, the spline endpoint to be moved.

Note: only the horizontal Red and Green and the vertical Blue lines can be selected.

Left Click and Drag either:-

	an Anchor to move the endpoint in that specific direction, OR
	the endpoint itself to move it in any direction in the horizontal plane

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
	ALL the segments. Dbl-Left click on a segment. If the spline contains a junction then this will only select all the segments upto the junction point

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.

Segment moved to the right along the Red line	Segment moved up along the Blue line
Segment rotated anti-clockwise around the Blue Anchor	Segment rotated clockwise around the Red Anchor

	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

Selecting and Moving Multiple Objects

Multiple objects can be selected and moved with the Fine Adjustment Tool.

The objects do not have to be the same type. They can be a mixture of splines and mesh objects.

Steps: To select multiple objects:-
	Select the Fine Adjustment Tool or press the D key
	Hold the Shift key down
	Left click on each object that is to be included in the selection group

Notes:

The last object selected will have the 3D Anchor Frame and Context Icon attached to it. If that object limits the allowed Anchor rotations then that limitation will be applied to all the objects in the selection.

In the images shown above, the car and the pole have no movement restrictions while the tree does not allow rotations through the Red and Green rotational Anchors. The car was the last selected object so it has the Context Icon and the 3D Anchor Frame for the whole group.

	If one of the objects in the group has movement restrictions then do not select it as the last object unless its restrictions will not be a problem.
	To see if any objects have movement restrictions, Left click on each one in turn to check its 3D Anchor Frame. If an Anchor is not showing in the frame then there is a movement restriction.

Using the Blue rotation Anchor, all the objects are rotated in the horizontal plane around the 3D Anchor Frame which is attached to the car, the last object that was selected. The 3D Anchor Frame on the car is the centre of all rotations.

	You can Left Click and Drag on any point in the selection that is not an Anchor line and move the entire group in any horizontal direction
	You can apply the Height setting in the Tool Options to the entire group of selected objects.

Starting from their original positions and using the Green rotation Anchor, the car and pole objects are rotated through a horizontal plane which runs through the "3D Anchor Frame". Depending on its position in relation to the 3D Anchor Frame the tree may move vertically (but not rotate) or not move at all.

Starting from their original positions and using the Red rotation Anchor , the car and pole objects are rotated through a horizontal plane which runs through the "3D Anchor Frame". This time the tree does move (again depending on its position) but vertically upwards only. It does not rotate like the car and the pole.

The Marquee Tool

Keyboard Shortcut: F

The Marquee Tool selects the content in areas of a route

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.

MarqueeSelectArea S20.png

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 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

If the area you have drawn is not the right shape or size then Left Click and Drag the Resize Anchor Points on the ends of the Green and Red horizontal Anchor lines to resize and reshape the Marquee Selection Area

Using 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 assets (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.

MarqueeSelectSplines S20.png

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.

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.

Vertical Anchor Shift

	The Blue vertictal Anchor has been used to lift the Marquee Selection Area upwards.

Notes:

The Marquee Anchors will move:-
	the selected scenery assets. If the assets are in locked layers then they will be copied before being moved and the original assets 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

Marquee Context Menu

Left click on the Marquee Context Icon or press the T key to open the Context Menu for the Marquee.

Marquee Context Menu
MarqueeContextMenu S20.png

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.

Set Marquee to Brush Height

the Ground Height in the Marquee area will be set using the Height setting in the Brush Tool Options.

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.

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 basebaords 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 asset has been highlighted, including ground textures and effect layers, this will identify the asset in the Assets Palette.

Scrapbook Operations

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:-

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 boundary lines are removed from the route cancelling the selection process. Everything else is left as it was.

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).

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

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

The new scrapbook can be deleted at any time by clicking the Delete icon

There are two changes that can be made to the new scrapbook:-

	Give it a name - click inside the Name Text Box and type a new name
	Make it permanent - click the Pin icon. It 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 №

Once a scrapbook has been Pinned it becomes an asset and will appear in Content Manager

ScrapbookEntryCM S20.png

The scrapbook can be uploaded to the DLS and saved as a CDP file.

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 right, 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 and 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

The Info Palette

If the Info Palette is not visible on the screen then refer to

Notes: 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.

Its uses are:-
	to display precise data on the "focus" - the position of the cursor
	to display precise data on the position and attitude of objects
	to allow precise control over the position and attitude of objects (i.e. it can be used instead of the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool)
	to change the "home" layer and binding layer of a selected object
	to lock and unlock layers

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.

Notes:

All the positional data and controls in the Info Palette are defined in the following ways:-

X	is ALWAYS the North-South compass direction regardless of the direction that an asset is facing
Y	is ALWAYS the East-West compass direction regardless of the direction that an asset is facing
Z	is ALWAYS the Vertical direction (perpendicular to the compass directions) regardless of how an asset has been rolled or tilted

	distances are measured in metres from the North-West corner of the first baseboard.
	(+) positive distances are in the South and East directions
	(-) negative distances are in the North and West directions. New boards added to the North of the first baseboard will have negative X coordinates and new boards added to the West of the first baseboard will have negative Y coordinates.

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 beyond the edge of a 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.

Next to the Z co-ordinate is a small down arrow. 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.

Asset Name Menu

You must have an object selected for its name to be shown and the menu options to be available.

If more than one object has been selected then the name of the last selected object will be shown together with a count of additional selected objects (the named object (+2) indicating 2 additional objects shown in the image on the left). The position data shown will be for the last selected object.

Next to the assets name co-ordinate is a small down arrow. Left click on the arrow 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 asset
List Assets in New Window	opens up Content Manager and lists all the selected assets
Add to Picklist	adds selected assets to a Picklist
Remove from Picklist	removes selected assets from a Picklist (assets must already be in a Picklist)
Select in Assets Palette	highlights the selected asset in the Assets Palette

Position Info and Controls

You must have an object selected for its position data to be shown and edited. Open up the object position data by Left clicking on its Pos: arrowhead icon.

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.

Notes:
If you enter an X or Y value that is beyond the edge of a 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.

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.

Next to the Z co-ordinate is a small down arrow. 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 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 selected for its rotation data to be shown and edited. Open up the object rotation data by Left clicking on its Rot: arrowhead icon.

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 smaller increments.

Notes:

The rotation data and controls are defined in the following ways:-

R	ALWAYS rotates around the North-South compass direction regardless of the direction that an asset is facing
P	ALWAYS rotates around the East-West compass direction regardless of the direction that an asset is facing
Y	ALWAYS rotates around the Vertical direction (perpendicular to the compass directions) regardless of how an asset has been rolled or tilted

	all angles are measured in degrees
	(+) positive angles are clockwise when facing the primary direction ( North or East ) and clockwise around the Vertical axis
	(-) negative angles are anticlockwise when facing the primary direction ( North or East ) and anticlockwise around the Vertical axis
	angles greater than ±360° can be entered but will give the same result as the corresponding angle less than 360°. For example: 450° is exactly the same angle as 90° (450-360=90)
	clockwise and anticlockwise angles are complementary. For example: entering -270° (anticlockwise) will give the same angle as entering 90° (clockwise)

Layer Info and Controls

You must have an object selected for its layer data to be shown and edited. Open up the object layer data by Left clicking on its Layer: arrowhead icon.

Notes:

	operations such as creating, deleting, merging, renaming, moving and hiding layers are performed using the Assets Palette
	layers can be Locked and Unlocked using the Info Palette or the Assets Palette but the Assets Palette is the better option for this
	the Info Palette is used to change the assignment of individual assets to layers and to set their optional Binding Layer

This will show the:-

	current layer assigned to the selected object
	its assigned Binding Layer (if any)
	the Locked/Unlocked status of the assigned layer
	Layer is currently Unlocked. Click this button to Lock the layer
	Layer is currently Locked. Click this button to Unlock the layer
	Using this button will also change the Locked/Unlocked padlock icon shown next the to layer name in the Assets Palette

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.

Notes:

Before changing any objects to another layer, make sure that the source layer (or source layers for multiple objects) and the destination layer are unlocked.

	unlocked layers are shown in the Assets Palette with an open padlock icon
	locked layers are shown in the Assets Palette with a closed padlock icon. Left click the icon to unlock the layer

This operation will TOTALLY FAIL if the destination layer is locked and it will FAIL for any object in a source layer that is locked

Steps: To change the assigned layer of an object or group of objects:-
	Left click on the Layer drop down box. The layer containing the object (for a single selected object only) will be shown with a in front of its name
	Select the destination layer name from the drop down list
The layer reassignment will start the instant the destination layer is selected
	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

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 layer list in the Assets Palette.

If the Select Layer button is greyed out
	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
	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

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.

So if the original layer or the binding layer is:-
	LOCKED then the object will be LOCKED
	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:	Set the Binding Layer of the object to a locked layer (or use the Assets Palette to create a new empty layer and lock it). The object will then be locked even though its original layer is unlocked so it cannot be selected or moved. When the edit has been completed, reset the object Binding Layer to <none> or delete the empty locked layer you just created
Example 2:
The problem:	A group of objects (e.g trees) are blocking access to another object.
The solution:	Set the Binding Layer of the blocking objects to a hidden layer (or use the Assets Palette to create a new empty layer and hide it). The blocking objects will no longer be visible even though their original layer is visible. When the edit has been completed, reset their Binding Layer to <none> or delete the empty hidden layer you just created

Steps: To change the assigned binding layer of an object or group of objects:-
	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
	Select the Binding layer name from the drop down list
The layer reassignment will start the instant the layer is selected
	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

As an example, the image below shows what you will see for a single object that has had:-

	its assigned layer changed (in the example from "route-layer" to "Station Buildings")
	its binding layer set (in the example to "Multi Industries")
	the newly assigned layer is not locked so you have the option to lock it
	the newly assigned layer is not the Active Layer so you have the option to make it the Active Layer

More information on creating, editing and using Layers can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-

How to Use Layers

Trainz Wiki

More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz

This page was created by Trainz user pware in January 2023 and was last updated as shown below.

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How to Use S20 Tools

Revision as of 09:01, 25 January 2023

Contents

Surveyor 2.0 vs Surveyor Classic

The Tools Palette

The Brush Tool

Ground Height

Ground Texture

Scrapbook Data

Effect Layers

Edit Effect Layers...

The Placement Tool

Placing a Scenery Mesh Object

Placing a Scenery or Track Spline

Placing Track Objects

Placement Tool Options

Deleting Placed Objects

The Eyedropper Tool

Quick Steps

Narrowing the Search

The Free Move Tool

For Scenery Mesh Objects

For Track Objects

For Spline Objects (Including Track)

Selecting and Moving Multiple Objects

The Fine Adjustment Tool

For Scenery Mesh Objects

For Track Objects

For Spline Objects (Including Track)

Selecting and Moving Multiple Objects

The Marquee Tool

Marquee Anchor Controls

Marquee Context Menu

Scrapbook Operations

Managing Baseboards

The Info Palette

Layer Info and Controls

Trainz Wiki

Views

Personal tools

Navigation

Search

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