Revision as of 10:24, 23 December 2022

The information in this Wiki Page applies to TANE, TRS19, Trainz Plus and TRS22.

In Summary:
	Track Markers are red coloured track objects that are invisible in Driver Mode but visible in Surveyor Mode
	Track Markers are used as destinations or waypoints for AI driver commands
	Track Markers only work on AI controlled trains. They have no effect on manually controlled trains
	The direction that the marker is pointing has absolutely NO EFFECT on its operation

What are Track Markers?

The Trainz AI relies heavily on Track Markers to direct trains around a layout. They are only visible in Surveyor Mode.

Track markers are the targets for:-
	Drive To Trackmark and Navigate To Trackmark driver commands
	Drive Via Trackmark and Navigate Via Trackmark driver commands
They can also be used as:-
	attachments for Navigation Points
	locations for Coupling operations

Route or Session?

Track Markers can be placed in a Route layer or in a Session layer

Notes:

	Placing Track 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.
	Placing Track 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 Track Marks (destinations and waypoints) in each Session.

Information on Route and Session layers can be found at:-

How to Use Layers

Adding a Track Marker

Notes:

A Track Marker has two important properties:-

its name which is needed for all commands and rules that use the Track Marker, and
its Trigger Radius (the red "wings" shown in the image below, the radius value is shown below the marker name). This controls how closely an AI train has to approach the marker to activate it (smaller radius = closer to the Track Marker)

The direction that a Track Marker is pointing has NO EFFECT on its operation

In Surveyor Classic (S10)

Setting the Track Marker

Steps:

Open the Track Tool
Select the Trackmark button
Select the Track Marker
Select the + (add) button - it may already be selected
Left click on the track location where the Track Marker is to be placed

If necessary, you can adjust the position of the Track Marker by dragging it along the track using the Move tool

When placed, the properties window for the Track Marker will appear.

Enter a name for the Track Marker and, if needed, select a layer.

Enter a useful name for each Track Marker - the name will be needed for driver commands. Most creators base the name on the location (e.g. "Maintown Track 1 North")

Set the Trigger Radius
At the bottom of the Track Tools flyout menu is an Advanced button. Left click this button to open the Track Marker advanced tool set.

Steps:

Left click the Advanced button

You then have a choice of methods to set and adjust the Trigger Radius of Track Markers

To copy the current Trigger Radius of an existing Track Marker

Left click the Get Trigger Radius icon
Left click the Track Marker whose radius you want to copy - the radius will be copied into the Trigger Radius value box (the default value is 20.00 metres)

To manually alter the Trigger Radius

Type the new value (in metres) into the Trigger Radius value box

To apply a value in the Trigger Radius value box (from methods , or ) to another Track Marker

Left click the Set Trigger Radius icon
Left click on the Track Marker that is to receive the new value (you can click on more than one)

To adjust the value up or down

Left click the Adjust Trigger Radius button
Select the Track Marker
Hold down the Left mouse button and move the mouse forward (to increase the value) or backwards (to reduce the value)
The new value will be immediately applied to the selected Track Marker as the mouse moves (but only one marker at a time)

Once you have a Trigger Radius entered in the value box, you can apply it to any number of Track Markers by using method

shown above

In Surveyor 2.0 (S20)

Adding a Track Marker

In the Asset Palette either:-

Left click the Track Mesh Filter icon

Track mesh

OR

Left click the Content Drop-down Box

Filter List
Then select Track Objects

Shortcut

If you already have a Track Mark in your route then:-

select the Eyedropper Tool in the Tools Palette (or press the R key)
Left click on the existing Track Mark object

This will instantly select the Track Mark in the filter list.

Jump down to Step below.

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.

Select the item Track Mark.

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

Place the Track Mark on the track.

Notes:

To delete a Track Mark (or any asset):-

select either the:-
- Free Move Tool (or press S ) or
- Fine Adjustment Tool (or press D )
Left click on the Track Mark
press the Delete key

If you need to rotate the Track Mark to face the opposite direction then:-

Left click on its Context Tool (or press the T key if the asset has already been selected)
from the popup menu select Rotate Trackside

But note that the direction it faces has no effect on its operation.

Steps:

	Select the Placement Tool (or press the E key) from the Tools Palette
	Left click on the track at the position where you want to place the Track Mark

The Track Mark can be easily moved if needed - see below.

Tools and keymap for S20

Set the Track Mark Properties

Name the Track Mark


	Steps: Left click on the Context Tool ( in the image on the left or press the T key if the asset has already been selected) to open up the object property and control menu Left click on Edit Properties Enter a name for the Track Mark

Set the Track Mark Trigger Radius


	Steps: Left click and hold down the mouse button on the Green Dot next to the Track Mark ( in the image above) While holding down the Left mouse button, move the mouse Forward or Backward to increase or reduce the trigger radius

Move the Track Mark Along the Track


	Steps: Left click and hold down the mouse button on the Yellow Dot next to the Track Mark ( in the image above) While holding down the Left mouse button, move the mouse Forward or Backward to drag the Track Mark along the track

Reposition the Track Mark Up/Down

This feature allows a Track Mark to be physically placed above the track so that it will not be hidden if a consist is parked on the Track Mark.


	Steps: Select the Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the D key) Left click and hold down the mouse button on the Blue Vertical Axis Line above the Track Mark ( in the image on the left) While holding down the Left mouse button, move the mouse Forward or Backward to move the Track Mark Up or Down

If you need to return the Track Mark to its original position then:-

Left click on its Context Tool (or press the T key if the asset has already been selected)
from the popup menu select Reattach to Track

Reposition the Track Mark Left/Right
This feature allows a Track Mark to be physically placed alongside the track so that it will not be hidden if a consist is parked on the Track Mark.

Steps:

Select the Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the D key)
Left click and hold down the mouse button on the Red Horizontal Axis Line on the Track Mark ( in the image above)
While holding down the Left mouse button, move the mouse Forward or Backward to move the Track Mark Left or Right of the track

Notes:

The Green Horizontal Axis Line also shown in the image above pointing forward from the Track Mark will move the Track Mark forward/backward regardless of whether it is on the track or not. Using this device to move the Track Mark forward/backward does not alter its "active" position on the track as indicated by the yellow dot. The active position will always remain at the point where the Track Mark was originally placed. To move the Track Mark and its active position follow the instructions shown in Move the Track Mark Along the Track above.

If you need to return the Track Mark to its original position then:-

Left click on its Context Tool (or press the T key if the asset has already been selected)
from the popup menu select Reattach to Track

Move a Track Mark to a New Layer

The Info Palette will show the layer assigned to the currently selected object. To the left of the layer name is a small arrow object.

Info palette

Layer control

Steps:

click the small arrow next to the layer name. This will open the layer properties for the selected object
click the Layer drop down box to select a new layer for the object
if required, click the Binding drop down box to select a new binding layer for the object
if required, click the Lock Layer button to lock the selected layer. If the layer is already locked then this will be shown as an Unlock Layer button

WARNING:

You will not be allowed to place a track object in a layer that is higher up the list than the layer containing the track.

Track Marker Operation

The most common use for Track Markers is as destinations for driver commands or as "way points" to direct a train to a destination via one or more intermediate places. They can also be used as the targets for Navigation Points and coupling operations.

Driver Navigation Commands

Information on adding driver commands can be found at:-

How to Use the Driver Setup Rule

	Drive To Trackmark and Drive Via Trackmark commands will NOT force the AI to find a clear path to the Track Marker if the shortest path is blocked
	Navigate To Trackmark and Navigate Via Trackmark commands will force the AI to find a clear path to the Track Marker if the shortest path is blocked. The path chosen may not be prototypical

	Drive To Trackmark Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to the designated Track Marker. The AI will noticeably slow the train as it approaches the Track Marker. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will NOT attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Marker. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed. This command is built in to Trainz
	Drive Via Trackmark Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to and through the designated Track Marker. If there are no further navigation commands (e.g. Drive To, etc) then the AI will halt the train after passing the Track Marker. If there are further navigation commands then the AI will proceed through the Track Marker to the next Track Marker or Industry at normal speed. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will NOT attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Marker. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed. This command is built in to Trainz
	Navigate To Trackmark Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to the designated Track Marker. The AI will noticeably slow the train as it approaches the Track Marker. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Marker. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed. This command is built in to Trainz
	Navigate Via Trackmark Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to and through the designated Track Marker. If there are no further navigation commands (e.g. Navigate To, etc) then the AI will halt the train after passing the Track Marker. If there are further navigation commands then the AI will proceed through the Track Marker to the next Track Marker or Industry at normal speed. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Marker. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed. This command is built in to Trainz

Navigation Points

Navigation Points can be attached to Track Markers to provide users with session instructions.

Information on navigation points can be found at:-

How to Use Navigation Points

Coupling Operations

An AI controlled train can be issued with a driver command to couple with the consist located at a specified Track Marker.

The AI driver moves the train (or just the locomotive if it is by itself) to couple with the wagon that is closest to a specified trackmark. More information on this command can be found at

Couple At Trackmark

This command must be downloaded from the DLS and installed in Trainz

Information on adding driver commands can be found at:-

How to Use the Driver Setup Rule

Trainz Wiki

More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz

This page was created by Trainz user pware in September 2019 and was last updated as shown below.

@@ Line 371: / Line 371: @@
 <td>[[image:Steps.PNG|link=]]</td>
 <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Steps:</span><br>
-# Select the '''Placement Tool''' (or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;E&#160;</span> key) from the '''Tools Palette'''
+<table>
-# '''Left''' click on the track at the position where you want to place the '''Track Mark'''
+<tr valign="top">
-<br>
+<td>[[image:DotPoint1Blue.png|link=]]</td>
+<td>Select the '''Placement Tool''' (or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;E&#160;</span> key) from the '''Tools Palette'''</td>
+</tr>
+<tr valign="top">
+<td>[[image:DotPoint2Blue.png|link=]]</td>
+<td>'''Left''' click on the track at the position where you want to place the '''Track Mark'''</td>
+</tr>
+</table>
 The '''Track Mark''' can be easily moved if needed - see below.
 </td>
@@ Line 391: / Line 398: @@
 <tr valign="top">
 <td>[[image:TrackmarkAdjust_S20.png|link=]]</td>
-<td>[[image:DotPoint1Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Name the Track Mark</span><br>
+<td>[[image:DotPoint3Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Name the Track Mark</span><br>
 <table cellpadding=4 bgcolor=#ffffff>
 <tr>
@@ Line 400: / Line 407: @@
 <td>[[image:Steps.PNG|link=]]</td>
 <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Steps:</span><br>
-# '''Left''' click on the '''Context Tool''' ([[image:DotPoint1Blue.png|link=]] in the image on the left or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;T&#160;</span> key if the asset has already been selected) to open up the object property and control menu
+# '''Left''' click on the '''Context Tool''' ([[image:DotPoint3Blue.png|link=]] in the image on the left or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;T&#160;</span> key if the asset has already been selected) to open up the object property and control menu
 # '''Left''' click on '''Edit Properties'''
 # Enter a name for the '''Track Mark'''
@@ Line 417: / Line 424: @@
 </table>
 <br>
-[[image:DotPoint2Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Set the Track Mark Trigger Radius</span><br>
+[[image:DotPoint4Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Set the Track Mark Trigger Radius</span><br>
 <table cellpadding=4 bgcolor=#ffffff>
@@ Line 427: / Line 434: @@
 <td>[[image:Steps.PNG|link=]]</td>
 <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Steps:</span><br>
-# '''Left''' click and hold down the mouse button on the '''Green Dot''' next to the '''Track Mark''' ([[image:DotPoint2Blue.png|link=]] in the image above)
+# '''Left''' click and hold down the mouse button on the '''Green Dot''' next to the '''Track Mark''' ([[image:DotPoint4Blue.png|link=]] in the image above)
 # While holding down the '''Left''' mouse button, move the mouse '''Forward''' or '''Backward''' to increase or reduce the trigger radius
 </td>
@@ Line 437: / Line 444: @@
 </table>
 <br>
-[[image:DotPoint3Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Move the Track Mark Along the Track</span><br>
+[[image:DotPoint5Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Move the Track Mark Along the Track</span><br>
 <table cellpadding=4 bgcolor=#ffffff>
 <tr>
@@ Line 446: / Line 453: @@
 <td>[[image:Steps.PNG|link=]]</td>
 <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Steps:</span><br>
-# '''Left''' click and hold down the mouse button on the '''Yellow Dot''' next to the '''Track Mark''' ([[image:DotPoint3Blue.png|link=]] in the image above)
+# '''Left''' click and hold down the mouse button on the '''Yellow Dot''' next to the '''Track Mark''' ([[image:DotPoint5Blue.png|link=]] in the image above)
 # While holding down the '''Left''' mouse button, move the mouse '''Forward''' or '''Backward''' to drag the '''Track Mark''' along the track
 </td>
@@ Line 459: / Line 466: @@
 <tr valign="top">
 <td>[[image:TrackmarkFineAdjust_S20.png|link=]]<td>
-<td>[[image:DotPoint4Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Reposition the Track Mark Up/Down</span><br>
+<td>[[image:DotPoint6Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Reposition the Track Mark Up/Down</span><br>
 This feature allows a '''Track Mark''' to be physically placed above the track so that it will not be hidden if a consist is parked on the '''Track Mark'''.<br>
 <table cellpadding=4 bgcolor=#ffffff width=530>
@@ Line 470: / Line 477: @@
 <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Steps:</span><br>
 # Select the '''Fine Adjustment Tool''' (or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white;background-color: black;">&#160;D&#160;</span> key)
-# '''Left''' click and hold down the mouse button on the '''Blue Vertical Axis Line''' above the '''Track Mark''' ([[image:DotPoint4Blue.png|link=]] in the image on the left)
+# '''Left''' click and hold down the mouse button on the '''Blue Vertical Axis Line''' above the '''Track Mark''' ([[image:DotPoint6Blue.png|link=]] in the image on the left)
 # While holding down the '''Left''' mouse button, move the mouse '''Forward''' or '''Backward''' to move the '''Track Mark''' '''Up''' or '''Down'''
 </td>
@@ Line 498: / Line 505: @@
 <br>
-[[image:DotPoint5Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Reposition the Track Mark Left/Right</span><br>
+[[image:DotPoint7Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px;">Reposition the Track Mark Left/Right</span><br>
 This feature allows a '''Track Mark''' to be physically placed alongside the track so that it will not be hidden if a consist is parked on the '''Track Mark'''.<br>
 <table cellpadding=4 bgcolor=#ffffff width=900>
@@ Line 509: / Line 516: @@
 <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Steps:</span><br>
 # Select the '''Fine Adjustment Tool''' (or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white;background-color: black;">&#160;D&#160;</span> key)
-# '''Left''' click and hold down the mouse button on the '''Red Horizontal Axis Line''' on the '''Track Mark''' ([[image:DotPoint5Blue.png|link=]] in the image above)
+# '''Left''' click and hold down the mouse button on the '''Red Horizontal Axis Line''' on the '''Track Mark''' ([[image:DotPoint7Blue.png|link=]] in the image above)
 # While holding down the '''Left''' mouse button, move the mouse '''Forward''' or '''Backward''' to move the '''Track Mark''' '''Left''' or '''Right''' of the track
 </td>
@@ Line 524: / Line 531: @@
 <td><span style="font-size: 17px; font-weight: 700;">Notes:'''</span><br>
 ----
-The '''Green Horizontal Axis Line''' also shown in the image above pointing forward from the '''Track Mark''' will move the '''Track Mark''' forward/backward regardless of whether it is on the track or not. Using this device to move the '''Track Mark''' forward/backward does not alter its "active" position on the track as indicated by the yellow dot. The active position will always remain at the point where the '''Track Mark''' was originally placed. To move the '''Track Mark''' and its active position follow the instructions shown in [[image:DotPoint3Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;">Move the Track Mark Along the Track</span> above.
+The '''Green Horizontal Axis Line''' also shown in the image above pointing forward from the '''Track Mark''' will move the '''Track Mark''' forward/backward regardless of whether it is on the track or not. Using this device to move the '''Track Mark''' forward/backward does not alter its "active" position on the track as indicated by the yellow dot. The active position will always remain at the point where the '''Track Mark''' was originally placed. To move the '''Track Mark''' and its active position follow the instructions shown in [[image:DotPoint5Blue.png|link=]] <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;">Move the Track Mark Along the Track</span> above.
 </td>
 </tr>

How to Use Track Markers

Revision as of 10:24, 23 December 2022

Contents

What are Track Markers?

Route or Session?

Adding a Track Marker

In Surveyor Classic (S10)

In Surveyor 2.0 (S20)

Track Marker Operation

Driver Navigation Commands

Navigation Points

Coupling Operations

Related Links

Trainz Wiki

Views

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