How to Use Layers
m (→ Locking Layers (S20) ) |
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<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
<td> | <td> | ||
− | Each individual layer has an '''Eye''' icon that controls the visible state of that layer. <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; background-color: lightcyan;">Left Click</span> on the icon to toggle its state between '''visible''' and '''hidden'''. | + | Each individual layer has an '''Eye''' icon that controls the visible state of that layer. <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; background-color: lightcyan;">Left Click</span> on the icon to toggle its state between '''visible''' and '''hidden'''. If the '''Eye''' is:- |
− | If the '''Eye''' is:- | + | |
:[[image:LayerEyeOpen_S20.png|link=]] open then layer is '''visible''' in both Surveyor and Driver | :[[image:LayerEyeOpen_S20.png|link=]] open then layer is '''visible''' in both Surveyor and Driver | ||
:[[image:LayerEyeClosed_S20.png|link=]] closed then layer is '''hidden''' in both Surveyor and Driver</td> | :[[image:LayerEyeClosed_S20.png|link=]] closed then layer is '''hidden''' in both Surveyor and Driver</td> | ||
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<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
<td> | <td> | ||
− | Each individual layer has a '''Padlock''' icon that controls the state ([[image:LayerLocked_S20.png|link=]] '''Locked''' or [[image:LayerUnLocked_S20.png|link=]] '''Unlocked''') of that layer. <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; background-color: lightcyan;">Left Click</span> on the icon to toggle its state between '''Locked''' and '''Unlocked'''. If the '''Padlock''' is:- | + | Each individual layer has a '''Padlock''' icon that controls the state ([[image:LayerLocked_S20.png|link=]] '''Locked''' or [[image:LayerUnLocked_S20.png|link=]] '''Unlocked''') of that layer. <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; background-color: lightcyan;">Left Click</span> on the icon to toggle its state between '''Locked''' and '''Unlocked'''.<br> |
+ | If the '''Padlock''' is:- | ||
:[[image:LayerUnLocked_S20.png|link=]] open then the layer is '''Unlocked''' and can be edited | :[[image:LayerUnLocked_S20.png|link=]] open then the layer is '''Unlocked''' and can be edited | ||
:[[image:LayerLocked_S20.png|link=]] closed then the layer is '''Locked''' and cannot be edited</td> | :[[image:LayerLocked_S20.png|link=]] closed then the layer is '''Locked''' and cannot be edited</td> | ||
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</table> | </table> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
− | |||
=='''<span style="color: white; background-color: blue;"> Setting the Active Layer (S20) </span>'''== | =='''<span style="color: white; background-color: blue;"> Setting the Active Layer (S20) </span>'''== | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
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<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
<td width=629><span id="stepRouteSession"></span> </td> | <td width=629><span id="stepRouteSession"></span> </td> | ||
− | <td width=50> | + | <td width=50>[[image:SkipDown.png|link=#skipRouteGroup|Skip Down]]</td> <!-- skip Down --> |
<td width=50> </td> <!-- skip Up --> | <td width=50> </td> <!-- skip Up --> | ||
<td width=46>[[file:BackToTop.png|link=#top|alt=Top|Top]]</td> | <td width=46>[[file:BackToTop.png|link=#top|alt=Top|Top]]</td> | ||
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</table> | </table> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
+ | <table width=1000> <!-- BEGIN Nav Buttons Table SKIPS NO SECTIONS --> | ||
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td width=629><span id="skipRouteGroup"></span> | ||
=='''The Route Layers Group'''== | =='''The Route Layers Group'''== | ||
+ | </td> | ||
+ | <td width=50>[[image:SkipDown.png|link=#skipSessionGroup|Skip Down]]</td> <!-- skip Down --> | ||
+ | <td width=50>[[image:SkipUp.png|link=#stepRouteSession|Skip Up]]</td> <!-- skip Up --> | ||
+ | <td width=46> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | ||
+ | |||
<table cellpadding=2 bgcolor=#c1e7e7> | <table cellpadding=2 bgcolor=#c1e7e7> | ||
<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
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</table> | </table> | ||
+ | <table width=1000> <!-- BEGIN Nav Buttons Table SKIPS NO SECTIONS --> | ||
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td width=629><span id="skipSessionGroup"></span> | ||
=='''The Session Layers Group'''== | =='''The Session Layers Group'''== | ||
+ | </td> | ||
+ | <td width=50>[[image:SkipDown.png|link=#stepBound|Skip Down]]</td> <!-- skip Down --> | ||
+ | <td width=50>[[image:SkipUp.png|link=#skipRouteGroup|Skip Up]]</td> <!-- skip Up --> | ||
+ | <td width=46> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | ||
<table cellpadding=2 bgcolor=#c1e7e7> | <table cellpadding=2 bgcolor=#c1e7e7> | ||
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<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
<td width=629><span id="stepBound"></span> </td> | <td width=629><span id="stepBound"></span> </td> | ||
− | <td width=50> | + | <td width=50>[[image:SkipDown.png|link=#skipBoundS10|Skip Down]]</td> <!-- skip Down --> |
− | <td width=50> | + | <td width=50>[[image:SkipUp.png|link=#skipSessionGroup|Skip Up]]</td> <!-- skip Up --> |
<td width=46>[[file:BackToTop.png|link=#top|alt=Top|Top]]</td> | <td width=46>[[file:BackToTop.png|link=#top|alt=Top|Top]]</td> | ||
<td width=75>[[file:NextUp.png|link=#stepRouteSession|alt=Next Up|Top]]</td> | <td width=75>[[file:NextUp.png|link=#stepRouteSession|alt=Next Up|Top]]</td> | ||
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</table> | </table> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
− | + | <table width=1000> <!-- BEGIN Nav Buttons Table SKIPS NO SECTIONS --> | |
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td width=629><span id="skipBoundS10"></span> | ||
=='''Setting an Object to the Bound Layer in Surveyor Classic (S10)'''== | =='''Setting an Object to the Bound Layer in Surveyor Classic (S10)'''== | ||
+ | </td> | ||
+ | <td width=50>[[image:SkipDown.png|link=#skipBoundS20|Skip Down]]</td> <!-- skip Down --> | ||
+ | <td width=50>[[image:SkipUp.png|link=#stepBound|Skip Up]]</td> <!-- skip Up --> | ||
+ | <td width=46> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | ||
<table width=1000> | <table width=1000> | ||
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<td>[[file:LayersBoundLayer.JPG|link=]]</td> | <td>[[file:LayersBoundLayer.JPG|link=]]</td> | ||
<td> | <td> | ||
− | + | <table bgcolor=#000000 cellpadding=2> | |
− | <table cellpadding=2 bgcolor=#ffffff> | + | <tr valign="top"> |
− | <tr> | + | <td> |
− | <td colspan= | + | <table bgcolor=#ffffff cellpadding=2> |
− | + | <tr valign="top"> | |
+ | <td colspan=2><span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;">Steps:</span> To set a '''Bound Layer''':-</td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
<tr valign="top"> | <tr valign="top"> | ||
− | <td>[[ | + | <td> |
− | <td> | + | <table> |
− | + | <tr valign="top"> | |
− | + | <td width=25>[[image:DotPoint1.JPG|link=]]</td> | |
− | + | <td><span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; background-color: lightcyan;">Left Click</span> the '''Bounding Layer''' box or one of its '''scroll buttons'''</td> | |
− | + | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
− | <tr> | + | <tr valign="top"> |
− | <td | + | <td>[[image:DotPoint2.JPG|link=]]</td> |
− | + | <td>Select the layer to be used as the '''Bound Layer''' for the object (an object cannot be bound to its own layer)</td> | |
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td colspan=2>The effects of the binding can be reversed by setting the '''Bound Layer''' back to '''''<none>'''''</td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> | ||
+ | </td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> | ||
</td> | </td> | ||
</tr> | </tr> | ||
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</table> | </table> | ||
<br> | <br> | ||
− | + | <table width=1000> <!-- BEGIN Nav Buttons Table SKIPS NO SECTIONS --> | |
+ | <tr valign="top"> | ||
+ | <td width=629><span id="skipBoundS20"></span> | ||
=='''<span style="color: white; background-color: blue;"> Setting an Object to the Bound Layer in Surveyor 2.0 (S20) </span>'''== | =='''<span style="color: white; background-color: blue;"> Setting an Object to the Bound Layer in Surveyor 2.0 (S20) </span>'''== | ||
+ | </td> | ||
+ | <td width=50>[[image:SkipDown.png|link=#stepDriver|Skip Down]]</td> <!-- skip Down --> | ||
+ | <td width=50>[[image:SkipUp.png|link=#skipBoundS10|Skip Up]]</td> <!-- skip Up --> | ||
+ | <td width=46> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | <td width=75> </td> | ||
+ | </tr> | ||
+ | </table> <!-- END Nav Buttons Table --> | ||
<table width=1000 bgcolor=#000000 cellpadding=2> | <table width=1000 bgcolor=#000000 cellpadding=2> | ||
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<td width=629><span id="stepDriver"></span> </td> | <td width=629><span id="stepDriver"></span> </td> | ||
<td width=50> </td> <!-- skip Down --> | <td width=50> </td> <!-- skip Down --> | ||
− | <td width=50> | + | <td width=50>[[image:SkipUp.png|link=#skipBoundS20|Skip Up]]</td> <!-- skip Up --> |
<td width=46>[[file:BackToTop.png|link=#top|alt=Top|Top]]</td> | <td width=46>[[file:BackToTop.png|link=#top|alt=Top|Top]]</td> | ||
<td width=75>[[file:NextUp.png|link=#stepBound|alt=Next Up|Top]]</td> | <td width=75>[[file:NextUp.png|link=#stepBound|alt=Next Up|Top]]</td> |
Revision as of 09:01, 13 September 2023
The information in this Wiki Page applies to TANE, TRS19, Trainz Plus (in Surveyor Classic mode) and TRS22.
What Are Layers?
Layers can contain any objects, visible and invisible, that can be placed into a layout in Surveyor Classic using the Object, Track and Train tools or using the Placement Tool in Surveyor 2.0. The layers and their contents can be hidden from view (in both Surveyor and in Driver) or locked against alteration whenever required. Their main use is in the development of a Route and a Session but they can also be used as a way of providing some additional novelty during a Driver session. |
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Almost all of what you will see in a Trainz World will be found in layers, and mostly in the Route Layers and Session Layers.
Route Layers will contain the objects that will appear in ALL the sessions created using the current route | |
Session Layers will contain the objects that will only appear in the current session | |
Effect Layers (Trainz Plus and TRS22) will contain the TurfFX, Clutter and Water effects created using the current route |
The Layers Tool in Surveyor Classic (S10)
Left Click the Layers Tool (or press F6 ) to open up its properties. |
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Loading a Route and Loading a Session (S10) |
In Summary: | |
Route Layers are saved with the Route. Session Layers are saved with the Session. | |
If you edit a Session Layer and later load just the Route then those edits will not appear. |
More information on creating, loading and saving Routes and Sessions can be found on the Trainz Wiki Page at Route and Session Basics |
The layers you see will depend on whether you have loaded a Route by itself (with no "child" Session) or a Session and its "parent" Route.
The first image on the left gives an example of the layers that can appear if a Route only is loaded into Surveyor. These are the layers that are saved with the Route. Note that a default "session-layer" is present.
The second image on the left gives an example of the layers that can appear if a Session based on that Route is loaded into Surveyor. It shows Route Layers and Session Layers. In both cases, the Route Layers are identical because the same Route has been loaded. A Session contains its own layers, the Session Layers, that are loaded and saved with the Session but are not loaded or saved with the Route.
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Creating a New Route (S10) |
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The "Active Layer" (S10) |
In Summary: | |
The Active Layer is the selected (highlighted) layer. | |
When you load the Route only into Surveyor, the first Route layer will be the Active Layer | |
When you load a Session into Surveyor, the first Session layer will be the Active Layer |
In the image above, the route-layer is the Active Layer. You can change the Active Layer at any time by a Left Click on the name of another layer. |
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Adding a New Layer (S10) |
Left Click the Add Button |
An Add layer dialogue window will appear.
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Deleting a Layer (S10) |
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Select the layer to be deleted and Left Click on the Delete Button. If you don't select a layer to delete then Trainz will select the current Active Layer. |
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If the layer being deleted is empty, then the following dialogue window will appear:-
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If the layer being deleted is NOT empty, then the following dialogue window will appear:-
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Merging Layers (S10) |
In Summary: | |
Merging a layer into another layer will move ALL the objects from the first layer into the second layer. The first layer, which is now empty, will then be deleted. | |
Once layers have been merged they cannot be separated. |
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Select the layer to be merged into another layer and Left Click the Merge button. If you don't select a layer to merge then Trainz will select the current Active Layer. |
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The layer merge dialogue window will appear as shown below:-
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Locking Layers (S10) |
If you LOCK or UNLOCK a Route Layer while editing a Session then you will have made a change to the Route and will be asked to save both the Route and the Session when you exit Surveyor. |
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Locking Individual Layers (S10)
The objects in a LOCKED layer cannot be moved (around the layout) or deleted but they can be moved to other layers. |
To LOCK an individual layer, Left Click on the Open Padlock icon next to its name. The layer being locked does not have to be the current Active Layer.
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If you attempt to add a scenery object to a locked layer you will receive the following message:-
Left Click on the icon to UNLOCK the layer Left Click on the icon to cancel the object placement |
Locking ALL Route Layers (S10)
Left Click on the Lock Button |
This will LOCK ALL the layers in the Route Layers Group. The Session Layers Group will not be affected.
The Route Layers Group can be UNLOCKED by a Left Click on the Lock Button again.
Moving a Layer (S10) |
Main Points: | |||||
Layers can be moved up or down
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Track Objects (signals, switches, etc) should be in the same layer or in a layer below the Track layer |
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In the example shown below a layer created in the Route Layers Group is being moved into the Session Layers Group.
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Hiding Layers (S10) |
To hide or show a layer Left Click the Eye Icon next to its name.
In the image shown left the two trees are in different Route Layers and all the layers have their Eye icons open (set to Show) | ||||||||
In the image shown left the Trees layer has its Eye icon closed (set to Hide)
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Adding Objects To Layers (S10) |
When an object (such as a scenery item, consist, track or track object) is added to the layout it is automatically placed in the currently Active Layer. Unfortunately, Surveyor Classic (S10) does not indicate which layer is the Active Layer unless you open the Layers Tool to look. This can lead to objects being placed into the wrong layers and while these objects can later be moved to another layer (see the section Moving Objects To Other Layers below) it would be better to correctly set the Active Layer first. |
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You cannot add objects to a layer that is LOCKED. |
If you attempt to add a scenery object to a locked layer you will receive the following message:-
Left Click on the icon to UNLOCK the layer Left Click on the icon to cancel the addition |
When adding track objects (signals, speed signs, etc) to a track, the objects being added must be in the same layer as the track or in a layer below the track layer. For more information, see the section The "route-layer" above. |
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Deleting Objects From Layers (S10) |
You cannot delete objects from a layer that is LOCKED |
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Unfortunately Trainz does not give you a warning message when you attempt to delete an object from a locked layer, the object just refuses to be deleted.
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Moving Objects To Other Layers (S10) |
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The Layers Palette in Surveyor 2.0 (S20)
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Layers are found in the Layers Palette.
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Lock the Route Layer Group (S20)
All the layers in the Route Layer Group can be locked against accidental alteration.
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Open a Layer Group (S20)
To the left of each Layer Group name is a small arrow. Left Click on the arrow to open up the group.
The image on the left shows that the Session Layers Group is open and its individual layers are now displayed. To close or minimise the group Left Click on the arrow again.
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Add a New Layer (S20)
You cannot create new layer groups but you can add new layers to a existing group. |
Renaming a Layer (S20)
Right Click on a layer name and select Rename Layer.. from the popup menu. You will be asked to enter a new name for the layer. |
Deleting a Layer (S20)
Right Click on a layer name and select Delete Layer from the popup menu. You will be given a warning that you are about to delete a layer.
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Moving a Layer (S20)
Layers can be individually moved up and down within the same layer group or between the Route Layers Group and the Session Layers Group.
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Left Click on a layer name and, while holding the left button down, drag the layer up or down to its new position. | |
depending on the contents of the layer, the process may take some time. You will be shown a progress bar during the move operation | |
the move can be reversed (after it has completed) by using the Ctrl Z keys |
Merging a Layer (S20)
Right Click on a layer name and select Merge Layer Up from the popup menu.
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Hiding Layers (S20)
Each individual layer has an Eye icon that controls the visible state of that layer. Left Click on the icon to toggle its state between visible and hidden. If the Eye is:-
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Locking Layers (S20)
Each individual layer has a Padlock icon that controls the state ( Locked or Unlocked) of that layer. Left Click on the icon to toggle its state between Locked and Unlocked.
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Setting the Active Layer (S20)
the Active Layer is the layer where new objects will be automatically added when using the Placement Tool. The active layer is shown in the palette with its name on a blue background. In the image on the left the Rail Workers layer is the current Active Layer. The name of the current Active Layer is also shown in the Layer Palette Title Bar. To set a new Active Layer, Double Left Click on a layer name. |
Move an Object to a New Layer (S20)
The Info Palette will show the layer assigned to the currently selected object. An object is selected by using the Free Move Tool (the S key) or the Fine Adjustment Tool (the D key) found in the Tools Palette.
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Route Layers vs Session Layers
This topic has filled endless threads in the Trainz Forums with arguments raging on both sides.
In Summary: | |
In general, there are no "cast iron" rules that dictate what should be placed in the Route Layers Group and what should be placed in the Session Layers Group (for an exception see TRS19 Platinum Edition, Trainz Plus, TRS22 Notes below). Each Route and Session will be different and different creators have different ways of working. The main question to be asked is how many different Sessions will be created using a particular Route? |
Notes:
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TRS19 Platinum Edition, Trainz Plus, TRS22 Notes:
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The Route Layers Group |
The Route Layer Group should be used for everything that will always appear in Driver Mode regardless of which Session is playing. |
There is nothing stopping you from placing everything in the "route-layer" of the Route Layers Group and never having to worry about dealing with layers ever again - some creators prefer to work this way. However, layers do provide you with a way of organising your scenery objects to make them more manageable, particularly in more complicated layouts. Some examples:-
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The "route-layer"
To avoid any confusion over which layer is the original "route-layer", this is one layer that should not be renamed or moved from the top position. |
While all layers are equal, the "route-layer" is special.
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The Session Layers Group |
The Session Layers Group should be used for everything that will only be seen in the currently loaded Session. |
If you are creating more than one Session based around a particular Route, then you will probably make use of the Session Layers.
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The "session-layer"
An empty session-layer will be automatically created when you:- | |
load a route without also loading a session, or | |
create a new route | |
If you add anything to the session-layer or add new layers to the Session Layers Group and do not save the session before you exit from Trainz then these changes will be lost. |
The Bound Layer
In Trainz Plus and TRS22 the Bound Layer is often referred to as the Binding Layer |
This is a little used and probably little understood layer feature. It allows you to attach an object to two different layers so it can have the properties (locked/unlocked and show/hide) of both layers. The bound/binding layer was introduced as a development tool, its sole use is as a tool in the building of routes and sessions.
An object will be LOCKED and cannot be deleted or moved if its layer OR its bound/binding layer is locked. | |
An object will be HIDDEN if its layer OR its bound/binding layer is hidden. | |
Rulers cannot be bound to another layer. |
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Setting an Object to the Bound Layer in Surveyor Classic (S10) |
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When a layer is deleted any objects bound to that layer will have their Bound Layer reset to <none> |
Setting an Object to the Bound Layer in Surveyor 2.0 (S20) |
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When a layer is deleted any objects bound to that layer will have their Bound Layer reset to <none> |
Layers in Driver Mode
During the running of a Session in Driver Mode visible layers can be hidden and invisible layers revealled according to the events that occur during the Session.
The two Driver Mode scenes shown on the left illustrate this feature.
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This effect could be achieved in two different ways:- | |
A Driver Command - specific to a particular driver, or | |
A Session Rule - specific to a particular driver, consist, or any driver/consist |
Using a Driver Command
The driver command Layer Control hides and shows named layers.
Using Session Rules
Rules Used: |
- Trackside Check Rule - to trigger the event
- Show/Hide Layer Rule - to hide layers
- Message Popup Rule - to open a browser window with a message
Session Editor Screenshot: |
Description: |
In this example:- | ||||||
The Trackside Check Rule is triggered when a specific train comes to a stop at a trackmark. This then executes the following rules in order:-
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Trainz Wiki
More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz |
This page was created by Trainz user pware in June 2018 and was last updated as shown below.