How to Use S20 Tools

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

This document is  still being written 

Contents


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The Tools Palette

Tools and keymap for S20

NotePad.PNG Notes: Palettes

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

Windows Menu
1. open the Window Menu from the menu icons at the top of the screen
 
  • visible palettes with have ticks next to their names
2. Left click on the item Tools Palette
 
  • this will add a tick and make the Tools Palette visible
3. make sure that the Tool Options Palette is also visible


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The Brush Tool

S20 BrushToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  W  The Brush Tool "Paints" the Terrain, Ground Textures, Effect Layers and Scrapbook Scenes in a Route


When selected, the Brush Tool has two drop down menu lists.

Brush Tools
The first drop down menu will set the "Brush Target" which is the type of brush.
The Targets are:-
BulletTick.png Ground Height
BulletTick.png Ground Texture
BulletTick.png Scrapbook Data
BulletTick.png <List of Effect Layers>
BulletTick.png Edit Effect Layers
BrushToolsGroundOptions S20.png
NotePad.PNG 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 PageLink.PNG 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 tools.

The choices are:-
BulletTick.png Height Up
BulletTick.png Height Down
BulletTick.png Set Height
BulletTick.png Grade
BrushToolsHeightOptions S20.png
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.
 Height Up/Height Down 
Up/Down brush options
 Set Height 
Height brush options
 Grade 
Grade brush options

 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
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Unlike Surveyor Classic, there appears to be no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, if you are using the brush to set an entire baseboard, or many baseboards, to a specific height then the Marquee Tool may be a better choice.
DotPoint.JPG 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 PageLink.PNG 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 tool choices.

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.

Texture brush options
 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
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Unlike Surveyor Classic, there appears to be no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. 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.
DotPoint.JPG 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.
Stop.PNG 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).


Scrapbook Data

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


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 PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


 The Scrapbook Brush 

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

The choices are:-
BulletTick.png Scrapbook Brush
BulletTick.png Scrapbook Clone
BrushToolsScrapbookOptions S20.png


 Scrapbook Brush  will resize the scrapbook contents to fit the selected brush shape and size.
DotPoint.JPG If the brush is small then the scrapbook contents will be compressed closer together
DotPoint.JPG If the brush is large then the contents will be spaced further apart
DotPoint.JPG Every Left Click will paste another complete scrapbook copy
DotPoint.JPG 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.
DotPoint.JPG If the brush is the same size as the original scrapbook then a single exact copy will be pasted
DotPoint.JPG 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
DotPoint.JPG If the brush is larger than the original scrapbook size then the contents will be cloned or tiled to fill the set brush size
DotPoint.JPG The Scale control is not ignored but selecting extremes (e.g. a very large brush and a very small scale value) can cause problems (e.g. system "lockup" 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:  BrushToolsScrapShapes S20.png 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
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Unlike Surveyor Classic, there appears to be no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible.
DotPoint.JPG 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 preset Effect Layers installed then they will be listed individually as additional Targets.

BrushToolsPresets S20.png To paint with an Effect Layer' simply select one from the list and start painting. The Brush Tool Options settings  Radius  and  Sensitivity  will control how the Effect Layer is applied.


NotePad.PNG 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, they 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.

Open effect layers
  • 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 alyers


LinkWiki.PNG

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


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The Placement Tool

S20 PlacementToolIcon.png 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 PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


When selected, the Placement Tool has no drop down menu lists.

Placement Tools
PencilTips.PNG More Placement Options
After an object has been placed in a route its position and height can be changed by:-
DotPoint.JPG using the PageLink.PNG Free Move Tool
DotPoint.JPG using the PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment Tool
DotPoint.JPG editing its  X   Y   Z  values in PageLink.PNG The Info Palette
DotPoint.JPG 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.

DotPoint1.JPG In the Asset Palette either:-

Left click on an object selection icon

Filter Icons

GroundTextureFilter S20.png all ground textures
SceneryMeshFilter S20.png all non-spline scenery objects
ScenerySplineFilter S20.png all spline scenery objects
TrackSplineFilter S20.png all track spline objects
TrackMeshFilter S20.png all track objects (signals, etc)
TrainFilter S20.png all rolling stock
PresetFilter S20.png all Effect Layer presets
OR
Left click the Content Drop-down Box

Filter List
Then select Scenery Objects
Scenery Objects

PencilTips.PNG  Shortcut 

If you already have the same object placed in your route then:-

  1. select the Eyedropper Tool in the Tools Palette (or press the  R  key)
  2. Left click on the existing ojbect in the route
  3. then Left click on the objects name in the Filter List

This will instantly select that particular object in the Filter List and switch control to the Placement Tool.

Jump to Step DotPoint5.JPG below.


DotPoint2.JPG 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).


Text search
DotPoint3.JPG This will list all the Scenery Objects containing the text "barn" in their name.
Filtered list DotPoint4.JPG Select (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.

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


DotPoint5.JPG The final step is to place the selected object into the route.
  1. If the Placement Tool is not selected then Left click it or press the  E  key
  2. Click on the spot where you want to place the object
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG 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
DotPoint.JPG 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 spline as described in steps DotPoint1.JPG to DotPoint5.JPG above. Then continue by following the steps listed below.

PlacementTrack1 S20.png DotPoint6.JPG "Click on the spot" as shown in Step DotPoint5.JPG above to place the start or first endpoint of the spline.
DotPoint7.JPG Move the mouse in the direction you want to lay the spline or track. The spline will follow the mouse wherever you move it.
PlacementTrack2 S20.png DotPoint8.JPG 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.
PlacementTrack3 S20.png DotPoint9.JPG 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.
PlacementTrack4 S20.png DotPoint10.JPG When you have the pointer in the final position for the second spline segment, Left click the mouse. This will anchor the third spline endpoint and produce new Context Icons for the second segment.
DotPoint11.JPG Repeat Steps DotPoint9.JPG and DotPoint10.JPG 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.

DotPoint1.JPG Lay the first spline segment which will be added at the terrain ground height
DotPoint2.JPG 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
DotPoint3.JPG Continue laying spline segments. Each new segment will be added at the new height


Placement Tool Options

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

 Mesh Object Tool Options 

PlacementMeshHeight0 S20.png PlacementMeshHeight3 S20.png
DotPoint1.JPG After placing the mesh object in the route, enter a value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting
DotPoint2.JPG 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.


PencilTips.PNG 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 Tool Options 

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

PlacementSplineTools S20.png
 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)
PencilTips.PNG The Track Condition can also be set for each track segment in its Context Menu  Edit Properties  option


PencilTips.PNG 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:-
Ablue.png directly entering a value in the Tool Options  Height  setting, OR
Bblue.png selecting the  Apply Height  option from the objects Context Menu


NotePad.PNG 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


To delete objects either:-

DotPoint1.JPG Select the object or a group of objects using either the:-
Ablue.png Free Move Tool (or press  S ) OR
Bblue.png Fine Adjustment Tool (or press  D )
  Multiple objects can be selected by holding down the  Shift  key when using these tools
Then ..
DotPoint2.JPG Either:-
Ablue.png Press the  Delete  key, OR
Bblue.png Open the Context Menu of the object (or object group) and select the  Delete  option
OR
DotPoint1.JPG Use the Marquee Tool to select the object or a group of objects, then either:-
Ablue.png Press the  Delete  key OR
Bblue.png Open the Marquee Context Menu and select the  Delete  option


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The Eyedropper Tool

S20 DropperToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  R  The Eyedropper Tool Identifies and Selects Objects in a Route


This tool uses the Assets Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


When selected, the Eyedropper Tool has no drop down menu lists.

Eyedropper Tools

Quick Steps

DotPoint1.JPG With the Eyedropper Tool selected, move the mouse pointer (which will now be an eyedropper symbol) onto any object in view.

Eyedropper

Eyedropper
NotePad.PNG Notes:

The object will be identified by its name appearing in a  ToolTip  below the mouse pointer (image shown left).

Leave the mouse pointer in place for a few seconds and additional information about the object will be shown, its <kuid> code, Author and (if available) some of its description (image shown below left).


DotPoint2.JPG Left click on the object to identify it in the Filter List.

Asset filter set by the Eyedropper in S20
NotePad.PNG Notes:

The type of object and its name will be automatically shown (highligted in grey) in the Asset Palette filters as shown in the image left.

Left click on the object name in the Asset Filter List to select it (highlight in blue) and switch control to the Placement Tool

AssetFilterNameSelected S20.png

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".

At the top of the Assets Palette is a drop down box which controls how the Eyedropper Tool works with the filters that you set.

Assets palette The drop down box will provide three options:-
BulletTick.png Filter List
BulletTick.png Filter Selection
BulletTick.png Filter Visibility
AssetsPaletteFilterOptions S20.png


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 Eyedropper Tool or on the objects displayed on the screen. It is the default setting and any selections made with the eyedropper will be shown in the Assets Palette as described in the section Quick Steps above.
 Filter Selection  this option will restrict the Eyedropper Tool to only working on those objects that are in the filtered list. Objects that are not in the filtered list cannot be selected and will not have their details (name, <kuid>, author) displayed on the screen.
 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.

AssetFilterScene1 S20.png AssestFilteredScene1.png

DotPoint1Blue.png No filter has been applied.

All the objects are visible on the Surveyor screen.

ALL objects can be selected by the Eyedropper Tool

AssetFilterScene2 S20.png AssestFilteredScene2.png

DotPoint2Blue.png 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.

Only Scenery Splines can be selected by the Eyedropper Tool.

AssetFilterScene3 S20.png AssestFilteredScene3.png

DotPoint3Blue.png 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.

Only the remaining visible Scenery Splines can be selected by the Eyedropper Tool.

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The Free Move Tool

S20 FreeMoveToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  S  The Free Move Tool Moves Objects Around a Route


This tool uses the Tool Options Palette and the Info Palette (to display data only). If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


When selected, the Free Move Tool has no drop down menu lists.

Free Move Tools
PencilTips.PNG Free Move Alternatives
In addition to the Free Move Tool the position and height of objects can be changed by:-
DotPoint.JPG using the PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment Tool
DotPoint.JPG editing its  X   Y   Z  values in PageLink.PNG The Info Palette
DotPoint.JPG 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 

FreeMoveToolCar S20.png
To move a Scenery Mesh Object:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Free Move Tool.
DotPoint2.JPG Select (Left click on) the object.
DotPoint3.JPG Use the mouse (Left button held down) to drag the object in any horizontal direction.


NotePad.PNG 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
To set the height of a Scenery Mesh Object:-
DotPoint1.JPG With the scenery object selected, enter a height value into the Tool Options  Height  text box
DotPoint2.JPG 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:-
Ablue.png Left click the Context Icon, OR ContextIcons S20.png
Bblue.png 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
 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 (Size 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.

FreeMoveTrackObjectOnTrack S20.png
Throw Lever track object in its original position
To move a track object horizontally left or right of the track:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the track object with the Free Move Tool
DotPoint2.JPG drag the object left or right


To move a track object vertically:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the track object with the Free Move Tool
DotPoint2.JPG enter a value in the Tool Options  Height  control and press the  Enter  key


PencilTips.PNG Situations where this feature is useful include:-
DotPoint.JPG placing Track Marks and Triggers above or beside the track so that they are not hidden by consists parked on top of them
DotPoint.JPG 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
FreeMoveTrackObjectOffTrack S20.png
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.

NotePad.PNG Track objects can be restored to their original height and position (on the track) by opening their Context Menu and selecting:-
Ablue.png  Reattach to Track  to cancel the both the height and position changes, OR
Bblue.png  Settle on Ground  to cancel the height change only


Track objects can also be rotated to the opposite side of the track.

FreeMoveTrackObjectReversed S20.png
To rotate a track object:-
DotPoint1.JPG Open the track objects Context Menu (click the icon or press the  T  key)
DotPoint2.JPG 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:-
Ablue.png an endpoint, OR
Bblue.png a segment, OR
Cblue.png multiple segments including the whole length of the spline


 Moving Spline Endpoints 

FreeMoveToolSpline S20.png
To move an individual spline endpoint:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Free Move Tool.
DotPoint2.JPG Select (Left click on) the spline endpoint to be moved. This will be shown as green meaning active. Inactive spline endpoints are shown as black.
DotPoint3.JPG Use the mouse (Left button held down) to drag the spline endpoint in any horizontal direction.


NotePad.PNG 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.

spline made of 3 joined segments
NotePad.PNG 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.


FreeMoveSplineSegmentSelected S20.png
To move an individual segment or multiple segments:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Free Move Tool.
DotPoint2.JPG Select (Left click on) the spline segment to be moved - click anywhere between the two spline endpoints on the segment.

The selected segment will be highlighted in green/yellow.

The segment that you clicked will have a temporary endpoint inserted at the location where you clicked.

This temporary endpoint is:-

DotPoint.JPG where the Context Icon for the segment will be attached
DotPoint.JPG the location where a new permanent endpoint can be added from the segments Context Menu
FreeMoveSplineSegmentsAllSelected S20.png
IF you are going to select and move more than one spline segment, then:-
DotPoint3.JPG 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.
PencilTips.PNG 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 temporary endpoint added
DotPoint4.JPG Use the mouse (Left button held down) to drag the selected segment(s) in any horizontal direction.
If you had selected:-
DotPoint.JPG 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
DotPoint.JPG multiple spline segments then those segments will be moved and the adjacent segments that were not selected will also have their shapes adjusted
DotPoint.JPG the entire spline then ALL the segments and endpoints will be moved
FreeMoveSplineSegmentSelectedMoved S20.png FreeMoveSplineSegmentsAllSelectedMoved S20.png


 Spline Object Context Menu 

ContextIconsSpline S20.png
Splines have two different Context Icons that lead to two slightly different Context Menus.
DotPoint.JPG one context icon and menu for each endpoint
DotPoint.JPG 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.

SplineEndPointContextIcon S20.png  Endpoint Context Menu 
ContextMenuSplineObject S20.png
SplineSegmentContextIcon 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
 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 (Size 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


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The Fine Adjustment Tool

S20 FineAdjustmentToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  D  The Fine Adjustment Tool Makes Fine Detail Adjustments (Position, Rotation, Pitch, Yaw) to Objects in a Route


When selected, the Fine Adjustment Tool has no drop down menu lists.

Fine Adjustment Tools
PencilTips.PNG Fine Adjustment Alternatives
In addition to the Fine Adjustment Tool the position and height of objects can be changed by:-
DotPoint.JPG using the PageLink.PNG Free Move Tool
DotPoint.JPG editing its  X   Y   Z   R   P   Y  values in PageLink.PNG The Info Palette
DotPoint.JPG selecting the  Apply Height  option in its Context Menu


The most obvious feature of the Fine Adjustment Tool is the 3D Frame it adds to the selected object.

FineAdjust3DFrame S20.png The coloured lines, called Anchors, in the frame 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
To use the Fine Adjustment Tool controls:-
DotPoint1.JPG move the mouse pointer onto an Anchor - its colour will change to white
DotPoint2.JPG hold down the Left button
DotPoint3.JPG drag the pointer along the chosen line in the direction required (e.g. Up or Down on the blue vertical Anchor)


NotePad.PNG Notes:

Not all objects will allow  Red  and/or  Green  Anchor rotations.


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.

You can move the objects freely in the horizontal plane by using a Left "click and drag" anywhere on the selected object except on an Anchor.

FineAdjustZMove S20.png
Scenery object after a  Blue  vertical Anchor movement
  FineAdjustYawMove S20.png
Scenery object after a  Green  Anchor rotation
  FineAdjustPitchMove S20.png
Scenery object after a  Red  Anchor rotation
  FineAdjustRotateMove S20.png
Scenery object after a  Blue  Anchor rotation


NotePad.PNG Notes:

Objects can be restored to their original height and rotation settings by opening their Context Menu and selecting either:-

Ablue.png  Reset Object Rotation  to cancel the rotation changes, OR
Bblue.png  Settle on Ground  to cancel the height change

The  Randomise Object Rotation  option in the Context Menu only affects rotations around the vertical axis.


 Selecting Multiple Objects 

Multiple objects can be selected with the Fine Adjustment Tool.

FineAdjustMultiGroup S20.png FineAdjustMultiSelect S20.png
To select multiple objects:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Fine Adjustment Tool or press the  D  key
DotPoint2.JPG Hold the  Shift  key down
DotPoint3.JPG Left click on each object that is to be included in the selection group


NotePad.PNG Notes:

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


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


In the examples 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 Frame.

FineAdjustMultiRotate S20.png Using the  Blue  rotation Anchor, all the objects are rotated in the horizontal plane around the 3D Frame which is attached to the car, the last object that was selected. The 3D Frame on the car is the centre of all rotations.
FineAdjustMultiYaw S20.png Restarting 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 car. The tree does not move.
FineAdjustMultiPitch S20.png Again restarting 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 car. This time the tree does move but vertically upwards. It does not rotate like the car and the pole.


 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
 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 (Size 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.

FineAdjustTrackObject S20.png
PencilTips.PNG Situations where this feature is useful include:-
DotPoint.JPG placing Track Marks and Triggers above or beside the track so that they are not hidden by consists parked on top of them
DotPoint.JPG 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


NotePad.PNG Track objects can be restored to their original height and position (on the track) by opening their Context Menu and selecting:-
Ablue.png  Reattach to Track  to cancel the both the height and position changes, OR
Bblue.png  Settle on Ground  to cancel the height change only


Track objects can also be rotated to the opposite side of the track.

FineAdjustTrackObjectReversed S20.png
To rotate a track object:-
DotPoint1.JPG Open the track objects Context Menu (click the icon or press the  T  key)
DotPoint2.JPG 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:-
Ablue.png an endpoint, OR
Bblue.png a segment, OR
Cblue.png multiple segments including the whole length of the spline


 Moving Spline Endpoints 

FineAdjustSplineEndPoint S20.png
To move an individual spline endpoint:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Fine Adjustment Tool.
DotPoint2.JPG 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.
DotPoint3.JPG "Left Click and Drag" either:-
Ablue.png an Anchor to move the endpoint in that specific direction, OR
Bblue.png the endpoint itself to move it in any direction in the horizontal plane


 Moving Spline Segments 

NotePad.PNG Notes:
  The  Green  rotational Anchor CANNOT be used on Track splines


FineAdjustSplineSegment S20.png
To move spline segments:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Fine Adjustment Tool.
DotPoint2.JPG Select, Left click on, the spline segment to be moved.
DotPoint3.JPG "Left Click and Drag" either:-
 
Ablue.png an Anchor to move the endpoint in that specific direction, OR
Bblue.png anywhere in a segment to move it in any direction in the horizontal plane


PencilTips.PNG To select:-
Ablue.png more than one segment. Hold the  Shift  key down and individually Left click on each segment
Bblue.png 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


FineAdjustSplineSegmentStraight S20.png 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.
FineAdjustSplineSegmentXYMove S20.png
Segment moved to the right along the  Red  line
FineAdjustSplineSegmentZMove S20.png
Segment moved up along the  Blue  line
FineAdjustSplineSegmentRotate S20.png
Segment rotated anti-clockwise around the  Blue  Anchor
FineAdjustSplineSegmentPitch S20.png
Segment rotated clockwise the  Red  Anchor


PencilTips.PNG
DotPoint.JPG 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
DotPoint.JPG 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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The Marquee Tool

S20 MarqueeToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  F  The Marquee Tool Selects Areas of a Route


This tool uses the Scrapbook Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.



This section is still under construction

The Info Palette

This palette can be easily overlooked but it has some very useful features.

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


This section is still under construction

NotePad.PNG Notes:

For a selected (highlighted) object the following mappings apply regardless of an objects rotation in the horizontal plane:-

  • the  X  axis is the North-South compass direction
  • the  Y  axis is the East-West compass direction

For a selected (highlighted) object the following mapping applies in relation to how it has been rotated through the vertical plane:-

  • the  Z  axis is the Up-Down direction


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Trainz Wiki

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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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