How to Use Track Direction Markers
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The information in this Wiki Page applies to '''TANE''', '''TRS19''', '''Trainz Plus''' and '''TRS22'''. | The information in this Wiki Page applies to '''TANE''', '''TRS19''', '''Trainz Plus''' and '''TRS22'''. | ||
− | + | <table> | |
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td> | ||
__TOC__ | __TOC__ | ||
+ | </td> | ||
+ | <td width=800> | ||
+ | <table cellpadding=4 bgcolor=#c1e7e7> | ||
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td colspan=2><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">In Summary:</span></td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td>[[file:DotPoint.JPG|link=]]</td> | ||
+ | <td>'''Track Direction Markers are yellow coloured track markers that are invisible in ''Driver Mode'' but visible in ''Surveyor Mode'''''</td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td>[[file:DotPoint.JPG|link=]]</td> | ||
+ | <td>'''Track Direction Markers are used as "One Way" signs to force trains under AI control to travel in a specific direction through the track section where they are placed'''</td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td>[[file:DotPoint.JPG|link=]]</td> | ||
+ | <td>'''Track Direction Markers only work on AI controlled trains.''' They have no effect on manually controlled trains</td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> | ||
+ | </td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> | ||
<table> <!-- BEGIN Nav Buttons Table --> | <table> <!-- BEGIN Nav Buttons Table --> | ||
<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
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</table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | </table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | ||
='''What are Track Direction Markers?'''= | ='''What are Track Direction Markers?'''= | ||
+ | |||
+ | While '''Track Markers''' can be used to direct trains around a layout, they must be added to the '''Driver Commands''' in the form of '''Drive Via''' commands, and similar, to individual train drivers to work. '''Track Direction Markers''' can perform some of the same work without needing to be added to the command lists of the drivers.<br> | ||
+ | |||
+ | '''Direction Markers''' force AI drivers to follow a particular path. They only work on AI controlled trains and have no effect on manually controlled trains. | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | ='''Route or Session?'''= | ||
+ | |||
<table cellpadding=4 bgcolor=#c1e7e7> | <table cellpadding=4 bgcolor=#c1e7e7> | ||
<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
− | <td | + | <td>[[file:DotPoint.JPG|link=]]</td> |
+ | <td>'''Direction Markers can be placed in a Route layer or in a Session layer'''</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | <table bgcolor=#000000 width=900> | ||
<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
− | <td>[[file:DotPoint.JPG|link=]]</td> | + | <td> |
− | <td>''' | + | <table bgcolor=#ffffb0 width=896> |
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td>[[file:NotePad.PNG|link=]]</td> | ||
+ | <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Notes:'''</span><br> | ||
+ | ---- | ||
+ | <table cellpadding=4> | ||
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td width=20>[[image:DotPoint.JPG|link=]]</td> | ||
+ | <td>Placing '''Direction Markers''' in a '''Route layer''' (e.g. in the same layer as the track) means that they will be available in '''all Sessions''' created using that particular Route. | ||
+ | </td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
− | <td>[[ | + | <td width=20>[[image:DotPoint.JPG|link=]]</td> |
− | <td>''' | + | <td>Placing '''Direction Markers''' in a '''Session layer''' means that they will only be available in that Session. This can be useful if two or more Sessions are being created and you want to use different '''Direction Markers''' in each Session. |
+ | </td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> | ||
+ | </td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> | ||
+ | </td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> | ||
+ | <br> | ||
+ | <table cellpadding=4 bgcolor="Aquamarine"> | ||
<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
− | <td>[[file: | + | <td>[[file:LinkWiki.PNG|link=]]</td> |
− | <td> | + | <td>Information on Route and Session layers can be found at:-<br> |
+ | * '''[[How to Use Layers]]''' | ||
+ | </td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
</table> | </table> | ||
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</tr> | </tr> | ||
</table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | </table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | ||
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='''Adding a Track Direction Marker'''= | ='''Adding a Track Direction Marker'''= | ||
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<td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Notes:'''</span><br> | <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Notes:'''</span><br> | ||
---- | ---- | ||
− | A | + | A '''Direction Marker''' has no useful properties other than the direction it is pointing. This is the direction that all AI controlled trains will be forced to take. |
</td> | </td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
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# Select the '''Track Direction Marker''' | # Select the '''Track Direction Marker''' | ||
# Select the '''+''' (add) button - it may already be selected | # Select the '''+''' (add) button - it may already be selected | ||
− | # '''Left''' click on the track location where the | + | # '''Left''' click on the track location where the '''Direction Marker''' is to be placed |
# If it is not facing the correct direction, rotate the marker to point in the opposite direction | # If it is not facing the correct direction, rotate the marker to point in the opposite direction | ||
</td> | </td> | ||
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If you already have a '''Direction Marker''' in your route then:- | If you already have a '''Direction Marker''' in your route then:- | ||
# select the '''Eyedropper Tool''' in the '''Tools Palette''' (or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;"> R </span> key) | # select the '''Eyedropper Tool''' in the '''Tools Palette''' (or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;"> R </span> key) | ||
− | # '''Left''' click on the existing ''' | + | # '''Left''' click on the existing '''Direction Marker''' object |
This will instantly select the '''Direction Marker''' in the filter list.<br> | This will instantly select the '''Direction Marker''' in the filter list.<br> | ||
− | Jump straight | + | Jump straight to '''Step [[image:DotPoint5.JPG|link=]] below'''.</td> |
</tr> | </tr> | ||
</table> | </table> | ||
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<td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Notes:'''</span><br> | <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Notes:'''</span><br> | ||
---- | ---- | ||
− | + | There are '''two''' separate '''Direction Markers''' available. | |
* '''Track Direction Marker''' - this is the original version | * '''Track Direction Marker''' - this is the original version | ||
* '''AI Routing Direction Marker''' - this is similar to the original but it does not affect signal operations | * '''AI Routing Direction Marker''' - this is similar to the original but it does not affect signal operations | ||
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#* '''Free Move Tool''' (or press <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;"> S </span>) or | #* '''Free Move Tool''' (or press <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;"> S </span>) or | ||
#* '''Fine Adjustment Tool''' (or press <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;"> D </span>) | #* '''Fine Adjustment Tool''' (or press <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;"> D </span>) | ||
− | # '''Left''' click on the ''' | + | # '''Left''' click on the '''Direction Marker''' |
# press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;"> Delete </span> key | # press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;"> Delete </span> key | ||
</td> | </td> | ||
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<td colspan=2>[[image:DotPoint1Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Change Its Name</span><br> | <td colspan=2>[[image:DotPoint1Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Change Its Name</span><br> | ||
The name of the marker is only useful for finding it in the route. It is not needed for any operational purpose.</td> | The name of the marker is only useful for finding it in the route. It is not needed for any operational purpose.</td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | <td colspan="2"> | ||
+ | ----</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
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</tr> | </tr> | ||
</table> | </table> | ||
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<table> <!-- BEGIN Nav Buttons Table --> | <table> <!-- BEGIN Nav Buttons Table --> | ||
<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
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</table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | </table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | ||
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='''Direction Marker Operation'''= | ='''Direction Marker Operation'''= | ||
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</table> | </table> | ||
− | Consider the situation represented in the diagrams below. An AI controlled train is moving left to right towards a junction and a loop line. A ''' | + | Consider the situation represented in the diagrams below. An AI controlled train is moving left to right towards a junction and a loop line. A '''Direction Marker''' (yellow triangle) has been set on the main line which only allows AI trains traveling right-to-left to pass along that section of track.<br> |
In '''Figure 1''' below, The train approaches the junction at the start of the one way section.<br> | In '''Figure 1''' below, The train approaches the junction at the start of the one way section.<br> | ||
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<span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 1</span><br> | <span style="text-decoration: underline; font-weight: 700;">Figure 1</span><br> | ||
---- | ---- | ||
− | In '''Figure 2''' below, the train has been forced to take the loop line to avoid the section controlled by the | + | In '''Figure 2''' below, the train has been forced to take the loop line to avoid the section controlled by the '''Direction Marker'''.<br> |
[[file:DirectionMap2.png|link=|alt=Direction Map - bypass]]<br> | [[file:DirectionMap2.png|link=|alt=Direction Map - bypass]]<br> | ||
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---- | ---- | ||
'''Direction Markers can be ignored by the AI'''<br> | '''Direction Markers can be ignored by the AI'''<br> | ||
− | In '''Figure 4''' below, the marker has been placed on the loop line and is pointing in the same direction as the moving train. However, the mainline path represents the shorter route for the consist so the "preferred" direction, as indicated by the | + | In '''Figure 4''' below, the marker has been placed on the loop line and is pointing in the same direction as the moving train. However, the mainline path represents the shorter route for the consist so the "preferred" direction, as indicated by the '''Direction Marker''', is ignored. Placing a '''Direction Marker''' is no guarantee that the path will be followed if more suitable paths are available.<br> |
[[file:DirectionMap4.png|link=|alt=Direction Map - path ignored]]<br> | [[file:DirectionMap4.png|link=|alt=Direction Map - path ignored]]<br> |
Revision as of 20:28, 22 December 2022
The information in this Wiki Page applies to TANE, TRS19, Trainz Plus and TRS22.
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What are Track Direction Markers?
While Track Markers can be used to direct trains around a layout, they must be added to the Driver Commands in the form of Drive Via commands, and similar, to individual train drivers to work. Track Direction Markers can perform some of the same work without needing to be added to the command lists of the drivers.
Direction Markers force AI drivers to follow a particular path. They only work on AI controlled trains and have no effect on manually controlled trains.
Route or Session?
Direction Markers can be placed in a Route layer or in a Session layer |
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Information on Route and Session layers can be found at:- |
Adding a Track Direction Marker
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In Surveyor Classic (S10)
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In Surveyor 2.0 (S20)
Adding a Direction Marker
In the Asset Palette either:-
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OR |
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To narrow down the filter list, type "mark" (UPPER/lower case does not matter) in the Search Text Box
This will list all the Track Objects containing the text "mark" in the filter list.
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Place the Direction Marker on the track.
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Set the Direction Marker Properties
Change Its Direction The direction the marker points is its ONLY important property.
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Move the Direction Marker Along the Track
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Steps:
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Direction Marker Operation
Main Points: | |
Track Direction Markers only work on AI controlled trains. They have no effect on manually controlled trains | |
If the set path is blocked, then the AI will NOT attempt to find another path | |
A set path will be ignored if a shorter path is available |
Consider the situation represented in the diagrams below. An AI controlled train is moving left to right towards a junction and a loop line. A Direction Marker (yellow triangle) has been set on the main line which only allows AI trains traveling right-to-left to pass along that section of track.
In Figure 1 below, The train approaches the junction at the start of the one way section.
Figure 1
In Figure 2 below, the train has been forced to take the loop line to avoid the section controlled by the Direction Marker.
Figure 2
In Figure 3 below, the loop line has been blocked by another train. The moving train will attempt to use the loop line but it will be halted and will not attempt to find another path.
Figure 3
Direction Markers can be ignored by the AI
In Figure 4 below, the marker has been placed on the loop line and is pointing in the same direction as the moving train. However, the mainline path represents the shorter route for the consist so the "preferred" direction, as indicated by the Direction Marker, is ignored. Placing a Direction Marker is no guarantee that the path will be followed if more suitable paths are available.
Figure 4
Related Links
Trainz Wiki
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