How to Use S20 Tools

From TrainzOnline
(Difference between revisions)
Jump to: navigation, search
m
m ( Creating a Scrapbook )
Line 2,041: Line 2,041:
  
 
A new scrapbook is created by one of two methods:-
 
A new scrapbook is created by one of two methods:-
<table width=1000>
+
<table width=1000 bgcolor=#0000ff cellpadding=2>
<tr valign="top">
+
<td>
+
<table width=495 bgcolor=#000000 cellpadding=2>
+
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<td>
 
<td>
Line 2,067: Line 2,064:
 
</table>
 
</table>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 +
<table width=1000>
 +
<tr valign="top">
 +
<td>
 
<table width=495 bgcolor=#000000 cellpadding=2>
 
<table width=495 bgcolor=#000000 cellpadding=2>
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<tr valign="top">
Line 2,076: Line 2,076:
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<td width=20>[[image:DotPoint1.JPG|link=]]</td>
 
<td width=20>[[image:DotPoint1.JPG|link=]]</td>
<td>if you intend to keep this scrapbook then position your camera (screen) to give the best view of the seleted objects. The screen view will become the thumbnail for the scrapbook</td>
+
<td>if you intend to keep this scrapbook (make it permanent) then position your camera (screen) to give the best view of the seleted objects. The screen view will become the thumbnail for the scrapbook</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
<tr valign="top">
 
<tr valign="top">
Line 2,089: Line 2,089:
 
<td>[[image:Bblue.png|link=]]</td>
 
<td>[[image:Bblue.png|link=]]</td>
 
<td>press either <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;Ctrl&#160;</span>&#160;+&#160;<span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;C&#160;</span></span> (Copy) or <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;Ctrl&#160;</span>&#160;+&#160;<span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;X&#160;</span></span> (Cut)</td>
 
<td>press either <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;Ctrl&#160;</span>&#160;+&#160;<span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;C&#160;</span></span> (Copy) or <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;Ctrl&#160;</span>&#160;+&#160;<span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;X&#160;</span></span> (Cut)</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
<tr valign="top">
 +
<td colspan=2>
 +
<table bgcolor=#ffffb0 cellpadding=2>
 +
<tr valign="top">
 +
<td width=25>[[image:NotePad.PNG|link=]]</td>
 +
<td>In both cases using the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px;"><span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;Ctrl&#160;</span>&#160;+&#160;<span style="color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;X&#160;</span></span> or <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 15px; color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;Cut&#160;</span> options will usually remove the selected objects from your '''Trainz World'''</td>
 +
</tr>
 +
</table>
 +
</td>
 
</tr>
 
</tr>
 
</table>
 
</table>
Line 2,156: Line 2,166:
 
</table>
 
</table>
 
<br>
 
<br>
 +
 
===<span style="font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: blue;">&#160;Pasting a Scrapbook&#160;</span>===
 
===<span style="font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: blue;">&#160;Pasting a Scrapbook&#160;</span>===
  

Revision as of 09:51, 3 July 2024

The information in this Wiki Page applies to Surveyor 2.0 (S20) as found in Trainz Plus and TRS22 Platinum.

          Next Down Bottom

Contents

Surveyor 2.0  Mouse  and  Keyboard  Aids and Shortcuts
 Operations 
 LClick   Left Click  on an object to Select it
 Shift   LClick  hold down the Shift key and  Left Click  on another object to add it to the Selection
 LClick   Drag  Left Click and Drag to Move an object or a group of selected objects
 RClick  Right Click on the terrain to Move the Compass Rose and Focus to that location or to open a setting menu in a palette
 DLClick  Double Left Click on an object to add it and all nearby identical objects into a single Selection
DotPointBlueSquare.png when used on a consist all the wagons in the consist, regardless of type, will be selected
DotPointBlueSquare.png when used on a spline or track all the segments upto the next junction or last endpoint (in both directions) will be selected
 Shift   DLClick  hold down the Shift key and Double Left Click on another object to add it and its nearby identical objects to those already in the Selection
 Ctrl   LClick   Drag  hold down the Ctrl key and Left Click and Drag to Clone an object or selected objects
 Ctrl   C  press Ctrl + C to Copy selected objects (including the ground heights, ground textures and any TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers) into a new Scrapbook
 Ctrl   D  press Ctrl + D to Unselect a selected object (or ALL objects if multiple objects have been selected)
 Ctrl   E  press Ctrl + E to open the Route Editor (to edit the route name, description, thumbnail, scale, etc)
 Ctrl   F  press Ctrl + F to open the Object Finder
 Ctrl   F1  press Ctrl + F1 to switch from Driver to Surveyor via the UDS interface
 Ctrl   F2  press Ctrl + F2 to switch from Surveyor to Driver via the UDS interface
 Ctrl   M  press Ctrl + M to open the Mini Map
 Ctrl   R  press Ctrl + R to open the Session Editor (to edit the session name, description and rules)
 Ctrl   S  press Ctrl + S to Save the current route and/or session (which ever has been edited)
 Ctrl   V  press Ctrl + V to Paste the current Scrapbook into the route at the cursor position (the Surveyor Compass Rose). The current settings in the Scrapbook Palette Filter will control which objects are pasted and how they are pasted
 Ctrl   X  press Ctrl + X to Cut and remove selected objects from the route and place them into a new Scrapbook. The ground heights, ground textures, TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers and any objects in locked layers will be copied, not cut
 Ctrl   Y  press Ctrl + Y to Redo (reverse) the last  Ctrl   Z  command
 Ctrl   Z  press Ctrl + Z to Undo previous actions
 Ctrl   Space  press Ctrl + Space to show/hide the User Interface (the Trainz Main Menu icons and all the docked palettes - undocked palettes will still be visible)
 Alt  hold down the  Alt  key and hover the tool pointer over an object to Identify it
 Alt   LClick  hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on an object to Select it in the Assets Palette and to copy some data from the object to the Tool Options Palette
 Delete  press the Delete key to Delete a selected object or objects from the route
 Tools 
 W  selects the Brush Tool S20 BrushToolIcon.png ToolsKeyboard S20.png
 E  selects the Placement Tool S20 PlacementToolIcon.png
 R  selects the Eyedropper Tool S20 DropperToolIcon.png
 S  selects the Free Move Tool S20 FreeMoveToolIcon.png
 D  selects the Fine Adjustment Tool S20 FineAdjustmentToolIcon.png
 F  selects the Marquee Tool S20 MarqueeToolIcon.png
 T  opens the Context Menu of a selected object
  Object Context Icons: ContextIconsOneRow S20.png


LinkWiki.PNG Further information on the topics mentioned in the above list can be found in Trainz Wiki Pages at:-
BlackDot10x10.png The Session Editor
BlackDot10x10.png The Route Editor
BlackDot10x10.png The UDS Interface


ToolsWork S20.png


NotePad.PNG Assets and Objects

(from the Surveyor 2.0 Overview document)

In this online documentation, the term Asset is used when discussing the items listed in Content Manager and the Assets Palette. Every asset has a KUID (unique identifier). When an asset (selected in the Assets Palette) is placed into the Trainz World, the instance of the asset is referred to as an Object. There are multiple types of object, such as Scenery, Splines, Trains, Trackside, etc.


Surveyor 2.0 vs Surveyor Classic

    Top   Next Down Bottom
Surveyor 2.0
Surveyor 2.0 (or S20) is the new Surveyor interface provided to Trainz Plus and TRS22 Platinum as an alternative to Surveyor Classic which has existed since 2002. Surveyor Classic is still available as an option in Trainz Plus and TRS22 Platinum.
Whats New
BlueDot10x10.png a single set of common tools that can be applied to ALL types of objects
BlueDot10x10.png the ability to select multiple objects of different types that can be manipulated as one with more freedom than was previously possible
BlueDot10x10.png each object has its own Context Menu that applies specific actions depending on the type of object
BlueDot10x10.png information and controls in dockable and moveable Palettes that can be hidden when not needed
BlueDot10x10.png a new Scrapbook asset to store "scenes" that can be pasted anywhere in a route, between routes and shared through the DLS
BlueDot10x10.png a new Marquee Tool that allows:-
DotPointBlueSquare.png multiple baseboards to be added, deleted and have their heights, ground texture and grid resolution changed in a single operation
DotPointBlueSquare.png objects, ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers to be moved and copied
BlueDot10x10.png HD Terrain in Trainz Plus


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

 Surveyor Classic 

2002 - 2022

Surveyor10Screen.png
DotPoint.JPG all the tools are in separate fixed Tabbed Flyouts with a different Flyout and set of tools for each type of object (scenery, track, terrain, textures, trains, etc)
DotPoint.JPG the workflow forces you to select the correct tool for the type of object and then apply it to just a single object at a time


 Surveyor 2.0 

2022 -

Surveyor20Screen.png
DotPoint.JPG there is just one set of tools that can be applied to all types of objects
DotPoint.JPG the workflow allows you to select multiple objects (that can be of different types) and then apply a selected tool or operation to them all


The Tools Palette

    Top Next Up Next Down Bottom
BlueDot10x10.png The Tools Palette is at the core of Surveyor 2.0 and takes the place of all the Tool Flyouts that have been the standard for Trainz Surveyor for many years. Some of the tools are new while others have been given a makeover and new abilities.
Tools and keymap for S20


The  Context Tool  is attached as an icon to a selected or newly placed object. The icon design will vary according to the type of object.

NotePad.PNG Notes: Palettes

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

Windows Menu
Steps: To display palettes:-
DotPoint1.JPG open the SurveyorWindowIcon.png Window Menu from the menu icons at the top of the screen
 
BulletTick.png visible palettes have ticks next to their names
BulletNoTick.png invisible (hidden) palettes have no ticks next to their names
DotPoint2.JPG if the Tools Palette, or any required palette, does not have a tick next to its name then  Left Click  on the name of the palette or on the empty BulletNoTick.png box next to its name. This will add a BulletTick.png and make the palette visible
DotPoint3.JPG make sure that the Tool Options Palette is also visible

There is a Trainz Wiki Page specifically covering the S20 Palettes at
WikiLink.PNG How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes


The Brush Tool

Skip Down   Top Next Up Next Down Bottom
S20 BrushToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  W 
The  Brush Tool  "paints" the ground heights, ground textures, effect layers and scrapbook scenes in the Trainz World

The Brush Tool has two drop down menu lists.

Brush Tools
 Brush Targets  The first drop down menu will set the "Brush Target" which is the type of brush.  Left Click  on the drop down box and on a Target to select it. The Brush 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 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. See PageLink.PNG Effect Layers below for more details
 Brush Actions  The second drop down menu will set the "Brush Action" which is how the brush works. Its options will vary with the bush target selected (see the following sections) and for some targets no options will appear meaning that the selected brush target does not have any different actions


Ground Height

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png This Brush Target raises or lowers the Ground Surface Height by using a "painting" action
This Brush Target 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.


 Brush Actions  When the  Ground Height  Target is selected, the second drop down box will give a choice of several brush actions that control how the height is adjusted.
The actions are:-
BulletTick.png Height Up
BulletTick.png Height Down
BulletTick.png Set Height
BulletTick.png Grade
BrushToolsHeightOptions S20.png
PencilTips.PNG The Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  setting controls the rate or speed at which the height will be changed as the brush moves across the terrain.
100% = fastest: 1% = slowest
Ground Height Brush Actions:
 Height Up   Height Down  raises/lowers the ground at a rate controlled by the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  setting
 Set Height  "plateaus" the ground to the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting at a rate controlled by the  Sensitivity  setting
 Grade  creates a smooth slope at the Tool Options Palette  Grade  and  Angle  settings at a rate controlled by the  Sensitivity  setting


NotePad.PNG Notes: Tool Options Palette Controls

DotPoint.JPG The active ground height brush options for each action are shown in the Tool Options Palette with a  Gold  coloured icon next to their names. Those options that have their icon greyed out will be ignored by the selected action, but they can still be edited.
DotPoint.JPG Most of the data entry boxes in the Tool Options Palette have a Popup Menu (Right Click inside the box) that can be used to collect and distribute data - see the Wiki Page WikiLink.PNG How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for more details.


 Height Up/Height Down 
Up/Down brush options
 Set Height 
Height brush options
 Grade 
Grade brush options
PencilTips.PNG On the right of each data entry box is a pair of Up/Down arrow controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the value in smaller increments

 Radius  the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below
Range:  5m and above for 5m and 10m grid resolutions
0.125m and above for HD Terrain (available in Trainz Plus only)
 Height  the brush height (metres) - see Tips: below
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 - see Notes: below
Range:  (North) to ±359°
a negative value reverses the grade direction


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Unlike Surveyor Classic, there is no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, the performance will decrease as the brush radius increases. If you are using the brush to set an entire baseboard, or many baseboards, to a specific height then the Marquee Tool would be a better choice.
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.
DotPoint.JPG The  Angle  controls the compass direction when creating a grade in the ground surface - = North, 180³ = South
Angles greater than 360° can be entered but will give the same result as the angle minus 360°. For example: 450° is exactly the same angle as 90° (450°-360°=90°)


 Identifying the Ground Height 

PencilTips.PNG You can copy the current Ground Height of any spot in the route into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Once it has been copied the height can be applied to the Ground Height Brush or to any object in the route.
To copy the Ground Height choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Using the Eyedropper option found in any brush tool
 
Steps:
DotPoint1.JPG move the mouse pointer onto the spot on the terrain
DotPoint2.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click 
This option is a good choice when there are no scenery objects (e.g. vegetation, splines, buildings, etc) over the ground being sampled by the eyedropper.
Warning: This will switch the Brush Tool from Ground Height to Ground Texture for painting with the texture or grid pattern at the location clicked
OR
Bblue.png Using the  Height  setting and the compass
 
Steps:
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click onto the spot on the terrain to move the Compass
DotPoint2.JPG Right Click inside the  Height  setting entry box
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  on the menu option
 Get Height at Compass 
This option is recommended when there are scenery objects (e.g. vegetation, splines, buildings, etc) between the ground and the eyedropper. In these cases the object name shown in the eyedropper  Tooltip  is NOT the name of a ground texture or a grid pattern.
OR
Cblue.png Using the Compass and the Info Palette
 
Steps:
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click at the spot on the terrain to move the Compass
DotPoint2.JPG open the Focus controls in the Info Palette
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  the  z  control down arrowhead icon
DotPoint4.JPG select the menu option
 Use Height for Brush 
This option involves more steps but is also recommended when there are scenery objects (e.g. vegetation, splines, buildings, etc) between the ground and the eyedropper. In these cases the object name shown in the eyedropper  Tooltip  is NOT the name of a ground texture or a grid pattern.

 "Painting" the Ground Height 

BlueDot10x10.png The ground surface is "sculptured" up, down or to a set height by using a "painting action" with the Brush Tool


Steps: To set the Ground Surface Height:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the  W  key)
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Ground Height  from the brush Target drop down list
DotPoint3.JPG select the brush Action ( Height Up ,  Height Down , etc)
DotPoint4.JPG set any brush controls (such as  Radius , Height ,  Grade ,  Angle ,  Sensitivity ) in the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint5.JPG Left Click and Drag on the terrain to change the terrain height
 
NotePad.PNG Notes:

The rate or speed at which the ground height changes is controlled by the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  setting


Gears.PNG  Sensitivity  Settings:
BlackDot10x10.png 1% for the smallest possible change with each sweep of the brush
BlackDot10x10.png 100% for the largest possible change with each sweep of the brush
Values between these two limits will give intermediate changes with each sweep of the brush over the same area


PencilTips.PNG  Shortcut  You can quickly select the Brush Tool and set its target to Ground Height to immediately start creating terrain by:-
Steps: To set the Ground Surface Height (quick steps):-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Ground Height layer in the Layers Palette. This will automatically select the Brush Tool and set its target to Ground Height.
The brush action will be set to the default or last used action (e.g. Height Up). You can then start altering the terrain with Step  4  below using the currently selected Brush Action and Tool Options Palette settings, OR you can also...
DotPoint2.JPG select a different brush Action ( Height Up ,  Height Down , etc), and/or also...
DotPoint3.JPG change any brush controls (such as  Radius , Height ,  Grade ,  Angle ,  Sensitivity ) in the Tool Options Palette, Then...
DotPoint4.JPG Left Click and Drag on the terrain to change the terrain height


 
PencilTips.PNG You can use the Marquee Tool to set a large area, an entire baseboard or several baseboards to a specific height. See PageLink.PNG Managing Baseboards for more details


NotePad.PNG Notes:

Unlike Surveyor Classic, there is no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, the performance will decrease as the brush radius increases. If you are using the brush to set the terrain of an entire baseboard, or many baseboards, to a set height then the Marquee Tool will be quicker.


BlueDot10x10.png Most objects have a height value that can be set and altered using the objects Context Menu or through the Placement, Free Move and Fine Adjustment tools (see the sections below dealing with each of these tools for more details).


Object Context Menu Ground Height Options
Once an object has been placed you can open its Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) to access a range of options and functions. The following Ground Height specific options will appear, along with other more general options, in the objects Context Menu.
 Smooth Ground Under Selected  smooths the height of the ground under the selected object to match the set height of the object. The size of the area affected will depend on which has the greater value: the width of the object OR the Tool Options Palette  Radius  setting. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the ground height will be set to match, as far as possible, the heights of each object
 Settle on Ground  sets the height of the selected objects to match the height of the ground beneath them ("drops them back to earth")
 Apply Height  sets the height of the selected object to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Where multiple objects have been selected the context object, the one with the Context Icon, will have its height set to the  Height  value and the other selected objects will have their heights adjusted up or down by the same amount


Terrain Forming Tips

PencilTips.PNG Using Splines to Set a Ground Gradient
See PageLink.PNG Add a Spline Object for more details but once you have set a spline segment to a specific gradient you can bring the terrain up or down to match the gradient beneath the spline so that it will sit smoothly on top of the ground. Use the following steps:-
DotPoint1.JPG Set the Tool Options Palette  Radius  control to the desired brush radius. The distance on each side of the spline that will be affected will increase with larger entered values. The minimum radius value will depend on the set baseboard resolution - 10m radius for 10m and 5m grids, 5m for HD grids
DotPoint2.JPG Open the spline segments Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) and select the option  Smooth Ground Under Selected 
DotPoint3.JPG If it is no longer needed you can delete the spline leaving the ground with its new gradient
NotePad.PNG You can also perform this operation with multiple spline segments (each with a different gradient if needed) using the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool


Ground Texture

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png This Brush Target paints the currently selected Ground Texture (from the Assets Palette) on the ground
This Brush Target uses the Tool Options Palette and the Assets Palette. If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


 Brush Actions  When the  Ground Texture  Target is selected, the second drop down box will be disabled - there are no brush texture actions.


NotePad.PNG Notes: Tool Options Palette Controls

DotPoint.JPG The active texture brush 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.
DotPoint.JPG Most of the data entry boxes in the Tool Options Palette have a Popup Menu (Right Click inside the box) that can be used to collect and distribute data - see the Wiki Page WikiLink.PNG How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for more details.


Texture brush options
 Radius  the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below
Range:  5m and above for 5m and 10m grid resolutions
0.125m and above for HD Terrain (available in Trainz Plus only)
 Sensitivity  texture transparency
Range:  1% = almost transparent to
  100% = solid (opaque)
 Rotation  initial rotation angle - see Notes: below
Range:  to ±359° (larger angles can be entered)
 Scale  the texture pattern scaling factor as a %
Range:  0.01% = smallest

100% = full size

>100% larger than full size
NotePad.PNG The  Height  setting has no effect on textures as they are always painted on the existing ground surface.
PencilTips.PNG On the right of each data entry box is a pair of Up/Down arrow controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the value in smaller increments


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Unlike Surveyor Classic, there is no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, the performance will decrease as the brush radius increases. If you are using the brush to paint an entire baseboard, or many baseboards, then the Marquee Tool will be quicker but it will not give the options of changing the scale and rotation while painting the texture.
DotPoint.JPG The  Rotation  controls the starting compass angle ( = North, 180° = South) 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


 Identifying a Ground Texture 

PencilTips.PNG You can identify and select an existing Ground Texture to use elsewhere in the route
Steps: To identify a Ground Texture:-
DotPoint1.JPG Hold down the  Alt  key and move the pointer onto the texture to be selected. Its name will appear in the pointer  ToolTip 
DotPoint2.JPG While holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the texture
  The texture will be selected in the Assets Palette and the Ground Texture target in the Brush Tool will be activated so you can immediately start painting with the texture using the current Tool Options Palette settings. This will also copy the Ground Height at the selected point into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting (but this value will be ignored when painting with a texture)


 Painting a Ground Texture 

Steps: To paint with a Ground Texture:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the  W  key)
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Ground Texture  from the brush Target drop down list
DotPoint3.JPG open the Ground Texture list in the Assets Palette by a  Left Click  on the GroundTextureFilter S20.png icon (the first icon in the row) and select a Ground Texture from the list. You can narrow the search by entering the name or a partial name of the texture in the Search box below the row of icons
DotPoint4.JPG set any brush controls ( Radius ,  Sensitivity ,  Rotation ,  Scale ) in the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint5.JPG Left Click and Drag on the terrain to start painting


PencilTips.PNG  Shortcut  You can quickly select the Brush Tool and set its target to Ground Texture to immediately start painting the terrain by:-
Steps: To paint with a Ground Texture (quick steps):-
DotPoint1.JPG select a Ground Texture in the Assets Palette (described in Step  3  above) OR hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on an existing texture. Both methods will automatically select the Brush Tool, set its target to Ground Texture and set the selected texture for painting
You can then start painting the terrain with Step  3  below using the current Tool Options Palette settings, OR you can also...
DotPoint2.JPG change any brush controls ( Radius ,  Sensitivity ,  Rotation ,  Scale ) in the Tool Options Palette, Then...
DotPoint3.JPG Left Click and Drag on the terrain to start painting
 
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG The intensity at which the ground texture is painted is controlled by the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  setting. This allows you to paint over an existing texture (including the Grid pattern) in a way that will let most, some or none of the original texture show through

Gears.PNG  Sensitivity  Settings:
BlackDot10x10.png 1% to make the new texture almost transparent. The level of transparency will decrease with each new brush sweep over the same area
BlackDot10x10.png 50% to make the new texture 50% or semi-transparent
BlackDot10x10.png 100% to make the new texture completely hide the original texture with a single sweep of the brush
Values between these two limits will give intermediate changes with each sweep of the brush over the same area

DotPoint.JPG Unlike Surveyor Classic, there is no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, the performance will decrease as the brush radius increases. If you are using the brush to paint an entire baseboard, or many baseboards, then the Marquee Tool will be quicker but it will not give you options for changing the brush properties when painting.


PencilTips.PNG
DotPoint.JPG You can use the Marquee Tool to paint a large area, an entire baseboard or several baseboards with a selected ground texture. See PageLink.PNG Managing Baseboards for more details
DotPoint.JPG You can set a default Ground Texture that will automatically cover every new baseboard added. See PageLink.PNG Default Baseboard Ground Texture below for more details


BlueDot10x10.png Most objects can have a Ground Texture automatically painted beneath them.


Object Context Menu Ground Texture Option
Once an object has been placed you can open its Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) to access a range of options and functions. The following Ground Texture specific options will appear, along with other more general options, in the objects Context Menu.
 Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected objects. The Tool Options Palette brush settings ( Radius  and  Sensitivity ) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out. This option is frequently used to paint a texture under selected track (or other) splines.


Texture Painting Tips

PencilTips.PNG Rotate the Brush While Painting
The texture brush can be rotated while painting to help breakup any repetition patterns that may form. These patterns can appear when a non-uniform texture (e.g. a photoimage of an actual ground surface) is used as the texture. The rotation will "randomise" the texture appearance to avoid the patterns forming. Use one of the following techniques:-
Ablue.png While painting with the texture brush periodically alter the  Rotation  setting in the Tool Options Palette by any required angle OR
Bblue.png While painting with the texture brush hold down the  [  or the  ]  key. This will continuosly rotate the brush texture in 10° increments while painting BUT it can result in the texture image looking "blurred" and losing detail. A variation of this that avoids the blurrng effect in situations where the image in the texture (e.g. rocks in a cliff face) is important is to periodically "tap" one of those keys instead of holding them down continuously
PencilTips.PNG Paint Under Splines
Once a spline object has been laid down (see PageLink.PNG Add a Spline Object for more details) it can have a ground texture painted beneath it. Use the following steps:-
DotPoint1.JPG Use either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool to select a spline segment or multiple spline segments. You can also use the Placement Tool on a single spline segment immediately after it has been added
DotPoint2.JPG In the Assets Palette select a texture
DotPoint3.JPG In the Tool Options Palette set the brush  Radius  value which will set the width of the painted area out from the centre of the spline. The smaller the radius the less "realistic" the texture painting will appear
DotPoint4.JPG Open the Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) of the selected spline segment(s)
DotPoint5.JPG Select the option  Paint Under Selected  - if you have not selected a texture in the Assets Palette then this option will not be available
PencilTips.PNG Use a Color Effect Layer to Enhance a Ground Texture (The Color Effect Layer is only available in Trainz Plus)
DotPoint1.JPG Trainz Plus select the Color Effect Layer in the Layers Palette. If none is present then you will need to add one (see PageLink.PNG Edit a Color Effect Layer for the details)
DotPoint2.JPG In the Tool Options Palette select the brush  Radius ,  Sensitivity  and the  Color  to be painted. See PageLink.PNG Color Effect Layer for the details
DotPoint3.JPG Use the brush to paint the effect over a selected area
PencilTips.PNG Identify an Existing Ground Texture and its Settings

If you need to identify a texture already in the route and duplicate its settings then use the following technique:-

DotPoint1.JPG Move the mouse pointer onto the texture used in the route
DotPoint2.JPG Hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on the texture. This will copy the  Rotation  and  Scale  settings from the placed texture into the Tool Options Palette as well as select that texture in the Assets Palette


 Default Baseboard Ground Texture 

When a new route is created or a new baseboard is added it will be covered with the ground texture for the selected Region or the default texture if no region has been set. This can be changed to a different texture (including to the standard TRS19/TRS22 grid pattern).
MainMenuSetGroundTexture.png
Steps: To disable the current default ground texture (easiest method):-
DotPoint1.JPG open the SurveyorDisplayIcon.png Surveyor Display Menu
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Ground  option
DotPoint3.JPG select the  Grid  sub-option. This will use the current grid texture.
A more complex solution is to edit an existing Region or create one of your own to add your preferred ground texture (such as the standard TRS22 grid pattern) to each new route you create and every new baseboard that you add.
NotePad.PNG Notes:

The Baseboard Ground Texture, chosen from the Surveyor Display Menu or by specifying a Region, will become the default for every new route you create and every new baseboard you add, until you change it to something else.
LinkWiki.PNG

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

How to Create a Region Asset


 HD Terrain and Ground Textures 

HD Terrain or HDT (High Definition Terrain) is only available as an option in Trainz Plus
The HD option provides a surface grid resolution in Trainz Plus down to 12.5cm (0.125m) from the standard 5m or 10m resolutions. This gives you far more realistic terrain for cuttings, embankments, ditches, drains, the track bed, etc.

However, there is a price that has to be paid for using this feature. You will be limited to a maximum of 16 different ground textures per baseboard but each baseboard can have 16 completely different ground textures. So it does not limit the total number of textures used in a route.

NotePad.PNG Notes:

This is a limitation imposed by your computer hardware and not one "plucked out of the air" by N3V to make life more difficult for route creators. All other sims/games that use HDT, or its equivalent, have the same or an even more restrictive limit (e.g. only 8 textures per baseboard equivalent)


Question.PNG What happens if you exceed the limit of 16 textures in a baseboard?
DotPoint.JPG If you have upgraded a route from 5m or 10m resolution to HD (see PageLink.PNG Upgrading a Route to HD) then Trainz Plus will replace any textures in any baseboards that are over the limit with textures already used in those baseboards. The upgrade process will give you the x and y co-ordinates of all the altered baseboards so you can check for any visible changes
DotPoint.JPG If you are adding ground textures to a HD route and paint a new texture onto a baseboard that already has 16 ground textures, then the new texture will be replaced by one that is already present in that baseboard


PencilTips.PNG For Trainz Plus subscribers there is a simple way to get around the 16 textures per baseboard limit - add a Color Effect Layer.

This layer allows different coloured tints to be painted over individual areas of the existing ground textures to alter their appearence and increase the range of colours in a baseboard.

The Color Effect Layer also works in routes that use standard 5m and 10m grid resolutions. Details can be found in the PageLink.PNG Effect Layers section below.


Scrapbook Data

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png This Brush Target paints the currently selected Scrapbook (from the Scrapbook Palette) onto the ground
BlueDot10x10.png When pasted or painted the Scrapbook can be
BlackDot10x10.png resized and rotated (to any angle)
BlackDot10x10.png filtered to select which of its assets will be used
BlackDot10x10.png set to replace or add to any assets already present
This Brush Target 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.


 Creating a Scrapbook 

A new scrapbook is created by one of two methods:-

Options:
Ablue.png use the PageLink.PNG Marquee Tool to select an area of the route containing objects. With the Marquee Tool you can use the filters in the Assets Palette to restrict the objects that will be selected for the scrapbook OR
Bblue.png use the PageLink.PNG Free Move Tool or the PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment Tool to select a group of individual objects for the scrapbook


Steps: Copy or Move the Selected Objects into the Scrapbook:-
DotPoint1.JPG if you intend to keep this scrapbook (make it permanent) then position your camera (screen) to give the best view of the seleted objects. The screen view will become the thumbnail for the scrapbook
DotPoint2.JPG then either:-
Ablue.png open the displayed Context Menu (or press the  T  key) and select either the  Copy  or  Cut  option OR
Bblue.png press either  Ctrl  +  C  (Copy) or  Ctrl  +  X  (Cut)
NotePad.PNG In both cases using the  Ctrl  +  X  or  Cut  options will usually remove the selected objects from your Trainz World
More detailed instructions on creating Scrapbooks can be found in the PageLink.PNG Marquee Tool section of this document
NotePad.PNG Scrapbooks will normally expire (self delete) after 5 days. Instructions on how to make a scrapbook permanent can be found at PageLink.PNG The Scrapbook Palette below
 
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Scrapbooks, when created, will contain:-
DotPoint.JPG Ground Heights
DotPoint.JPG Ground Textures
DotPoint.JPG TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers - if present
DotPoint.JPG Selected Objects - scenery items, splines, track, signals, etc
DotPoint.JPG But  NOT Rolling Stock (Trains) 
The ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers in the Marquee Selection Area (method Ablue.png above) or under the selected objects (method Bblue.png above) will always be added to the scrapbook. You can use the Asset Palette Filters to control which visible objects will also be added


 Pasting a Scrapbook 

To paste a scrapbook into your Trainz World:-

Steps: To Paste a Scrapbook:-
DotPoint1.JPG Move the Compass Rose to the position where the scrapbook will be placed
DotPoint2.JPG Select the required Scrapbook from the PageLink.PNG The Scrapbook Palette. Its image will be shown in the palette thumbnail
DotPoint3.JPG Set the PageLink.PNG The Scrapbook Filters to include/exclude any objects or features
DotPoint4.JPG Press the keys  Ctrl  +  V . You can also select an object, open its Context Menu and select the  Paste  option - the scrapbook will still be placed at the current position of the compass rose and it will NOT replace the selected object
NotePad.PNG The scrapbook will be pasted inside a Marquee Selection Area which can be moved and/or resized. See the PageLink.PNG Marquee Tool for more details. The Tool Options Palette controls  Scale  and  Rotation  have no effect when pasting a scrapbook
DotPoint5.JPG If you change your mind immediately after the Scrapbook has been pasted and while it is still surrounded by the Marquee Selection Area, you can remove the scrapbook objects by pressing the  Delete  key
DotPoint6.JPG To remove the Marquee Selection Area but leave the pasted scrapbook intact,  Left Click  anywhere outside the area or press the  Ctrl  +  D  keys
 
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Scrapbooks, when painted or pasted, can contain any combinations of:-
DotPoint.JPG Ground Heights
DotPoint.JPG Ground Textures
DotPoint.JPG TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers
DotPoint.JPG Scenery Objects (Meshes) - individual buildings, trees, signals, etc
DotPoint.JPG Scenery Splines - roads, track, fences, etc
You have options in PageLink.PNG The Scrapbook Filters that will control which of these data types are added to your Trainz World and how they are added.


Scrapbook Pasting Tips

PencilTips.PNG Add Variety to Pasting a Scrapbook
A single scrapbook can be pasted many times in a layout but each instance can have variations that will make it different from the others. Use the following steps:-
DotPoint1.JPG Use the PageLink.PNG Scrapbook Filters to change the elements that are placed into the route (e.g. Ground, Scenery, Textures, Splines, Effect Layers) and how they are added (None, Add, Overwrite) each time it is pasted
DotPoint2.JPG Use the 3D Anchor Frame on the Marquee Selection Area to rotate and resize the scrapbook immediately after it has been pasted


 The Brush Actions and Controls 

 Brush Actions  When the Brush Tool has been selected from the Tools Palette and the  Scrapbook Data  Target is also selected, the second drop down box will give a choice of two brush actions that control how the scrapbook is applied.
The actions are:-
BulletTick.png Scrapbook Brush
BulletTick.png Scrapbook Clone
BrushToolsScrapbookOptions S20.png
Scrapbook Brush Actions:
 Scrapbook Brush  will resize the scrapbook contents to fit the selected brush shape and size
 Scrapbook Clone  will paint the scrapbook sized according to the Tool Options Palette  Scale  setting


NotePad.PNG Notes:

 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  setting in the Tool Options Palette is ignored.
 Scrapbook Clone  will paste the scrapbook sized according to the  Scale  setting (100% = original size)
DotPoint.JPG If the brush is the same size as the scaled scrapbook then a single exact copy will be painted
DotPoint.JPG If the brush is smaller than the scaled scrapbook in 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 covers the same area as the scaled scrapbook. Further painting will clone or tile the scrapbook contents
DotPoint.JPG If the brush is larger than the scaled scrapbook in size then the contents will be cloned or tiled to fill the set brush radius
 
Stop.PNG WARNING:

Take care if setting both the  Scale  and the  Radius . Using extreme values for both, such as a very large brush radius and a very small scale value, can cause performance issues (i.e. long delays) while the program attempts to scale and clone the scrapbook contents


NotePad.PNG Notes: Tool Options Palette Controls

DotPoint.JPG The active scrapbook brush options for each action are shown in the Tool Options Palette with a  Gold  coloured icon next to their names. Those options that have their icon greyed out will be ignored by the selected action, but they can still be edited.
DotPoint.JPG Most of the data entry boxes in the Tool Options Palette have a Popup Menu (Right Click inside the box) that can be used to collect and distribute data - see the Wiki Page WikiLink.PNG How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for more details.


 Scrapbook Brush 
Brush options
 Scrapbook Clone 
Clone options
PencilTips.PNG On the right of each data entry box is a pair of Up/Down arrow controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the value in smaller increments


 Radius  the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below
Range:  5m and above for 5m and 10m grid resolutions
0.125m and above for HD Terrain (available in Trainz Plus only)
 Sensitivity  if the  Ground Height  option has been enabled in the Scrapbook Palette filter settings, then this will set the rate or speed at which the ground height will change
Range:  1% = slowest
100% = fastest
 Rotation  initial rotation angle (degrees) - see Notes: below
Range:  to ±359° (larger angles can be entered)
 Scale  the scrapbook scaling factor (Scrapbook Clone brush action only) - see Notes: below
Range:  0.01% = smallest

100% = full size

>100% larger than full size
 Shape  brush shape
Options:  BrushToolsScrapShapes S20.png  Circle  and  Square  will set the brush to the selected shape with the  Radius  setting the brush size
   Natural  will set the brush to the same shape as the Marquee that created the scrapbook, which may be rectangular. The  Radius  setting will scale the brush size
NotePad.PNG The  Height  setting has no effect on the Scrapbook. This feature is controlled by the Scrapbook Palette Filter  Ground Height  options.


 Painting with the Scrapbook Brush 

Steps: To "paint" with a Scrapbook asset:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the  W  key)
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Scrapbook Data  target from the Brush Tool first drop down menu
DotPoint3.JPG select a brush action ( Scrapbook Brush  or  Scrapbook Clone ) from the Brush Tool second drop down menu
DotPoint4.JPG select a Scrapbook asset to be painted (see PageLink.PNG The Scrapbook Palette below)
DotPoint5.JPG open the Scrapbook Filter in the Scrapbook Palette and select the features to be painted and the method used (see PageLink.PNG Scrapbook Filters below)
DotPoint6.JPG set any Brush controls (e.g.  Radius ) from the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint7.JPG  Left Click  or Left Click and Drag (depending on your brush settings) on the terrain to paint with the scrapbook asset
 
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Scrapbooks, when painted or pasted, can contain any combinations of:-
DotPoint.JPG Ground Heights
DotPoint.JPG Ground Textures
DotPoint.JPG TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers
DotPoint.JPG Scenery Objects (Meshes) - individual buildings, trees, signals, etc
DotPoint.JPG Scenery Splines - roads, track, fences, etc
You have options in PageLink.PNG The Scrapbook Filters that will control which of these data types are added to your Trainz World and how they are added.


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Unlike Surveyor Classic, there is no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, the performance will decrease as the brush radius increases
DotPoint.JPG The  Rotation  controls the starting angle for painting the scrapbook objects in increments of 1°
DotPoint.JPG The  Ground Height  options in the Scrapbook Filters controls how the terrain heights in the Scrapbook are applied. The  Height  setting in the Tool Options Palette will be ignored
DotPoint.JPG Setting extreme values for the  Scale  and the  Radius  when using the  Scrapbook Data Clone Brush  can cause performance issues (i.e. long delays) while the program attempts to scale and clone the scrapbook contents into the route


PencilTips.PNG If you have set the  Ground Height  Scrapbook Filter Option to Add or Overwrite (see PageLink.PNG Scrapbook Filters below) then the rate or speed at which the ground height changes will be controlled by the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  setting

Gears.PNG  Sensitivity  Settings:
BlackDot10x10.png 1% for the smallest possible change with each sweep of the brush
BlackDot10x10.png 100% for the largest possible change with each sweep of the brush
Values between these two limits will give intermediate changes with each sweep of the brush over the same area


Scrapbook Painting Tips

PencilTips.PNG Add Variety to Painting a Scrapbook
A single scrapbook can be reused many times in a layout but each instance can have variations that will make it different from the others. Use the following steps:-
DotPoint1.JPG Use the PageLink.PNG Scrapbook Filters to change the elements that are placed into the route (e.g. Ground, Scenery, Textures, Splines, Effect Layers) and how they are added (None, Add, Overwrite) each time it is painted
DotPoint2.JPG In the Tool Options Palette alter the  Scale  and  Rotation  settings


 The Scrapbook Palette 

BlueDot10x10.png This palette selects the scrapbook to be painted or pasted as well as performing a very limited range of management tasks


ScrapbookToolsTop S20.png
ScrapbookPinnedIcon S20.pngScrapbookUnPinnedIcon S20.png  Left Click  on the pin icon to Lock (blue pin) and Unlock (white pin) the scrapbook. Locked scrapbooks are permanent (but can still be deleted). Unlocked scrapbooks will "expire" (self delete) after 5 days
DeleteIcon S20.png  Left Click  on the delete icon to delete the current scrapbook - most scrapbooks can be deleted (see Notes: Deleting Built-in Scrapbooks below on how to deal with the exceptions to this)
NotePad.PNG Deleting a scrapbook WILL NOT delete any objects that it has painted or pasted into the route. The scrapbook simply identifies the objects, it has no control over them after they have been added to the route.
ScrapbookThumbnail S20.png The thumbnail of the currently displayed scrapbook and the one that will be painted or pasted into the route
ScrapbookCounter S20.png Identifies the currently displayed scrapbook (the first number) and the total number of stored scrapbooks (the second number)
ScrapbookLeftRight S20.png  Left Click  on the  <  or  >  to move forwards or backwards through the stored scrapbooks to select the scrapbook that will be added to the route
  The scrapbook name can be edited. Simply  Left Click  inside the name box to edit or replace the current name then  Left Click  on the image OR press the  Enter  key


NotePad.PNG Notes: Deleting Built-in Scrapbooks

Some scrapbooks are installed with Trainz and cannot be deleted. These scrapbooks have the label Prefab at the front of their names (you may have to scroll to the front of the name to see it). While they cannot be deleted they can be "disabled" so that they won't appear as an installed scrapbook. Unlocking them will not cause them to "expire" - after 5 days they will just become locked again.
Steps: To disable built-in scrapbooks
DotPoint1.JPG Open Content Manager and locate the "permanent" scrapbook or scrapbooks.
Search Tips: Name: starts with "Prefab"; Status: is Built-in; Type: is Misc
DotPoint2.JPG Highlight (select) the scrapbook assets individually or as a group
DotPoint3.JPG Open the Content menu and select the  Disable  option
You can reverse this and enable any or all of these scrapbooks at any time if you need them.


 The Scrapbook Filters 

BlueDot10x10.png The filters control which elements in the scrapbook are added to the route and how they are added.
Steps: To Open the Scrapbook Filters
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the arrowhead next to the  Filters:  label below the scrapbook image to open the scrapbook filters.


ScrapbookToolsBottom S20.png


PencilTips.PNG Sample Filter Settings:-
You can vary the appearance of the scrapbook when added to a route by painting or pasting it with different filter combinations. For example:-
 Ground Height:   None  ground height data will not be pasted and the ground heights already in the target area will be used
 Ground Texture:  Overwrite  textures present in the scrapbook will replace those already in the target area
 Meshes:  Add  scenery objects in the scrapbook will be added to those already in the target area
 Splines:  Add  scenery splines in the scrapbook will be added to those already in the target area
 Effect Layers:   None  effect layers in the scrapbook will not be pasted and any already in the target area will be used
PencilTips.PNG You can also add more variety when painting a Scrapbook by changing its Tool Options Palette  Scale  and  Rotation  settings in combination with different Filter selections (as shown above)
 Scrapbook Painting/Pasting Options 
 What Data to Transfer 
    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  TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers used in the scrapbook
 How to Transfer the Data
    None  do not paint/paste this feature
    Add  add this feature to those already present
    Overwrite  use this feature to replace those already present
For the Ground Height:-
    None  do not paint/paste the scrapbook ground heights, use the existing ground heights instead
    Absolute  use the ground heights in the scrapbook to replace the existing ground heights
    Relative  use the difference between the existing ground heights and those used in the scrapbook


Effect Layers

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png This Brush Target paints a selected Effect Layer into your Trainz World


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Effect Layers are created using the Edit Effect Layers options found in both the SurveyorEditIcon.png Surveyor Edit Menu at the top of the screen and also in the Brush Tools drop down list. They can also be loaded from .cdp files and installed from the DLS (Download Station)
DotPoint.JPG Once created Effect Layers can be saved as Presets to be used in other routes


Selecting an Existing Effect Layer

Effect layers that you have created for the current route (see PageLink.PNG Edit Effect Layers) or installed into the current route (see PageLink.PNG Loading Preset Effect Layers) will be listed in both the Layers Palette and in the Effect Layer Brush Tool target list


Ablue.png Selecting an Effect Layer from the Brush Tool:

BrushToolsLoadedEffectLayers S20.png
Step: To select an Effect Layer as the brush tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on an Effect Layer name in the Brush Target List and immediately start painting with the brush using the current Tool Options Palette settings. More details are shown below.


NotePad.PNG If no named Effect Layers are present in the Brush Target List then none have been created or loaded


Bblue.png Selecting an Effect Layer from the Layers Palette:

AssetsPaletteEffectLayers S20.png
Step: To select an Effect Layer as the brush tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on an effect layer name in the Layers Palette and immediately start painting using the current Brush Tool Options Palette settings. More details are shown below.


NotePad.PNG If no named Effect Layers are present in the Layers Palette then none have been created or loaded


Loading Preset Effect Layers

BlueDot10x10.png Preset effect layers are layers that have been created in other routes and saved into Content Manager or downloaded from the DLS
BlueDot10x10.png Preset effect layers can be added to your existing route


For instructions on saving an effect layer as a Preset, see PageLink.PNG Save a Layer as a Preset below.

Steps: To load a Preset Effect Layer into a route:-
DotPoint1.JPG Open the New Effect Layer Dialogue to create a new effect layer by a  Left Click  on the  Effect Layers   +  icon in the Layers Palette. While there are other ways of opening this dialogue, this method is the quickest LayersPalette S20 ListsClosed.png


In the New Effect Layer dialogue window...


DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click  in the  Effect Name  text box and enter a name for your new Effect Layer. You can change the effect layer name later to match the loaded Preset if you wish (see WikiLink.PNG How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for the details)
New effect layer
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  in the  Effect Type  drop down box and select the type of Effect Layer to be created -  TurfFX   Clutter   Water  or  Color . This will act as a search filter when you select the Preset to load
NotePad.PNG The Color Effect Layer is only available in Trainz Plus
DotPoint4.JPG  Left Click  on the Tick.PNG icon to create the new layer


In the Effect Layers dialogue window...

NewEffectLayerLoadPreset S20.png DotPoint5.JPG  Left Click  on the  Preset  drop down box. The Presets listed will match the Effect Type selected in Step  3  above. Some Presets are supplied built-in with your install of Trainz
DotPoint6.JPG  Left Click  on the Preset to be loaded
DotPoint7.JPG  Left Click  on the Tick.PNG icon on the bottom right of the dialogue window to load the Preset into the new effect layer


 Effect Layer Tool Options 

The Effect Layer 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.


NotePad.PNG Notes: Tool Options Palette Controls

DotPoint.JPG The active effect layer brush options for each action are shown in the Tool Options Palette with a  Gold  coloured icon next to their names. Those options that have their icon greyed out will be ignored by the selected action, but they can still be edited.
DotPoint.JPG Most of the data entry boxes in the Tool Options Palette have a Popup Menu (Right Click inside the box) that can be used to collect and distribute data - see the Wiki Page WikiLink.PNG How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for more details.


 TurfFX and Clutter 
BrushToolsEffectLayer S20.png
 Water 

BrushToolsWaterLayer S20.png

NotePad.PNG Water Effect Grade
The Water Effect Layer  Grade  and  Angle  settings are only active if the  Grade  Brush Action has been selected.
 Color 
BrushToolsColorLayer S20.png


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG The Color Effect Layer is only available in Trainz Plus
DotPoint.JPG The Water Effect Layer properties of colour and surface effect (calm, ripples, etc) are created using the Edit Effect Layer... controls - see Edit Water Layer below


PencilTips.PNG On the right of each data entry box is a pair of Up/Down arrow controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the value in smaller increments
 Radius  the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below
Range:  Will depend on the effect layer being added. See Notes: below
 Height  the water layer height (metres) as painted by the brush
Range:  -3000m to +3000m
 Sensitivity  the rate at which the Intensity (TurfFX, Clutter, Color) or Height (Water) setting changes
Range:  1% (very slowly) to
100% (very quickly)
 Intensity  effect density or coverage within the brush
Range:  1% (almost none) to
100% (maximum)
 Grade  Water Effect Layer slope gradient - Trainz Plus and TRS22PE only
Range:  0% (flat) to
100% (steep but not vertical)
 Angle  Water Effect Layer grade direction (compass degrees) - Trainz Plus and TRS22PE only
Range:  (North) to ±359°
a negative value reverses the grade direction
 Color  Color Effect Layer colour selection (RGB and Brightness values) - Trainz Plus only
Range: 
BrushToolsColorLayerPicker S20.png
 Left Click  on the coloured box next to the title Color to open the colour selector.
Set a Colour: Select a colour by either:-
DotPoint.JPG a  Left Click  on the colour in the colour picker device, OR
DotPoint.JPG enter its RGB value in Hexadecimal
Optionally: Set a brightness value for the selected colour by moving the slider up or down
Reset:  Left Click  the Reset button (the circular arrow on the bottom right) to cancel your changes and reset the colour to its default value. This default value is set using the Edit Effect Layer... - see Edit Color Effect Layer below
NotePad.PNG The  Height  setting is ignored for TurfFX, Clutter and Color effect layers because these layers will be painted at the existing ground surface height.


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Unlike Surveyor Classic, there is no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, the performance will decrease as the brush radius increases
DotPoint.JPG The minimum brush  Radius  will depend on the configuration settings (asset density, resources used, etc) of the Effect Layer that is being painted. If the  Radius  setting is below the minimum for the selected Effect Layer then the brush circle will turn red and it will not paint


 TurfFX and Clutter Effect Layers 

BlueDot10x10.png TurfFX and Clutter are Effect Layers that can quickly add vegetation and other ground "artifacts" (e.g. weeds, crops, stones, etc) over large areas
BlueDot10x10.png In a future "soon to be released" TM version of Trainz, TurfFX will be removed as a separate effect layer and become part of an updated Clutter effect layer


 Brush Actions  When a TurfFX or Clutter Effect Layer has been selected as the Target, the second drop down box will give a choice of three actions.
The actions are:-
BulletTick.png Increase
BulletTick.png Decrease
BulletTick.png Set Intensity
EffectLayerActions S20.png
PencilTips.PNG Use the Tool Options Palette  Intensity  and  Sensitivity  settings to control how the Effect Layer is applied to the terrain
TurfFX and Clutter Effect Layer Actions:
 Increase  increases the Tool Options Palette  Intensity  of the effect layer at a rate controlled by the  Sensitivity  setting, upto a maximum of 100%. Each time the brush is moved over the same area the Intensity or Density of the effect layer is increased
 Decrease  decreases the Tool Options Palette  Intensity  of the effect layer at a rate controlled by the  Sensitivity  setting. Each time the brush is moved over the same area the Intensity or Density of the effect layer is decreased
 Set Intensity  will paint the effect layer in one sweep using the full Tool Options Palette  Intensity  setting


Steps: To paint with a TurfFX or Clutter Effect Layer:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the  W  key)
DotPoint2.JPG select the <Turfx effect layer name> or the <Clutter effect layer name> from the Brush Target drop down menu. If there are no TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers listed then none have been created or installed for this route
DotPoint3.JPG select a Brush action from the second drop down list ( Increase ,  Decrease  or  Set Intensity )
DotPoint4.JPG set any required Brush settings -  Radius ,  Intensity  and  Sensitivity  - from the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint5.JPG  Left Click  or Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the selected Effect Layer.  Note: If the brush painting circle is RED then the effect layer will not paint because the brush  Radius  is too small 
PencilTips.PNG Both TurfFX and Clutter use LOD data so their visual effect will decrease the further away they are from your point of view. So there is no advantage, but there is a possible performance disadvantage, in painting these effect layers right out to the horizon
 
PencilTips.PNG You can automatically select the Brush Tool and set its target to an effect layer to immediately start painting with that layer by:-
Steps: To paint with a TurfFX or Clutter Effect Layer (quick steps):-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Effect Layer in the Layers Palette. You can then start painting (Step  4  below) with the current Tool Options Palette settings, OR
DotPoint2.JPG select the brush Action ( Increase ,  Decrease ,  Set Intensity ), AND/OR
DotPoint3.JPG set any brush controls ( Radius ,  Intensity ,  Sensitivity ) in the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint4.JPG  Left Click  or Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the selected Effect Layer.  Note: If the brush painting circle is RED then the effect layer will not paint because the brush  Radius  is too small 


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG The density or coverage of the TurfFX and Clutter ground effects within the brush area is controlled by the Tool Options Palette  Intensity  setting.

Gears.PNG  Intensity  Settings:
BlackDot10x10.png 1% to apply the effect very lightly
BlackDot10x10.png 100% to apply the effect at full density
Values between these two limits will give intermediate changes with each sweep of the brush over the same area

DotPoint.JPG The rate or speed at which the TurfFX and Clutter ground effects change when using the  Increase  or  Decrease  brush actions is controlled by the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  setting.

Gears.PNG  Sensitivity  Settings:
BlackDot10x10.png 1% to increase/decrease the application of the ground effect very slowly
BlackDot10x10.png 100% increase/decrease the application of the ground effect at the maximum possible rate
Values between these two limits will give intermediate changes with each sweep of the brush over the same area


NotePad.PNG Notes: "Floating Turf"
When painting with a TurfFX Effect Layer or a Clutter Effect Layer brush, care must be taken when near the edge of the route. Painting over the edge will create "floating" effect layer artifacts. This can occur in both Surveyor 2.0 and Surveyor Classic. The same effect will occur if an effect layer is painted over a dig-hole, such as those used at tunnel entrances.
EffectLayerHeightArtifact.png In the image on the left, a TurfFX Effect Layer brush has been used near the boundary of the route. Some of the brush has strayed over that boundary edge into the empty space beyond.

The result is a "floating" section of TurfFX or Clutter hovering "off the grid" and sometimes high above the terrain, as shown in the image. The height of the floating region will depend on the ground height, the World Origin height and other mysterious factors.

The Solution: (The Lawn Mower)

Steps: To remove "floating" TurFX and Clutter:-
DotPoint1.JPG Set the Effect Brush Tool action to  Decrease 
DotPoint2.JPG Set both the  Intensity  and  Sensitivity  settings in the Tool Options Palette to 100%
DotPoint3.JPG Using the same Effect Layer that created the problem, repaint over the floating Effect Layer areas. This will also remove some of the effect layer from the edges of the boundary baseboards.


PencilTips.PNG Prevention:
DotPoint.JPG DO NOT paint TurfFX and Clutter Effect Layers right up to the edges of boundary baseboards
DotPoint.JPG TurfFX and Clutter Layers do not detect and avoid dig-holes such as those used at tunnel entrances. Use the steps listed above to remove effect layers from dig-holes


 Water Effect Layer 

BlueDot10x10.png Most of the features of the Water Effect Layer, as described here, are only available in Trainz Plus and TRS22PE
BlueDot10x10.png The Water Effect Layer will cover the entire route and can be raised above or lowered below the ground to hide or reveal the water where required
BlueDot10x10.png In Trainz Plus and TRS22PE you can have more than one Water Effect Layer each with a different colour and/or surface effect (calm, ripples, rough)
BlueDot10x10.png The Ground Height can also be raised or lowered to hide and reveal the water layer where required


 Brush Actions  When a Water Effect Layer has been selected as the Target, the second drop down box will give a choice of five actions. These actions are identical to those found in the  Ground Height  Target plus a new action:-
The actions are:-
BulletTick.png Height Up
BulletTick.png Height Down
BulletTick.png Set Height
BulletTick.png Grade
BulletTick.png Bulk Adjust
BrushToolsWaterEffect S20.png
PencilTips.PNG Use the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity   Height   Grade  and  Angle  settings to control how the Water Effect Layer is applied
Water Effect Layer Actions:
 Height Up   Height Down  raises/lowers the water layer at a rate controlled by the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  setting
 Set Height  will "plateau" the water level to the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting at a rate controlled by the  Sensitivity  setting
 Grade  creates a smooth water slope at the Tool Options Palette  Grade  and  Angle  settings at a rate controlled by the  Sensitivity  setting - see Notes: below
 Bulk Adjust  will move the entire water layer up or down - see Notes: below


Steps: To paint with a Water Effect Layer:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the  W  key)
DotPoint2.JPG select the <water effect layer name> from the Brush Target drop down menu. If there are no Water Effect Layers listed then none have been created or installed for this route
DotPoint3.JPG select a Brush action from the second drop down list ( Height Up ,  Height Down ,  Set Height ,  Grade  or  Set Bulk Adjust )
DotPoint4.JPG set any required Brush settings -  Radius ,  Height ,  Sensitivity ,  Grade  and  Angle  - from the Tool Options Palette
NotePad.PNG The colour and surface effect (calm, ripples, rough) of a Water Effect Layer are set in its properties (see PageLink.PNG Water Layer Edit Controls below)
DotPoint5.JPG  Left Click  or Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the Effect Layer
 
PencilTips.PNG You can also set the Brush Tool for painting with a Water Effect Layer using the current Tool Options Palette settings in one step by selecting the named effect layer in the Layers Palette


NotePad.PNG Notes:

The rate or speed at which the water layer height changes is controlled by the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  setting


Gears.PNG  Sensitivity  Settings:
BlackDot10x10.png 1% for the smallest possible change with each sweep of the brush
BlackDot10x10.png 100% for the largest possible change with each sweep of the brush
Values between these two limits will give intermediate changes with each sweep of the brush over the same area


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG It is NOT recommended that you use both Water Effect Layers and the original Legacy Water in the same route. Use one or the other but, where possible, avoid using both.
DotPoint.JPG The  Grade  setting is the 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 (e.g. a waterfall) would have an infinite grade which is currently impossible in Surveyor.
DotPoint.JPG The  Bulk Adjust  action is not fully intuitive and will require some experimentation. It will raise and lower the water effect layer in the baseboard where the Left Click and Drag was executed. Areas within that baseboard where the water effect layer had previously been set to a different height will not be affected until the water level reaches the same height. The Water Effect Layer in surrounding baseboards will also start to move when the level reaches their current heights.


Water Effect Layer Example

EffectLayerAddWaterLayer S20.png A water layer has been lifted above the terrain by using the:-
DotPoint.JPG Brush Tool target set to the Water Layer
DotPoint.JPG Brush Action set to  Set Height 
and the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint.JPG  Height  set to a few metres above the terrain height
The brush painting action is then used to paint the water at the set height.


Water Effect Layer Tips

PencilTips.PNG To create a flat water layer at a set height use the following technique:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the  Set Height  brush action rather than  Height Up/Height Down  actions
DotPoint2.JPG Set the Tool Options Palette  Height  to the required value
DotPoint3.JPG Set the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  to 100%
PencilTips.PNG To create a sloping water layer use the following technique:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the  Grade  brush action
DotPoint2.JPG Set the Tool Options Palette  Grade  to the required slope value


 Color Effect Layer (Trainz Plus Only) 

BlueDot10x10.png The Color Effect Layer is only available to Trainz Plus subscribers
BlueDot10x10.png The Color Effect Layer adds a "tinting effect" to selected areas of the route
BlueDot10x10.png Only one Color Effect Layer can be added to a route but it can have different colours in different parts of the route


 Brush Actions  When the Color Effect Layer has been selected as the Brush Target, the second drop down box will be blank as there are no brush actions for this effect layer.


PencilTips.PNG You can think of the Color Effect Layer as a transparent "skin" that covers the ground texture throughout the layout. You can add different colours (or "tints") to the skin at different places to alter the appearance of the ground texture below.


BrushToolsColorLayer S20.png
Steps: To paint with a Color Effect Layer:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the  W  key)
DotPoint2.JPG select the <color effect layer name> from the Brush Target drop down menu. If there are no Color Effect Layers listed then none have been created or installed for this route
DotPoint3.JPG set any required Brush settings -  Radius ,  Sensitivity  and  Color  - from the Tool Options Palette
NotePad.PNG The  Color  setting will open the color picker to select the colour to be painted. See PageLink.PNG Effect Layer Tool Options above.
DotPoint4.JPG  Left Click  or Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint the Effect Layer with the selected colour


PencilTips.PNG You can also set the Brush Tool for painting with the Color Effect Layer using the current Tool Options Palette settings in one step by selecting the named effect layer in the Layers Palette
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG The rate or speed at which the colour changes is controlled by the Tool Options Palette  Sensitivity  setting

Gears.PNG  Sensitivity  Settings:
BlackDot10x10.png 1% for the smallest possible change with each sweep of the brush
BlackDot10x10.png 100% for the largest possible change with each sweep of the brush
Values between these two limits will give intermediate changes with each sweep of the brush over the same area

DotPoint.JPG Applying a Color Effect Layer will only affect the appearance (colours) of the ground textures in the painted area. It will not affect the appearance of any objects placed on the ground in that area


No color effect layer applied Color effect layer applied
ColorEffectLayerNoTint.png ColorEffectLayerTint.png
Cricket pitch scene before and after applying a color effect layer that gives the impression of "wear and tear" around the pitch area


Edit Effect Layers...

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
When this Brush Target is selected, the Edit Effect Layer dialogue box will appear. This is the same as selecting  Edit Effect Layers ...  from the SurveyorEditIcon.png Surveyor Edit Menu.


 Brush Actions  When the  Edit Effect Layers...  Target is selected, the second drop down box will be disabled - there are no actions for this brush target.


Open effect layers Option Ablue.png Create a New Effect Layer
If no Effect Layers are present then you can create a new one
New effect layer
Steps: To create your first effect layer:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  in the  Effect Name  text box and enter a name for your new Effect Layer
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click  on the  Effect Type  drop down box and select the type of Effect Layer to be created -  TurfFX   Clutter   Water  or  Color 
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  on the Tick.PNG icon
You will then be presented with Option Bblue.png as shown below. You will probably need to edit your new Effect Layer
Option Bblue.png Edit an Existing Effect Layer
If Effect Layers are present (including the one you just created in Option Ablue.png above) then select an Effect Layer to edit, delete or choose to create another new one
Edit effect layers
 Preset:  this drop down box will list all the Preset Effect Layers that have been loaded into Content Manager. Select a Preset to load it into the route
SavePresetIcon.png Save as a Preset - this icon will save the Effect Layer as a Preset. See PageLink.PNG Save a Layer as a Preset below.
EditSwitchIcon.png Edit Effect Layer - this icon will open and close the editing dialogue area that allows you to alter the appearance and properties of your selected Effect Layer.
Edit with  CAUTION 
DotPoint.JPG to create a new effect layer  Left Click  on the PlusIcon.png icon - then follow the steps in Option Ablue.png above
DotPoint.JPG to select an existing layer to edit, either select its name from the Layer drop down box OR  Left Click  on the PickerIcon.png icon and select the Effect Layer from the Trainz World
DotPoint.JPG to delete an effect layer from the route first select it (as described above) and then  Left Click  on the DeleteIcon.png icon


PencilTips.PNG Effect Layers are created for each route. You can select and edit a previously saved Effect Layer (called a Preset) rather than having to recreate the entire effect each time.


When you have finished creating or editing an Effect Layer click either the:-
Tick.PNG icon to accept your changes OR Cross.PNG icon to reject your changes


Save a Layer as a Preset

BlueDot10x10.png A Preset is an edited or created effect layer that has been saved so that it can be reused in other routes
Once an effect layer has been created or edited, it can be saved and will appear as a new asset in Content Manager. It can be loaded into other routes (see PageLink.PNG Loading Preset Effect Layers above), saved as a .cdp file and uploaded to the DLS.
Edit effect layers
Steps: To save an effect layer as a Preset:-
DotPoint1.JPG Open the Effect Layers window and select the effect layer to be saved
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click  on the SavePresetIcon.png icon. The effect layer will be saved using the name you entered for the layer (Grass Short Dry in the example shown on the left)
NotePad.PNG Notes:

A Preset can be deleted from the current route ( Left Click  on the DeleteIcon.png icon) but it will remain as a saved asset in Content Manager and can be reloaded if needed. To permanently delete a preset it must be deleted using Content Manager


 TurfFX Layer Edit Controls 

BlueDot10x10.png Some features of the TurfFX Effect Layer are only available in Trainz Plus and TRS22PE


EditEffectLayerTurfFX S20.png
Stop.PNG WARNING:
Always edit these values with caution


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Many of the entered values will alter the appearance of the asset. Features such as the ground coverage (density) of the plants, their heights, stem and leaf thickness, density of seed heads, etc, etc
DotPoint.JPG Some features are only available in Trainz Plus and TRS22PE.


LinkWiki.PNG

A detailed (but incomplete) description of the TurfFX Effect Layer controls can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-

TurfFX_Effect_Layer


PencilTips.PNG The best way to learn how to create and edit an effect layer is to set up a single baseboard and experiment with the various options and controls. If your experiments create an effect layer that you like then save it as a Preset so that it can be used in another route.


 Clutter Layer Edit Controls 

BlueDot10x10.png Some features of the Clutter Effect Layer are only available in Trainz Plus and TRS22PE


EditEffectLayerClutter S20.png
Stop.PNG WARNING:
Always edit these values with caution


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Each added Mesh Asset (e.g. plant asset or rock asset) will increase the resources used by this layer and that may have an effect on performance.
DotPoint.JPG The sliders next to each Mesh Asset control the density (frequency) of that asset in the layer.
Extreme Left not displayed at all. This will add a Delete icon to the end of the slider which will allow that asset to be removed from the layer
Extreme Right displayed with maximum coverage
Intermediate positions along a slider will give effects between these two extremes
DotPoint.JPG Some of the features shown are only available in Trainz Plus and TRS22PE


LinkWiki.PNG

A detailed description of the Clutter Effect Layer controls can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-

Clutter_Effect_Layer


PencilTips.PNG The best way to learn how to create and edit an effect layer is to set up a single baseboard and experiment with the various options and controls. If your experiments create an effect layer that you like then save it as a Preset so that it can be used in another route


 Water Layer Edit Controls 

BlueDot10x10.png The Water Effect Layer has been introduced mainly for Surveyor 2.0 although an older and more restricted version is available in TRS19 SP4


In Surveyor 2.0 you can have more than one Water Effect Layer. Each can have a different combination of water colour and surface effects (calm, ripples, rough). Each can be raised above the ground height to present a different water surface in different locations.


EditEffectLayerWater S20.png


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG The  Default Value  control sets the initial height or altitude in metres of the entire water effect layer. This is initially set to 0m but you can change this to any positive (above) or negative (below) value BUT this must be set when the layer is created, not edited afterwards when it will have no effect
DotPoint.JPG The  Constant Value  controls set the colour of the entire water effect layer. Enter the RGB colour values (0.000 to 1.000) for the required colour
Stop.PNG WARNING:
Always edit these values with caution


LinkWiki.PNG

The Trainz Wiki has an old (TRS19) and very incomplete description of the Water Effect Layer controls at:-

Water_Effect_Layer


PencilTips.PNG The best way to learn how to create and edit an effect layer is to set up a single baseboard and experiment with the various options and controls. If your experiments create an effect layer that you like then save it as a Preset so that it can be used in another route.


 Color Layer Edit Controls (Trainz Plus Only) 

BlueDot10x10.png The Color Effect Layer is only available to Trainz Plus subscribers


You can only have one Color Effect Layer but through the Tool Options Palette it can be given different colours in different locations.


EditEffectLayerColor S20.png


NotePad.PNG Notes:

The  Default Value  RGB colours will set the initial colour used and the colour that will be set if the Reset button is clicked in the Tool Options Palette while painting a colour. Enter the RGB colour values (0.000 to 1.000) for the required colour
Stop.PNG WARNING:
Always edit these values with caution


LinkWiki.PNG

A more detailed description of the Color Effect Layer controls can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-

Color_effect_layer


PencilTips.PNG The best way to learn how to create and edit an effect layer is to set up a single baseboard and experiment with the various options and controls. If your experiments create an effect layer that you like then save it as a Preset so that it can be used in another route.


The Placement Tool

Skip Down Skip Up Top Next Up Next Down Bottom
S20 PlacementToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  E 
The  Placement Tool  adds objects to a Trainz World
This tool uses the Tool Options Palette and the Assets Palette. If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


Placement Tools
 Tool Targets  The Placement Tool has no Target options so it has no drop down menu list
DotPoint.JPG When selected, this tool has a distinctive pointer icon which makes it easy to identify that the Placement Tool is active PlacementToolPointer S20.png
DotPoint.JPG Selecting an asset in the Assets Palette or an effect layer in the Layers Palette will automatically activate the Placement Tool
 Tool Actions  The Placement Tool has no Action options so it has no drop down menu list


PencilTips.PNG More Placement Options
After an object has been placed in a route its position and/or height can be changed by choosing one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png using the PageLink.PNG Free Move Tool OR
Bblue.png using the PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment Tool OR
Cblue.png editing its  x   y   z  settings in PageLink.PNG The Info Palette OR
Dblue.png selecting the  Apply Height  option in its Context Menu


Placement: Setting an Objects Name and Layer

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
Once an object has been placed into the Trainz World using the Placement Tool it can be given an optional name and, if needed, moved to a different layer.

Setting an Objects Name:

BlueDot10x10.png Object names are optional but for some objects they are essential for the operation of a session
You can give any object in your route an identifying name. In some cases a name is vital for AI and session operations, in other cases it will be needed as a display feature - for example: to be shown on a station nameboard. A name also makes it easier to search for a particular object using the Finder Tool ( Ctrl  +  F  keys). You must have an object selected before it can be named


If the Info Palette is not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


InfoPaletteObjectName S20.png
Steps: To name (or rename) a selected object:-
 Note:  This must be performed immediately after the object has been placed while it is still highlighted (selected). If the object is not highlighted then select it with the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool.
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  inside the Name text entry box in the Info Palette
DotPoint2.JPG Enter a name
DotPoint3.JPG Press the  Enter  key


ObjectsUsingSameName.png
There is no ban on two or more objects using the same name


In the image shown on the left there are 4 objects all named Old Orroroo Rd.

This will not cause any problems for scenery objects apart from finding the exact one you want with the Finder Tool ( Ctrl  +  F  keys).

NotePad.PNG Notes:

However, duplicated names will cause problems for Industries (including passenger enabled stations), Locomotives, Track Marks, Triggers, Switches, Signals, etc that have to be identified to control the operation of a session.
These objects must have unique names


Setting an Objects Layer:

BlueDot10x10.png All objects in the Trainz World are in layers. You can set and change the layers where objects are placed
An object will always be placed in the currently set Active Layer. The active layer can be changed before the object has been added and objects can be moved to different layers at any time.
If the Layers Palette and the Info Palette are not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


LayersPalette S20 ActiveLayer3.png
The Active Layer (shown left named route-layer PQ) is indicated by a light grey "highlight" in the list and its name will appear in the Layers Palette title.  This is the layer where all objects added by the Placement Tool and the Scrapbook will be placed 


Steps: To set the Active Layer:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the layer name in the Layers Palette. That layer is now the Active Layer where all objects placed in the Route or Session will be added. You can change the Active Layer at any time.
NotePad.PNG Changing the Active Layer will not change the assigned layers of any existing objects. It merely sets the default layer that will be used for new added objects


NotePad.PNG The Ground Height, Ground Texture and Effect Layers are special. They cannot be set as the Active Layer and scenery objects and splines cannot be moved into them.


BlueDot10x10.png After an object has been placed into a layer in the Trainz World it can be moved to a different layer


Steps: To move a placed object to another layer:-
InfoLayerSetNew.png
If an object is still selected (highlighted) by the Placement Tool then you can change its assigned layer as often as you like. If it is not selected then you must first select it using either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool.
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the Layer arrowhead icon (circled in red in the image left) in the Info Palette. This will open up the layer controls for the selected object
DotPoint2.JPG the drop down menu box labelled Layer shows the currently assigned layer for that object.  Left Click  on the Up/Down arrows to open the list of all available layers.
DotPoint3.JPG select the destination layer from the list. The object will then be moved to the selected layer - you will be given a warning if the move has failed (usually because the objects layer is locked)


NotePad.PNG Also see:-
PageLink.PNG Assigning Objects to a Different Layer for more details on the Layer Controls in the Info Palette
WikiLink.PNG How to Use Layers for detailed information on Layers


Placement: Scenery Mesh Objects

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    

 Placement: Add a Scenery Mesh Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Individual "non-spline" scenery objects that are not attached to track are often referred to in Trainz terminology as Scenery Mesh Objects.
Steps: To add a Scenery Mesh Object the first step is to identify the exact asset you want to add. Steps DotPoint1.JPG, DotPoint2.JPG and DotPoint3.JPG are common to placing ALL types of objects but the selection of the object in step DotPoint1.JPG will change for different types of objects.


DotPoint1.JPG In the Assets Palette choose one of the following:-

Options:
 Left Click  on an asset selection icon

Filter Icons

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

Filter List
Then select Scenery Objects
Scenery Objects

OR
PencilTips.PNG  Shortcut 
Steps: If you already have the same object placed in your route then:-
DotPoint1RedC.png move the tool pointer over the object to be selected and hold down the  Alt  key. The object name will appear in a  ToolTip  attached to the pointer
DotPoint2RedC.png while holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the object to identify it in the Assets Palette and automatically select it for placement with the Placement Tool. Release the key
Jump to Step DotPoint4.JPG below (for a Scenery Mesh Object) or to Step DotPoint4.JPG in one of the following sections (for a different type of object).
DotPoint2.JPG Optional: 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 This will list all the Scenery Objects containing the text "barn" in their name or description.
Filtered list DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  on the required item in the list.

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

PencilTips.PNG
If you are not certain that a selected asset is the right one then try the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Double Left Click on the name in the Asset List to bring up its image and description, OR
Bblue.png view its rotating and resizeable 3D image in the Preview Palette, OR
Cblue.png switch the asset list to Thumbnail View ( Left Click  the AssetsPaletteListToggleViewIcon S20.png icon). In this view the palette is best used undocked and enlarged - see the Wiki Page at WikiLink.PNG How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for instructions on undocking and enlarging palettes.


NotePad.PNG Notes:

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


DotPoint4.JPG The final step is to place the selected object into the route.


Steps:
DotPoint1RedC.png if the Placement Tool is not selected then  Left Click  on its Tools Palette icon S20 PlacementToolIcon.png or press the  E  key
DotPoint2RedC.png  Left 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  Left 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


 Placement: Move a Scenery Mesh Object 

Warning:
Stop.PNG To move a scenery mesh object  DO NOT  click on it with the Placement Tool as this will just add another object


PencilTips.PNG To move scenery mesh objects you must switch to either the PageLink.PNG The Free Move Tool OR the PageLink.PNG The Fine Ajustment Tool


Track Objects and Rolling Stock Objects are exceptions and they can be moved using the Placement Tool but only immediately after being placed in the Trainz World - see the relevant sections below for more details.


 Placement: Delete a Scenery Mesh Object 

To delete a scenery mesh object (or any object) that has just been added by the Placement Tool and is still highlighted, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png press the  Delete  key, OR
Bblue.png open its Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) and select the option  Delete 
NotePad.PNG If the object is not highlighted then you must first switch to either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Ajustment Tool, select the object and then choose one of the above options


 Placement: Set the Height of a Scenery Mesh Object 

BlueDot10x10.png An object that has just been added to a route using the Placement Tool can have its height adjusted immediately after placement
BlueDot10x10.png or it can be adjusted at a later time using the Free Move or Fine Adjustment Tools


Copying or Checking an Objects Height

PencilTips.PNG You can copy the height of a selected scenery mesh object (e.g. a house) into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting while the Placement Tool is still active. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object.
Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the  Height  setting:-
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click in the  Height  setting in the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Get Height from Selection  option
 
You can check the height of any selected object or endpoint using the Info Palette. The height is the last value in the Pos: (Position) data set.
InfoPaletteShowHeight S20.png


Setting an Objects Height
In Surveyor 2.0 scenery mesh objects can be given a height that can place them above or below the ground level.

PlacementMeshHeight0 S20.png PlacementMeshHeight3 S20.png
To set the height of a selected scenery mesh object, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting, enter a value followed by the  Enter  key OR
Bblue.png in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting, enter a value then Right Click and select  Set Height to Selection  OR
Cblue.png from the objects Context Menu select the  Apply Height  option to apply an existing height setting, OR
Dblue.png in the Info Palette enter a value in the objects  z  (height) setting or Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).
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.


 Placement: Scenery Mesh Object Context Menu 

Scenery Mesh Object Context Menu Options

Once a scenery mesh object has been placed you can open its Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) to access a range of options and functions. The following Scenery Mesh Object specific options will appear, along with other more general options, in the objects Context Menu.


 Apply Height  sets the height of the selected objects to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting
 Reset Object Rotation  resets the rotation angle of the selected objects to their default values
 Randomise Object Rotation  applies a random rotation angle to each selected object around its vertical axis
See PageLink.PNG Free Move: Scenery Mesh Object Context Menu for the full list of Context Menu options for Scenery Mesh Objects.


Placement: Spline Objects (Including Track)

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    

 Placement: Add a Spline Object 

BlueDot10x10.png 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.


Steps: Start the process by identifying and selecting the exact track or scenery spline asset that you need from the Assets Palette

DotPoint1.JPG In the Assets Palette choose one of the following:-

Options:
Select from the Assets Palette icons:-
ScenerySplineFilter S20.png spline scenery assets OR TrackSplineFilter S20.png track spline assets
OR
Select from the Assets Palette drop down list:-
 Scenery Splines  OR  Track 


Select the spline asset to be added using Steps DotPoint2.JPG and DotPoint3.JPG, or the PencilTips.PNG  Shortcut , as described in PageLink.PNG Placement: Scenery Mesh Objects above.
Then continue as shown below:-
PlacementTrack1 S20.png DotPoint4.JPG  Left Click  on the spot where the spline will start. This will place the start or first endpoint of the spline.
PencilTips.PNG If the spline starting point is on another spline and you do not want the two splines to be joined then hold down the  Shift  key when you  Left Click 
DotPoint5.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.
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 Palette  Height  setting. However, if there is a % value in the  Grade  setting then the spline will be laid down with that gradient starting from the terrain height - to avoid this and lay the spline at the terrain height delete any value in the  Grade  setting.
PlacementTrack2 S20.png DotPoint6.JPG When you have the tool pointer in the final position for the first spline segment,  Left Click  again. This will anchor the second spline endpoint. The spline between the two endpoints is the first spline segment.
PencilTips.PNG If the spline end point is on another spline and you do not want the two splines to be joined then hold down the  Shift  key when you  Left Click 

The spline segment will now have three Context Icons, one for each endpoint (SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png) and one for the spline segment (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.png or TrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png depending on the type of spline).

NotePad.PNG Different context menu options are provided depending on whether you click on the icon for an endpoint or a segment. See PageLink.PNG Free Move: Spline Object Context Menus for more details
PlacementTrack3 S20.png DotPoint7.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.
NotePad.PNG Notes: Curves for Trainz Geekz

Splines and track splines are created and stored using Bezier Curves, a mathematical formula commonly used for curves in computer graphics. Each spline segment, curved or straight, is described using just 4 points regardless of its length and complexity. This gives significant savings in storage and processing. Unfortunately, real world curves are rarely described by simple Bezier Curves. This can sometimes create difficulties when modelling curves from the real world so approximations often have to be used in the Trainz World.
PlacementTrack4 S20.png DotPoint8.JPG When you have the tool pointer in the final position for the second spline segment,  Left Click  again. This will anchor the third spline endpoint and the Context Icons will move to the new segment.
NotePad.PNG Notes: Adding a Junction

To add a junction to a spline segment  Left Click  on it with the Placement Tool at the point where you want to insert the junction, this does not have to be an endpoint, then move the pointer out from the junction. See PageLink.PNG Add a Spline Junction below
Repeat Steps DotPoint7.JPG and DotPoint8.JPG above to continue laying the spline.


Spine Laying Tips

PencilTips.PNG Starting/Ending Disconnected Splines On Other Splines
BlueDot10x10.png If you start or end a spline segment on another identical or compatible spline it will form a junction (see PageLink.PNG Add a Spline Junction below) or, if close enough, it will attach itself to a nearby endpoint on that spline. This is perfect if that is what you want but it is an annoyance if it is not what you want.
BlueDot10x10.png If you start or end a spline segment on an incompatible spline (e.g. placing a ruler spline endpoint on a road spline) you will receive a warning message such as  Incompatible Spline  and you will not be able to add the segment.

To prevent a junction/join forming or a segment being rejected, use the following:-

DotPoint.JPG Hold down the  Shift  key when performing the  Left Click  (a  Shift  +  Left Click ) on the second spline. If starting a spline once you have clicked draw the new spline out as you normally would
 
PencilTips.PNG Lay a Spline that Follows the Ground Terrain

Normally splines will be laid down so that they follow the shape of the ground terrain. Occasionally they may be laid down at a set gradient that will ignore the shape of the ground terrain between the two endpoints. This can happen if you have used the Eyedropper Tool to select an existing spline object - the eyedropper will copy some of the features of the selected spline (such as its gradient) into the Tool Options Palette. If you want the spline to follow the ground terrain, not a set gradient, then use the following:-

DotPoint.JPG Check the  Grade  setting in the Tool Options Palette. If it is showing a % value (e.g. 0% which means "flat") then highlight the value and delete it. It should now show the  -  character (which means "no gradient will be applied")


 Placement: Move a Spline Object 

Warning:
Stop.PNG To move a spline object  DO NOT  click on it with the Placement Tool as this will just add a junction


PencilTips.PNG To move spline objects you must switch to either the PageLink.PNG The Free Move Tool OR the PageLink.PNG The Fine Ajustment Tool


Steps: To move a spline segment
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Free Move Tool (or press the  S  key) or the Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the  D  key)
To select multiple spline segments use  Shift  +  Left Click  on each segment
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click and Drag  the segment(s) in the required direction
NotePad.PNG Note: always drag on a segment not on an endpoint otherwise only the endpoint will be moved
For more information see the sections PageLink.PNG Free Move: Spline Objects or PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment: Spline Objects
 
Steps: To move a spline endpoint
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Free Move Tool (or press the  S  key) or the Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the  D  key)
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click and Drag  the endpoint in the required direction
For more information see the sections PageLink.PNG Free Move: Spline Objects or PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment: Spline Objects


 Placement: Delete a Spline Object 

To delete a spline object (or any object) that has just been added by the Placement Tool and is still highlighted, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png press the  Delete  key, OR
Bblue.png open its Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) and select the option  Delete 
NotePad.PNG If the object is not highlighted then you must first switch to either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Ajustment Tool, select the object and then choose one of the above options


 Placement: Add a Spline Junction 

BlueDot10x10.png A junction is formed when three spline segments are joined at an endpoint. Junctions can be formed using non identical but compatible spline objects, such as different types of track splines.


SplineJunction S20.png
Steps: To add a junction to a spline object:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the spline object to be used for the junction. The easiest method is hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on an existing spline object that you want to use. This will also select the Placement Tool in Step  2  below so you can skip to Step  3 
DotPoint2.JPG Select the Placement Tool from the Tools Palette
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  on the spline at the spot where the junction is to be created. This can be on an existing endpoint or between two endpoints where a new endpoint will be inserted
NotePad.PNG All spline junctions will be shown with a red dot (DotPoint.JPG). The only exception is for procedural track junctions where a red dot indicates a poorly formed junction while a black dot indicates a correctly formed junction. See PageLink.PNG Add a Track Junction below for more details
DotPoint4.JPG move the mouse pointer out from the junction to where the next endpoint of the spline branch will be placed and  Left Click 


Steps: To remove a junction but keep all its spline segments:-
DotPoint1.JPG open the junction endpoint Context Menu by a  Left Click  on its Context Icon SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Separate Splines  menu option (this will separate ALL the spline segments that meet at that endpoint)
NotePad.PNG
DotPoint.JPG A junction can be removed by deleting any spline segment that connects to it
DotPoint.JPG A junction endpoint can be moved by using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool


 Placement: Add a Track Junction 

BlueDot10x10.png A track junction is formed using track splines in the same way as described above but track junctions have additional features


PlacementTrackJunction S20.png
When a junction is created using Track Spline Objects, a junction switch will be automatically added.
DotPoint.JPG the switch will be the one specified in the Region listed in the Route Properties. The region and its switch can be changed by opening the SurveyorEditIcon.png Surveyor Edit Menu and selecting  Edit Route... . If no region has been specified then a default switch (as shown left) will be used
DotPoint.JPG use the PageLink.PNG Free Move Tool or the PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment Tool to move or delete the switch and to open its Context Menu for editing


LinkWiki.PNG

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

How to Create a Region Asset


NotePad.PNG Using Procedural Tracks
If the track object used is a Procedural Track and the junction is formed with another Procedural Track then the junction endpoint dot will be coloured:-
DotPoint.JPG RED (as shown above) if the junction exceeds the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction. This will not stop the junction from working but it will not display the special features only found in Procedural Tracks, OR
DotPointBlack.JPG BLACK if the junction is within the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction and it will display all the Procedural Track special features
A procedural track junction can be changed from red to black by adjusting the height and/or position (depending on the exact cause of the problem) of the junction endpoint and the endpoints on either side of the junction. See the Wiki Page WikiLink.PNG How to Use Procedural Track for more details
A junction between two non-procedural tracks and between a procedural track and a non-procedural track will always have a red endpoint dot


 Placement: Set a Spline Height 

Copying a Spline Objects Height

PencilTips.PNG You can copy the height of a spline segment into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object. Choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Use the Eyedropper to copy the height (and gradient) of a spline segment
Steps: To copy the Height of a spline segment:-
DotPoint1.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment
DotPoint2.JPG while holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the spline segment
NotePad.PNG
DotPoint.JPG If the segment has a slope then the height at the point clicked with the eyedropper will be copied into the  Height  setting and the spline gradient will be copied into the  Grade  setting.
DotPoint.JPG This will also select the clicked object in the Assets Palette and it will become the next object added by a  Left Click  in your Trainz World
  OR
Bblue.png Use the  Height  setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Height of the currently active (just placed) spline segment:-
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting box
DotPoint2.JPG Select the  Get Height from Selection  option
NotePad.PNG If the spline segment has a slope then the height at its midpoint will be used


Setting a Spline Objects Height

To set the height of a selected spline (including track) or endpoint, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then press the  Enter  key, OR
Bblue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then Right Click in the setting box and select the  Set Height to Selection  option, OR
Cblue.png from the objects Context Menu ( Left Click  on the objects Context Icon or press the  T  key) select the  Apply Height  option, OR
Dblue.png in the Info Palette enter a value in the objects  z  (height) setting or Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).


 Placement: Set a Spline Gradient 

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 a cliff face, would have an infinite grade (cliff height divided by 0) which is currently impossible in Surveyor.


Copying a Spline Objects Gradient

PencilTips.PNG You can copy the grade of a spline segment into the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object. Choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Use the Eyedropper to copy the grade of any spline segment
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment:-
DotPoint1.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment
DotPoint2.JPG while holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the spline segment
NotePad.PNG This will also change the asset selected in the Assets Palette to the object clicked and it will become the next object added by a  Left Click  with the Placement Tool
This will also copy the height of the segment at the point it was clicked into the  Height  setting
  OR
Bblue.png Use the  Grade  setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Grade of the currently active (just placed) spline segment:-
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting box
DotPoint2.JPG Select the  Get Grade from Selection  option


Setting a Spline Objects Gradient

To set the gradient of a selected spline segment (including track) after it has been laid by the Placement Tool, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then press the  Enter  key. This works even if the  Grade  icon is not coloured  Gold . OR
Bblue.png select the  Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint  option from the Context Menu for the segment endpoint (not the segment context icon) -  Left Click  on the endpoint Context Icon SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png to apply the existing grade value. The endpoint that has been selected will be the starting point of the grade.
PencilTips.PNG You can lay a spline object without any applied gradient so that it will follow the existing terrain height. Simply delete its  Grade  value so it resets to the default  -  character


Adding Spline Segments at a Set Gradient

To set and use the gradient of a spline object (including track) before it has been laid by the Placement Tool so that all the spline segments will be added with the set gradient in place, until it is changed or cancelled, then:-
Steps: To lay a spline sequence with a preset gradient:-
DotPoint1.JPG in the Assets Palette  Left Click  on the spline asset to be added
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then press the  Enter  key. This works even if the  Grade  icon is not coloured  Gold 
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  in the Surveyor World and draw out each spline segment as normal. Each segment will have the height of its second endpoint increased (or reduced for a negative grade) by an amount controlled by the  Grade  setting
PencilTips.PNG You can cancel or change the gradient at any time. The change will only affect any selected spline segment and any additional segments that are added after the change. Simply delete its  Grade  value so it resets to the default  -  or enter a new value


 Placement: Set a Track Condition 

PlacementSplineTools S20.png

The Tool Options Palette has a Condition setting that only applies to track spline segments. This can be set for a segment that has just been added and is still highlighted.

 Condition  this applies to Track Spline objects and sets the track condition (or "ride comfort") for each segment
Range:  1% (terrible track condition) to

50% (average track condition - the default setting) to
100% (perfect track condition)


PencilTips.PNG If the track segment is not highlighted you must switch to the Free Move Tool or the Fine Ajustment Tool and then select the segment or multiple segments.


Steps: To set a track condition:-
DotPoint1.JPG Enter a value from 1 to 100 in the Tool Options Palette  Condition  setting
DotPoint2.JPG Press the  Enter  key


 Placement: Spline Object Context Menu 

Spline Object Context Menu Options

Once a spline segment has been placed you can open its Context Menus. It has separate menus and menu icons:-

DotPoint.JPG SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.png or TrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png (depending on the type of spline) for the spline segment, and
DotPoint.JPG SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png for the endpoints


 Left Click  on one of the icons to open its menu or press the  T  key to open the menu for the spline segment. The following Spline Object specific options will appear, along with other more general options, in the Context Menu.


 Straighten Spline  forces a straight line (as far as possible) between the endpoints of a single segment. This option will be Tick.PNG 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 two spline segments into two separate (independent) splines at the selected endpoint
 Merge Splines  removes the selected endpoint between two segments and merges the segments into one. Two segments can also be merged by deleting a selected 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
See PageLink.PNG Free Move: Spline Object Context Menus for the full list of Context Menu options for Spline Objects.


Placement: Track Objects

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    

 Placement: Add a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Track Objects (e.g. signals, speed signs, switches, etc), both visible and invisible, can only be attached to track splines.
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Visible examples of track objects include:-
DotPoint.JPG Signals, speed signs, end buffers, switches
Invisible examples of track objects include:-
DotPoint.JPG Trackmarks, triggers, direction and priority markers. Plus invisible trackside objects such as signals, switches and speed signs


Steps: Start the process by identifying and selecting the track asset that you need from the Assets Palette

DotPoint1.JPG In the Assets Palette choose one of the following:-

Options:
Select from the Assets Palette icons:-
TrackMeshFilter S20.png track (non spline) assets
OR
Select from the Assets Palette drop down list:-
 Track Objects 


Select the track asset to be added using Steps DotPoint2.JPG and DotPoint3.JPG, or the PencilTips.PNG  Shortcut , as described in PageLink.PNG Placement: Scenery Mesh Objects above.
Then continue as shown below:-
PlacementTrackObject S20.png
DotPoint4.JPG  Left Click  on the track at the position where you want the Track Object to be placed.


PencilTips.PNG Certain track objects have a Trigger Radius that controls how close a consist must approach the object to trigger its action. See PageLink.PNG Set the Trigger Radius for instructions on setting this feature.


 Placement: Move a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Once a Track Object (e.g. a signal) has been placed it can be moved using the Placement Tool


Steps: To move a Track Object using the Placement Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG Left Click and Drag the Anchor Point (the small yellow dot in the middle of the track as shown in the image above) to any position along the track or to another track.
NotePad.PNG You can also move the object by dragging the object itself and not its Anchor Point. However, it will lose its fixed distance, both vertical and horizontal, from the centre of the track. You will then have to open its Context Menu and select the  Reattach to Track  option to restore it to the correct distance from the track centre


PencilTips.PNG Moving Track Objects can also be performed, with more control and additional options, using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool.


 Placement: Delete a Track Object 

To delete a track object (or any object) that has just been added by the Placement Tool and is still highlighted, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png press the  Delete  key, OR
Bblue.png open its Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) and select the option  Delete 
NotePad.PNG If the object is not highlighted then you must first switch to either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Ajustment Tool, select the object and then choose one of the above options


 Placement: Set the Height of a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png An object that has just been added to a route using the Placement Tool can have its height adjusted immediately after placement
BlueDot10x10.png or it can be adjusted at a later time using the Free Move or Fine Adjustment Tools


In Surveyor 2.0 track objects can be given a height that will place them above (or below) the track. To set the height of a selected track mesh object, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting, enter a value followed by the  Enter  key OR
Bblue.png in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting, enter a value then Right Click and select  Set Height to Selection  OR
Cblue.png from the objects Context Menu select the  Apply Height  option to apply an existing height setting, OR
Dblue.png in the Info Palette enter a value in the objects  z  (height) setting or Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).


 Placement: Set the Trigger Radius of a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Certain track objects have a Trigger Radius that sets how close a consist must approach the object to trigger its action
BlueDot10x10.png The Trigger Radius of an object can be adjusted by the Placement Tool immediately after it has been placed on a track
Track objects that have a Trigger Radius include:-
DotPoint.JPG Track marks such as Track Markers, Priority Markers and Direction Markers
DotPoint.JPG Track Triggers
DotPoint.JPG Whistle Signs
PencilTips.PNG It is a good idea to adjust the trigger radius of these objects so that they do not overlap a track junction


The current Trigger Radius of these objects is shown by the size of the "wings" (Red or Green depending on the type of object) attached to the object and, in some cases, a distance value below the name of the object. Both of these options are shown in the image below.


MarkerTriggerRadius S20.png On one side of the track object is a green Trigger Radius dot that allows the radius value to be adjusted up or down.
NotePad.PNG If no Trigger Radius dot or Red/Green Wings appear on the track object then it does not have an adjustable Trigger Radius


Steps: To adjust the Trigger Radius of a newly placed track object:-
PencilTips.PNG Move your camera POV (Point of View) to directly above the track object before adjusting its Trigger Radius. This will make the adjustment as quick and as smooth as possible.
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click and Drag  forward or back on the Trigger Radius dot. The dot will not move but the "wings" that indicate the radius on the track and the displayed radius value will increase or decrease
DotPoint2.JPG when the radius reaches the required size release the mouse button


PencilTips.PNG This action can also be performed on existing track objects using the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool


 Placement: Track Object Context Menu 

Track Mesh Object Context Menu Options
Once a track mesh object has been placed you can open its Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) to access a range of options and functions. The following Track Object specific options will appear, along with other more general options, in the objects Context Menu.
 Rotate Trackside  swaps the position of the object to the other side of the track so that it faces the opposite direction
 Change Junction Direction  if the object is a track switch or junction then its switch direction will be reversed
 Reattach to Track  if the object has been moved away from the track then it will be reset to its correct position on the track. This option will be greyed out if the object is already attached to the track
See PageLink.PNG Free Move: Track Object Context Menu for the full list of Context Menu options for Track Objects.


Placement: Rolling Stock Objects

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    

 Placement: Add a Rolling Stock Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Rolling Stock Objects (e.g. locomotives, passenger cars and wagons) can only be attached to track splines.


Steps: Start the process by identifying and selecting the rolling stock asset that you need from the Assets Palette

DotPoint1.JPG In the Assets Palette choose one of the following:-

Options:
Select from the Assets Palette icons:-
TrainFilter S20.png rolling stock assets
OR
Select from the Assets Palette drop down list:-
 Rolling Stock 


Select the rolling stock asset to be added using Steps DotPoint2.JPG and DotPoint3.JPG, or the PencilTips.PNG  Shortcut , as described in PageLink.PNG Placement: Scenery Mesh Objects above.

Then continue as shown below:-
PlacementRollingStockObject S20.png
DotPoint4.JPG  Left Click  on the track at the position where you want the Rolling Stock Object to be placed.


 Placement: Move a Rolling Stock Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Once a Rolling Stock Object (e.g. a wagon) has been placed it can be moved using the Placement Tool


Steps: To move a Track Object using the Placement Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG Left Click and Drag the Anchor Point (the small yellow dot attached to the object) to any position along the track or to another track. It can also be coupled to a consist and then decoupled by dragging the same Anchor Point.


PencilTips.PNG Moving, coupling and decoupling Rolling Stock Objects can also be performed, with more control, using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool.


 Placement: Delete a Rolling Stock Object 

To delete a rolling stock object (or any object) that has just been added by the Placement Tool and is still highlighted, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png press the  Delete  key, OR
Bblue.png open its Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) and select the option  Delete 
NotePad.PNG If the object is not highlighted then you must first switch to either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Ajustment Tool, select the object and then choose one of the above options


 Placement: Rolling Stock Object Context Menu 

Rolling Stock Object Context Menu Options
Once a rolling stock object has been placed you can open its Context Menu ( Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key) to access a range of options and functions. The following Rolling Stock Object specific options will appear, along with other more general options, in the objects Context Menu.
 Rotate Vehicle  rotates (reverses) the facing direction of a selected rolling stock object. If more than one object has been selected then they will all have their directions reversed but they will remain in the same order
 Change Consist Heading  reverses the consist heading as indicated by the directions of the red and green arrows above the start and end of the consist
 Rotate Consist Heading  the entire consist is reversed, both in the order of the vehicles and the direction they face
 Merge into Single Train  when two or more separate rolling stock assets have been selected they will be coupled into a single consist. See PageLink.PNG Coupling Rolling Stock Objects for more details
 Save to Consist Asset...  saves the selected rolling stock objects as a new consist asset in the Assets Palette
See PageLink.PNG Rolling Stock Object Context Menu for the full list of Context Menu options for Rolling Stock Objects.


The Eyedropper Tool

Skip Down Skip Up Top Next Up Next Down Bottom
S20 DropperToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  R 
The  Eyedropper Tool  identifies and selects objects in a Trainz World
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.


Eyedropper Tools
 Tool Targets  The Eyedropper Tool has no Target options so it has no drop down menu list
DotPoint.JPG When selected, this tool has a distinctive pointer icon which makes it easy to identify that the Eyedropper Tool is active EyedropperToolPointer S20.png
DotPoint.JPG The Eyedropper is also available in the Placement Tool, Free Move Tool, Fine Adjustment Tool and the Marquee Tool by holding down the  Alt  key - see below for more details
 Tool Actions  The Eyedropper Tool has no Action options so it has no drop down menu list


Quick Steps

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    

 From the Eyedropper Tool 

Eyedropper Tools

Asset filter set by the Eyedropper in S20
Steps: To use the Eyedropper Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Eyedropper Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the  R  key
DotPoint2.JPG move the pointer, which will look like an Eyedropper, over any object to reveal its name in a  ToolTip  which will appear below the pointer
DotPoint3.JPG Optional: hold the eyedropper over any object for a few seconds to reveal more information such as its <kuid> code
DotPoint4.JPG Optional:  Left Click  on the object to identify it in the Assets Palette It will be highlighted in light grey AssetFilterNameHighlighted S20.png
Eyedropper
DotPoint5.JPG Optional:  Left Click  on the asset name in the Assets Palette list to switch control to the Placement Tool so the next  Left Click  in your Trainz World will add the selected asset to your layout


NotePad.PNG Notes:

Using the Eyedropper Tool to select an object (Step  5  above) will also copy some of that objects properties into the Tool Options Palette. These would include:-
DotPoint.JPG  Height  for a scenery (mesh) object
DotPoint.JPG  Scale  and  Rotation  for a ground texture
DotPoint.JPG  Grade  and  Height  for a spline object. If the spline has a slope then the  Height  at the point clicked will be used


 From the Brush, Placement, Free Move, Fine Adjustment, Marquee Tools 

BlueDot10x10.png You can access the Eyedropper while using any of the other tools in the Tools Palette


Steps: To access the Eyedropper from the other tools:-
DotPoint1.JPG hold down the  Alt  key. The Eyedropper Tool will be temporarily selected in the Tools Palette
DotPoint2.JPG move the Eyedropper onto an object to identify it as described above. The name and <kuid> of the object will appear in the pointer tooltip. If you release the  Alt  key without selecting an object then you will be returned to your originally selected tool in the Tools Palette
DotPoint3.JPG while holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the object to select it in the Assets Palette and copy some of its properties into the Tool Options Palette
PencilTips.PNG If you change your mind you can  Left Click  on another object if you are still holding down the  Alt  key. If you have already released the  Alt  key then hold it down again to select another object
DotPoint4.JPG after a  Left Click  on the selected object release the  Alt  key. The Placement Tool will be selected in the Tools Palette. This means that the next  Left Click  in your Trainz World will add the selected asset to your layout


Narrowing the Search

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png 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".
PencilTips.PNGThese filter options can be used with the Placement Tool, Free Move Tool, Fine Adjustment Tool and the Marquee Tool as well as with the Eyedropper Tool


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

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.

Asset Filter Options:
 Filter List  this option will have no effect on the operation of the Tool or on the objects displayed on the screen. It is the default setting and any selections made with the Tool will be shown in the Assets Palette as described in the section Quick Steps above.
 Filter Selection  this option will restrict the Tool to only working on those objects that are in the filtered list. Objects that are not in the filtered list cannot be selected.
 Filter Visibility  this option will hide all objects that are not in the filtered list. The only exceptions are Ground Textures and Effect Layers which will be visible but cannot be selected. See Known Issues: note below.

As an example the following images show the progressive application of a Visibility Filter.

AssetFilterScene1 S20.png AssestFilteredScene1.png Ablue.png No filter has been applied.


All the objects are visible on the Surveyor screen.

ALL objects can be selected.

AssetFilterScene2 S20.png AssestFilteredScene2.png

Bblue.png The Filter Visibility option has been applied to restrict visible object to those selected by the Asset Filter settings.

Cblue.png The filtered list has been set to display only Scenery Splines.

All objects except Scenery Splines, Ground Textures and Effect Layers are now hidden.

Now only Scenery Splines can be selected.

AssetFilterScene3 S20.png AssestFilteredScene3.png

Dblue.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 or descriptions have now been hidden.

Now only the remaining visible Scenery Splines can be selected.

NotePad.PNG To reset the filter to show and/or select all objects, select the option  Filter List 


Bug.png Known Issues:

A bug has been reported in this option. When the view is switched from Filter Visibility back to either Filter Selection or Filter List all objects except track objects (signals, switches, speed signs, etc) will become visible again. The track will be visible but not the objects on or attached to it. These objects have NOT been deleted but remain hidden.

This bug has been fixed in the latest Trainz Plus beta version

Workaround: Track objects are normally placed in the route-layer. Toggle the route-layer visibility control (its "eye" icon LayerEyeOpen S20.png in the Layers Palette) to OFF ("hide") and then back to ON ("show"). The track objects should reappear. Alternatively, you could also save the route and reload it into Surveyor - this will also return the missing track objects to visibility.


The Free Move Tool

Skip Down Skip Up Top Next Up Next Down Bottom
S20 FreeMoveToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  S 
The  Free Move Tool  moves objects around a Trainz World
This 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.


Free Move Tools
 Tool Targets  The Free Move Tool has no Target options so it has no drop down menu list
DotPoint.JPG This tool is ideal for making large horizontal movements of objects
DotPoint.JPG Multiple objects (of different types) can be selected for mass moves and other operations
 Tool Actions  The Free Move Tool has no Action options so it has no drop down menu list


PencilTips.PNGFree Move Alternatives
In addition to the Free Move Tool the position and/or height of objects can be changed by choosing one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png using the PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment Tool OR
Bblue.png editing its  x   y   z  values in PageLink.PNG The Info Palette OR
Cblue.png selecting the  Apply Height  option in its Context Menu


Free Move: Selecting an Object

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png The Free Move Tool can be used to select individual objects and multiple objects. The multiple objects can be of different types (e.g. spline objects and scenery objects)


Steps: To select single and multiple objects with the Free Move Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Free Move Tool. Either:-
Ablue.png  Left Click  on the Free Move Tool icon S20 FreeMoveToolIcon.png from the Tools Palette, OR
Bblue.png Press the  S  key
DotPoint2.JPG In the Surveyor screen  Left Click  on the object to be selected, or the first object if multiple objects are to be selected
DotPoint3.JPG To select an additional object, hold down the  Shift  key and  Left Click  on the next object to be selected. It will be added to highlighted selection
DotPoint4.JPG Repeat Step  3  for each additional object to be selected
NotePad.PNG When you select an object its Context Icon will appear attached to the object.  Left Click  on the icon to open its Context Menu. If more than one object is selected the Context Icon and Context Menu will be attached to the last object selected


PencilTips.PNG  Double Left Click  on an object to add it and all nearby identical objects into a single selection. If the object is a spline then all the segments up to the next junction will be selected. If the object is rolling stock then all the rolling stock objects in the consist will be selected


PencilTips.PNG Selecting Objects From a Crowded Scene

Sometimes the object you want to select is part of a crowded scene or is overlapped by other objects, such as splines, and this can make it difficult to select. In these situations the best solution is to create an Object Filter using the Assets Palette to narrow the selection to a single object or to a set of objects.

See PageLink.PNG Narrowing the Search for more details


Free Move: Naming an Object

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
If the Info Palette is not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


InfoPaletteObjectName S20.png
Steps: To name (or rename) an object using the Free Move Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG With the Free Move Tool  Left Click  inside the Name text entry box in the Info Palette
DotPoint2.JPG Enter a name
DotPoint3.JPG Press the  Enter  key


ObjectsUsingSameName.png
There is no ban on two or more objects using the same name


In the image shown on the left there are 4 objects all named Old Orroroo Rd.

This will not cause any problems for scenery objects apart from finding the exact one you want with the Finder Tool ( Ctrl  +  F  keys).

NotePad.PNG Notes:

However, duplicated names will cause problems for Industries (including passenger enabled stations), Locomotives, Track Marks, Triggers, Switches, Signals, etc that have to be identified to control the operation of a session.
These objects must have unique names


Free Move: Changing an Objects Layer

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png All objects in the Trainz World are in layers. You can set and change the layers where the objects are placed


If the Info Palette is not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
An object will be added to a layer when it is placed into the Trainz World by the Placement Tool and the Scrapbook. Once it has been placed it can be moved to a different layer.
Steps: To move a placed object to another layer:-
InfoLayerSetNew.png
DotPoint1.JPG select the object ( Left Click  on the object) or several objects ( Shift  +  Left Click  on each object) to be moved to another layer. If multiple objects are selected then they do not have to be of the same type or in the same starting layer.  Note: The layer(s) containing the object(s) must NOT be locked 
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click  on the Layer arrowhead icon (circled in red in the image left) in the Info Palette. This will open up the layer controls for the last selected object
DotPoint3.JPG the drop down menu box labelled Layer shows the currently assigned layer for that object. If multiple objects from different layers have been selected then no layer name will be shown.  Left Click  on the Up/Down arrows to open the list of all available layers.
DotPoint4.JPG select the destination layer from the list. The object(s) will then be moved to the selected layer - you will be given a warning if the move has failed (usually because an objects layer is locked)


NotePad.PNG Also see:-
PageLink.PNG Assigning Objects to a Different Layer for more details on the Layer Controls in the Info Palette
WikiLink.PNG How to Use Layers for detailed information on Layers


Free Move: Scenery Mesh Objects

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png Individual "non-spline" scenery objects that are not attached to track are often referred to in Trainz terminology as Scenery Mesh Objects.

 Free Move: Move a Scenery Mesh Object 

FreeMoveToolCar S20.png
Steps: To move a Scenery Mesh Object:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Free Move Tool (or press the  S  key)
DotPoint2.JPG Left Click and Drag the object in any horizontal direction
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG If multple objects have been selected then all the objects will be moved
DotPoint.JPG When moving a scenery object, its height will be fixed to the terrain height


 Free Move: Set the Height of a Scenery Mesh Object 

PencilTips.PNG You can copy the height of a selected scenery mesh object (e.g. a house) into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object.
 
Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the  Height  setting:-
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click in the  Height  setting in the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Get Height from Selection  option
 
You can check the height of any selected object or endpoint using the Info Palette. The height is the last value in the Pos: (Position) data set.
InfoPaletteShowHeight S20.png


To set the height of a selected scenery mesh object, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then press the  Enter  key. This works even if the  Height  icon is not coloured  Gold . OR
Bblue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then Right Click in the setting box and select the  Set Height to Selection  option, OR
Cblue.png select the  Apply Height  setting from the objects Context Menu ( Left Click  on the objects Context Icon or press the  T  key) to apply an existing height value, OR
Dblue.png in the Info Palette enter a value in the objects  z  (height) setting or Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).
NotePad.PNG Notes:

If multiple objects have been selected then the height of the context object, the one with the Context Icon, will have its height set to the new value. All other selected objects will have their heights adjusted to maintain their height relative to that object. For example: If another selected object is 2m below the context object then its adjusted height will always remain 2m below the context object


 Free Move: Scenery Mesh Object Context Menu 

A selected scenery mesh object, or a group of selected scenery mesh objects, will have a Context Icon that opens a Context Menu.  Left Click  on the icon or press the  T  key. The icon design will vary between object types.


Scenery Mesh Object Context Menu
ContextMenuMeshObject S20.png
 Cut  remove the selected object or objects from the route and move them into the Scrapbook
 Copy  copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook
 Paste  paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point
 Delete  delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key
 Replace Object with Selected Asset  the selected object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If no object has been selected in the Assets Palette or it is the wrong type (e.g. a scenery spline instead of a mesh object) then this option will be greyed out
 Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected objects. The Tool Options Palette brush settings ( Radius  and  Sensitivity ) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out
 Smooth Ground Under Selected  smooths the height of the ground under the selected object to match the set height of the object. The size of the area affected will depend on which has the greater value: the width of the object OR the Tool Options Palette  Radius  setting. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the ground height will be set to match, as far as possible, the heights of each 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 selected object to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Where multiple objects have been selected the context object, the one with the Context Icon, will have its height set to the  Height  value and the other selected objects will have their heights adjusted up or down by the same amount
 Reset Object Rotation  resets the rotation angle of the selected objects to their default values
 Randomise Object Rotation  applies a random rotation angle to each selected object around its vertical axis
 Select in Assets Palette  highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette
 Edit Details  opens the Properties window of the selected object. Note: to enter or edit an objects name property use the Info Palette


Free Move: Track Objects

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, markers, etc) are always attached to an existing track
BlueDot10x10.png In Surveyor 2.0 they can be moved left, right, above and below the track

 Free Move: Move a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Track objects can be dragged to new positions along and beside the track or to a different track


PlacementTrackObject S20.png
Steps: To move a Track Object along the track using the Free Move Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the object with the Free Move Tool
DotPoint2.JPG Left Click and Drag the objects Anchor Point (the small yellow dot in the middle of the track as shown in the image left) to any position along the track or to another track.
NotePad.PNG You can also move the object by dragging the object itself and not its Anchor Point. However, it will lose its fixed distance, both vertical and horizontal, from the centre of the track. You will then have to open its Context Menu and select the  Reattach to Track  option to restore it to the correct distance from the track centre


FreeMoveTrackObject S20.png
Step: To move a track object horizontally away from the track with the Free Move Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG Left Click and Drag the object anywhere in the horizontal plane including away from the track
PencilTips.PNG You can drag the track object to a different track

FreeMoveTrackObjectMoveH S20.png


Track objects that have been moved away from or closer to the track will still function normally.

PencilTips.PNGSituations where it is useful to be able to move a track object away from the track include:-
DotPoint.JPG placing Track Marks and Triggers above (see the next section) 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


 Free Move: Set the Height of a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Track objects can be raised above and lowered below the track level.
PencilTips.PNG You can copy the height of a selected track mesh object (e.g. a signal) into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object.
 
Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the  Height  setting:-
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click in the  Height  setting in the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Get Height from Selection  option


FreeMoveTrackObjectMoveH S20.png
Throw Lever track object level with the track
To set the height of a selected track object, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then press the  Enter  key. This works even if the  Height  icon is not coloured  Gold . OR
Bblue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then Right Click in the setting box and select the  Set Height to Selection  option, OR
Cblue.png select the  Apply Height  option from the objects Context Menu ( Left Click  on the objects Context Icon or press the  T  key) to apply an existing height value, OR
Dblue.png in the Info Palette enter a value in the objects  z  (height) setting or Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).


BlueDot10x10.png Track objects that have been "height adjusted" will still function normally and can still be moved along the track without reversing the height change .
FreeMoveTrackObjectMoveHV S20.png
After being moved vertically
PencilTips.PNGA situation where it might be useful to raise a signal above the track level would be to place it higher up on the wall of a cutting


 Free Move: Set the Trigger Radius of a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Certain track objects have have a Trigger Radius that sets how close a consist must approach the object to trigger its action
Track objects that have a Trigger Radius include:-
DotPoint.JPG Track marks such as Track Markers, Priority Markers and Direction Markers
DotPoint.JPG Track Triggers
DotPoint.JPG Whistle Signs
PencilTips.PNG It is a good idea to adjust the trigger radius of these objects so that they do not overlap a track junction


The current Trigger Radius of these objects is shown by the size of the "wings" (Red or Green depending on the type of object) attached to the object and, in some cases, a distance value below the name of the object. Both of these options are shown in the image below.


MarkerTriggerRadius S20.png On one side of the track object is a green Trigger Radius dot that allows the radius value to be adjusted up or down.
NotePad.PNG If no Trigger Radius dot or Red/Green Wings appear on the track object then it does not have an adjustable Trigger Radius


Steps: To adjust the Trigger Radius of a track object:-
DotPoint1.JPG use the Free Move Tool to select the track object
PencilTips.PNG Move your camera POV (Point of View) to directly above the track object before adjusting its Trigger Radius. This will make the adjustment as quick and as smooth as possible.
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click and Drag  forward or back on the Trigger Radius dot. The dot will not move but the "wings" that indicate the radius on the track and the displayed radius value will increase or decrease
DotPoint3.JPG when the radius reaches the required size release the mouse button


PencilTips.PNG This action can also be performed on existing track objects using the Fine Adjustment Tool


 Free Move: Track Object Context Menu 

A selected track mesh object, or a group of selected track mesh objects, will have a Context Icon that opens a Context Menu. The icon design will vary between object types.

To open a selected track objects Context Menuchoose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  the Context Icon ContextIconsTrackObjects S20.png OR
Bblue.png Press the  T  key


Track Object Context Menu
ContextMenuTrackObject S20.png
 Cut  remove the selected object or objects from the route and move them into the Scrapbook
 Copy  copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook
 Paste  paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point
 Delete  delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key
 Replace Object with Selected Asset  the selected object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If the asset selected in the Assets Palette is the wrong type (e.g. a scenery spline) then this option will be greyed out
 Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected objects. The Tool Options Palette brush settings ( Radius  and  Sensitivity ) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out.
 Smooth Ground Under Selected  smooths the height of the ground under the selected object to match the set height of the object. For track objects the size of the area affected will depend on the Tool Options Palette  Radius  setting. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the ground height will be set to match, as far as possible, the heights of each 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 selected object to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Where multiple objects have been selected the context object, the one with the Context Icon, will have its height set to the  Height  value and the other selected objects will have their heights adjusted up or down by the same amount
 Reattach to Track  if the object has been moved away from the track then it will be reset to its correct position on the track. This option will be greyed out if the object is already attached to the track
 Rotate Trackside  reverses the position of the object on the track to the other side and facing the opposite direction
 Change Junction Direction  if the object is a track switch then its switch direction will be reversed
 Select  in Assets Palette  highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette
 Edit Details  opens the Properties window of the selected object. Note: to enter or edit an objects name property use the Info Palette


NotePad.PNG Notes:

  Track objects can be restored to their original height and position (on the track) by opening their Context Menu and choosing one of the following:-
Options:
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
Steps: To rotate a track object:-
DotPoint1.JPG Open the track objects Context Menu ( Left 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.


Free Move: Spline Objects (Including Track)

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png 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.


 Free Move: Spline Troubleshooting Tip 

PencilTips.PNG Quickly Locate Broken Splines and Tracks
  To quickly check for broken links in a spline or track Double Left Click on a segment. All the correctly joined segments upto the next junction or last endpoint (in both directions) will be highlighted. The highlighting will stop at a broken join (a "last" endpoint)


 Free Move: Moving Splines 

Moving a spline can involve moving one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png moving an endpoint, OR
Bblue.png moving a segment, OR
Cblue.png moving multiple segments including the entire length of the spline (between junctions)


Free Move: Move a Spline Endpoint

FreeMoveToolSpline S20.png
Steps: To move an individual spline endpoint:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Free Move Tool or press the  S  key
DotPoint2.JPG Left Click and Drag the selected spline endpoint in any horizontal direction
Active (selected) endpoints are shown as green. Inactive spline endpoints are shown as black


NotePad.PNG The spline endpoint will be fixed at its original height.


Free Move: Move a Spline Segment or Multiple 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 end. 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
Steps: To move an individual segment or multiple segments:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Free Move Tool or press the  S  key
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click  on the spline segment to be moved - click anywhere between the two spline endpoints on the segment


NotePad.PNG Notes:

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


PencilTips.PNG A temporary spline endpoint can be made permanent by selecting the  Insert Spline Point Here  option from its 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  Left Click  on will have a temporary endpoint (placed at the spot you clicked) and the Context Icons added.
PencilTips.PNG To select ALL the segments in a spline, Double Left Click on a segment
DotPoint.JPG This will select all the segments upto the next junction or the final endpoint (in both directions)
DotPoint.JPG The segment that you double-clicked will have the temporary endpoint (placed at the spot you clicked) and Context Icons added
DotPoint.JPG To remove individual spline segments from the selection  Shift  +  Left Click  on each segment to be removed.
DotPoint.JPG To remove ALL the segments from a selection,  Double Left Click  on any highlighted segment OR  Left Click  anywhere outside the selected segments.
DotPoint4.JPG Left Click and 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


 Free Move: Add a Spline Junction 

BlueDot10x10.png A junction is formed when three spline segments are joined at an endpoint. Junctions can be formed using non identical but compatible spline objects, such as different types of track splines.


NotePad.PNG The Free Move Tool cannot be used to add a junction, you MUST USE the Placement Tool


SplineJunction S20.png
Steps: To add a junction to a spline object:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the spline object to be used for the junction. The easiest method is hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on an existing spline object that you want to use. This will also select the Placement Tool in Step  2  below so you can skip to Step  3 
DotPoint2.JPG Select the Placement Tool from the Tools Palette
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  on the spline at the spot where the junction is to be created. This can be on an existing endpoint or between two endpoints where a new endpoint will be inserted
DotPoint4.JPG move the mouse pointer out from the junction to where the next endpoint of the spline branch will be placed and  Left Click 


Steps: To remove a junction but keep all its spline segments:-
DotPoint1.JPG select ( Left Click  on) the junction endpoint
DotPoint2.JPG open the endpoint Context Menu by a  Left Click  on its Context Icon SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png or by pressing the  T  key
DotPoint3.JPG select the  Separate Splines  menu option (this will separate ALL the spline segments that meet at that endpoint)
NotePad.PNG
DotPoint.JPG A junction can be removed by deleting any spline segment that connects to it
DotPoint.JPG A junction endpoint can be moved by using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool


 Free Move: Add a Track Junction 

BlueDot10x10.png A track junction is formed using track splines in the same way as described above but track junctions have additional features


PlacementTrackJunction S20.png
When a junction is created using Track Spline Objects, a junction switch will be automatically added.
DotPoint.JPG the switch will be the one specified in the Region listed in the Route Properties. The region and its switch can be changed by opening the SurveyorEditIcon.png Surveyor Edit Menu and selecting  Edit Route... . If no region has been specified then a default switch (as shown left) will be used
DotPoint.JPG use the PageLink.PNG Free Move Tool or the PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment Tool to move or delete the switch and to open its Context Menu for editing


LinkWiki.PNG

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

How to Create a Region Asset


NotePad.PNG Using Procedural Tracks
If the track object used is a Procedural Track and the junction is formed with another Procedural Track then the junction endpoint dot will be coloured:-
DotPoint.JPG RED (as shown above) if the junction exceeds the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction. This will not stop the junction from working but it will not display the special features only found in Procedural Tracks, OR
DotPointBlack.JPG BLACK if the junction is within the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction and it will display all the Procedural Track special features
A procedural track junction can be changed from red to black by adjusting the height and/or position (depending on the exact cause of the problem) of the junction endpoint and the endpoints on either side of the junction. See the Wiki Page WikiLink.PNG How to Use Procedural Track for more details
A junction between two non-procedural tracks and between a procedural track and a non-procedural track will always have a red endpoint dot


 Free Move: Set a Spline Height 

Copying a Spline Objects Height

PencilTips.PNG You can copy the height of a spline segment or endpoint into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object. Choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Use the Eyedropper to copy the height of a spline segment
Steps: To copy the Height of a spline segment (but not an endpoint):-
DotPoint1.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment
DotPoint2.JPG while holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the spline segment
NotePad.PNG
DotPoint.JPG When the eyedropper is active spline endpoints will not be visible and cannot be selected
DotPoint.JPG If the segment has a slope then the height at the point clicked will be copied into the  Height  setting
DotPoint.JPG This will also select the clicked object in the Assets Palette and it will become the next object added by a  Left Click  with the Placement Tool in your Trainz World
  OR
Bblue.png Use the  Height  setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Height of a spline segment or one of its endpoints:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the spline segment or endpoint
DotPoint2.JPG Right Click in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting box
DotPoint3.JPG Select the  Get Height from Selection  option
NotePad.PNG If the spline segment has a slope then the height at its midpoint will be used


Setting a Spline Objects Height

To set the height of a selected spline (including track) or endpoint, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then press the  Enter  key. This works even if the  Height  icon is not coloured  Gold . OR
Bblue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then Right Click in the setting box and select the  Set Height to Selection  option, OR
Cblue.png select the  Apply Height  option from the objects Context Menu ( Left Click  on the objects Context Icon or press the  T  key) to apply an existing height value, OR
Dblue.png in the Info Palette enter a value in the objects  z  (height) setting or Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).


Steps: To set the heights of multiple spline segments to the value stored in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting:-
SelectedSplines S20.png
DotPoint1.JPG Select the spline segments using:-
DotPointBlueSquare.png  Shift  +  Left Click  to select individual segments, OR
DotPointBlueSquare.png Double Left Click to select all the segments up to the next junction (in both directions).
DotPoint2.JPG Select one of the options Ablue.png, Bblue.png, Cblue.png or Dblue.png described above
SelectedSplinesHeight S20.png ALL the selected spline segments and their endpoints will be set to the specified height.


 Free Move: Set a Spline Gradient 

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 a cliff face, would have an infinite grade (cliff height divided by 0) which is currently impossible in Surveyor.


Copying an Existing Gradient

PencilTips.PNG You can copy the current Grade of any spline segment into the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object that has a Grade setting. Choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Use the Eyedropper
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment (but not an endpoint):-
DotPoint1.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment
DotPoint2.JPG while holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the spline segment
NotePad.PNG When the eyedropper is active spline endpoints will not be visible and cannot be selected. This option will also change the asset selected in the Assets Palette to the object clicked and it will become the next object added by a  Left Click  with the Placement Tool
The height at the point clicked will also be copied into the  Height  setting
  OR
Bblue.png Use the  Grade  setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment or one of its endpoints:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the spline segment or endpoint
DotPoint2.JPG Right Click in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting box
DotPoint3.JPG Select the  Get Grade from Selection  option


Setting a Spline Gradient

To set the gradient of a selected spline segment (including track), choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then press the  Enter  key. This works even if the  Grade  icon is not coloured  Gold . OR
Bblue.png select the  Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint  option from the Context Menu for the segment endpoint (not the segment context icon) -  Left Click  on the endpoint Context Icon SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png to apply the existing grade value. The endpoint that has been selected will be the starting point of the grade.


Steps: To set the gradients of multiple spline segments to the value stored in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting:-
SelectedSplines S20.png
DotPoint1.JPG Select the spline segments using:-
DotPointBlueSquare.png  Shift  +  Left Click  to select individual segments, OR
DotPointBlueSquare.png Double Left Click to select all the segments up to the next junction (in both directions).
NotePad.PNG To apply the same gradient to all the selected segments make sure that the first segment has the context icons
DotPoint2.JPG Open the Context Menu of the first or starting endpoint ( Left Click  on the icon SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png)
DotPoint3.JPG Select the option  Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint 
SelectedSplinesGradient S20.png The selected spline segments are now set to the specified gradient.
NotePad.PNG If the selected endpoint is NOT at the start of the highlighted segments then the gradient will be applied in both directions from that endpoint as shown below.

SelectedSplinesGradientUShape S20.png

Once the height and/or gradient of the spline segments have been set then other effects can be added.
From the Context Menu of the highlighted segments, select the options:-
 Smooth Ground Under Selected   to smooth the ground surface under a spline object to match its height, and
 Paint Under Selected  to paint the currently selected ground texture under the spline using the settings in the Tool Options Palette
SelectedSplinesGradientSmoothPaint S20.png


 Free Move: Spline Object Context Menus 

A selected scenery spline object, or a group of selected scenery spline objects, will have a Context Icon that opens a Context Menu. The icon design will vary between object types.

ContextIconsSpline S20.png
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Splines have two different Context Icons that lead to two slightly different Context Menus.
DotPoint.JPG one context icon and menu for each endpoint SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png
DotPoint.JPG one context icon and menu for the segment SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png
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 Double Left Click then the segment that was clicked will have the icons.


To open a selected objects Context Menu choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  the Context Icon SplineContextIcons S20.png OR
Bblue.png Press the  T  key
NotePad.PNG Notes: Using the  T  key with splines

SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.png
TrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png
If a spline segment has been selected then pressing the  T  key will open the Segment Context Menu and the Menu options you select or edit will apply to the whole segment or all selected segments
 
SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png If a spline end point has been selected then pressing the  T  key will open the End Point Context Menu and the Menu options you select or edit will only apply to that particular endpoint


Spline Context Menus
SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png  Endpoint Context Menu 
ContextMenuSplineObject S20.png
SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png  Segment Context Menu 
ContextMenuSplineSegment S20.png
NotePad.PNG Notes:

The  Edit Details  option is only available for Track splines. The properties that can be edited will depend on whether you have selected a Track Segment or a Track Endpoint.

DotPoint.JPG Endpoint Details - the track Superelevation properties for that endpoint. Superelevation is a feature used on curves to raise the height of the outside track of the curve slightly above the height of the inside track. This allows higher speeds around curves.
For more information on Superelevation see the Trainz Wiki Page at WikiLink.PNG How to Use Superelevation
DotPoint.JPG Segment Details - the track Condition property for that segment.
Track Condition is the "smoothness" of the ride over a track segment
100% = perfect 50% = average 1% = extremely poor
You can also select multiple track segments and set their track Condition by editing their combined  Condition  value in the Tool Options Palette.


 Cut  remove the selected segment or segments from the route and move them into the Scrapbook (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Copy  copy the selected segment or segments and place them into the Scrapbook (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Paste  paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point
 Delete  delete the segment, segments or endpoint. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key
 Replace Spline with Selected Asset  the highlighted spline will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If the asset selected in the Assets Palette is the wrong type (e.g. a mesh object instead of a scenery spline) then this option will be greyed out (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected objects. The Tool Options Palette brush settings ( Radius  and  Sensitivity ) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Smooth Ground Under Selected  smooths the height of the ground under the selected spline to match its set height. If multiple spline segments have been selected then the ground under all the segments will be smoothed to their height. The size of the area affected will depend on which has the greater value: the width of the spline OR the Tool Options Palette  Radius  setting. Does not work for endpoints SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png
 Settle on Ground  sets the height of the selected endpoint or segments 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 selected endpoint to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting (SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png only)
PencilTips.PNGYou can copy the Height from an existing spline endpoint into the  Height  setting of the Tool Options Palette. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object.
DotPoint.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on the spline endpoint to copy its Height value. That value can then be used to set the Height of other spline endpoints
 Apply Height  sets the height of the selected segment or segments to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint  you must first select a segment then click on one of its endpoint icons SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png. This sets the height of the endpoint to give a Grade to the surrounding segments that matches the value in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting
PencilTips.PNGYou can copy the Grade from an existing spline segment into the  Grade  setting of the Tool Options Palette. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object.
DotPoint.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on the spline segment to copy its Grade value. That value can then be used to set the Grade of other spline segments
 Straighten Spline  forces a straight line (as far as possible) between the endpoints of a single segment. This option will be Tick.PNG ticked if the segment has already been straightened in which case selecting this option will "un-straighten" the segment and remove the tick (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Separate Splines  breaks two spline segments into two separate (independent) splines at the selected endpoint (SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png only)
 Merge Splines  removes the selected endpoint between two segments and merges the segments into one (SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png only). Two segments can also be merged by deleting a selected endpoint with the  Delete  key
 Insert Spline Point Here  splits the selected segment into two segments by adding a new endpoint at the point where the segment was clicked (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Select in Assets Palette  highlights the selected spline object in the Assets Palette
 Edit Details  opens the Properties window of the selected spline object. This option is only available for Track splines. Note: to enter or edit an objects name property use the Info Palette


Free Move: Rolling Stock Objects

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png Rolling Stock Objects (locomotives, wagons, etc) can only be moved along the track that they are attached to. If they are moved off the track then they will immediately "snap back" to the nearest track when they are released.

 Free Move: Move Rolling Stock Objects 

Use the Free Move tool to move a selected rolling stock object along the track.

PencilTips.PNGTo move an entire consist of rolling stock objects, Double Left Click on any one of the objects in the consist to select them all and then move them as one object


FreeMoveRollingStock S20.png
NotePad.PNG Notes:

It is possible to place a rolling stock object so that it "overlaps" (occupies the same space as) another rolling stock object. A large yellow X rotating above the rolling stock object is a sign of this "conflict".
This can happen if a rolling stock object is moved off the track and released. It will instantly snap to the nearest track position even if that position is already occupied.
PlacementRollingStockCollision S20.png
The simple solution is to use the Free Move Tool to move the incorrectly placed object to an unoccupied section of the track.


 Free Move: Decouple Rolling Stock Objects 

BlueDot10x10.png All decoupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects are performed using just a Left Click and Drag.


PencilTips.PNGTo decouple a rake of joined rolling stock objects from a consist (for example, the first or last 5 wagons),  Shift  +  Left Click  on each of the objects to be selected and then drag them away from the consist


A rolling stock object or objects in the middle of a consist can also be decoupled. This will break the consist into 3 sections.

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple5 S20.png

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple5A S20.png

Steps: To decouple rolling stock from a consist:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select one ( Left Click ) or more ( Shift  +  Left Click ) rolling stock objects inside a consist
If more than one object is selected, then they:-
DotPoint.JPG do not have to be connected to each other
DotPoint.JPG should be in the same consist - the results may be "unexpected" if the objects are selected and dragged out from different consists


DotPoint2.JPG Left Click and Drag the object or objects out of the consist and onto an Unoccupied section of track
DotPoint.JPG do not release the mouse button until you have the rolling stock objects in position otherwise they will simply "snap back" to the nearest track, regardless of whether it is already occupied or not. Think of the yellow connecting line between the wagon and the track shown in the image as if it is a "stretched rubber band"
DotPoint.JPG The rotating yellow X floating above the selected and now disconnected consist in the image indicates that it has been "derailed" from the track. This will disappear when it is "rerailled" again


 Free Move: Couple Rolling Stock Objects 

BlueDot10x10.png All coupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects can be performed using just a Left Click and Drag or through the objects Context Menu.

Options:

Ablue.png Using "Click and Drag"

Consider the following simple situation:-

The guard van (caboose) standing at the rear of a consist has to be coupled to the rear gondola wagon.
FreeMoveRollingStockCouple1 S20.png

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple2 S20.png
Steps: To Couple rolling stock objects:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select ( Left Click ) the rolling stock object (in this case the guard van) to be coupled to a consist or another rolling stock object (in this case the gondola)
DotPoint.JPG If more than one object has to be selected then use a  Shift  +  Left Click  to individually select each object
DotPoint.JPG If ALL the objects in a consist have to be selected then use a Double Left Click on any object in the consist
DotPoint2.JPG Left Click and Drag the object (the guard van) along the track to its target object or consist. When dragged rolling stock objects will "drop" or lower their height a few cms
DotPoint.JPG If the selected object (or objects) is already part of a consist then dragging will decouple it from the consist before moving it
DotPoint.JPG When it reaches the target object and couples it cannot be moved any further
DotPoint3.JPG Release the object when it has coupled and it will return to its correct height


NotePad.PNG If the two objects do not couple check that both are on the same track


Bblue.png Using the Context Menu

Using the same situation as above, the isolated guard van and the gondola wagon at the end of a consist are to be coupled together.

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple3 S20.png
Steps:
DotPoint1.JPG Select,  Shift  +  Left Click , on both objects
PencilTips.PNGThe order of selection IS important. Select the "destination" object, where the others will be coupled, last

The Context Icon will appear on the last rolling stock object selected.

DotPoint2.JPG Open the Rolling Stock Object Context Menu by choosing one of the following:-

Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  on the Context Icon of the last selected rolling stock object, OR
Bblue.png press the  T  key

DotPoint3.JPG Select the option  Merge into Single Train 


There are two possible outcomes depending on which object has the Context Icon

DotPoint1RedC.png Context Icon on the Gondola Wagon

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple3A S20.png
Using the Merge into Single Train option with the Context Icon on the gondola wagon at the end of the consist. The guard van couples to the gondola wagon and the consist

DotPoint2RedC.png Context Icon on the Guard Van

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple4A S20.png
Using the Merge into Single Train option with the Context Icon on the guard van. The gondola wagon decouples from the consist and couples to the guard van


Using a more complex example involving multiple objects from several different consists. The selected wagons shown below are to form a single consist based on the loco.
FreeMoveRollingStockMultiMerge1 S20.png
The loco was the last object to be selected so it has the Context Icon. The Context Menu is opened and the option  Merge into Single Train  is selected with the result as shown below.
FreeMoveRollingStockMultiMerge2 S20.png
The wagons and loco have been combined into a single consist but not necessarily in a useful order. Left Click and Drag the incorrectly placed vehicles to their correct positions.


 Free Move: Rolling Stock Object Context Menu 

A selected rolling stock object, or a group of selected rolling stock objects, will have a Context Icon that opens a Context Menu. The icon design will vary between object types.
To open a selected rolling stock object's Context Menu choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  its Context Icon ContextIconsRollingStock S20.png OR
Bblue.png Press the  T  key
PencilTips.PNG You cannot add rolling stock assets to a Scrapbook but you can create and save Consist Assets that have multiple rolling stock objects
Steps: To create a Consist Asset:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the consist -  Double Left Click  on the consist or  Shift  +  Left Click  on individual items
DotPoint2.JPG open the consist Context Menu -  Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key
DotPoint3.JPG select the option  Save to Consist Asset... 
DotPoint4.JPG enter a name and an optional description for your new Consist Asset and click the Tick.PNG icon
The consist will appear as a Train Asset in the Assets Palette


Rolling Stock Object Context Menu
ContextMenuRollingStock S20.png


NotePad.PNG You cannot set a Height value for a rolling stock object. It will always take the same height as the track on which it is placed
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Unlike other Context Menus, the  Cut  and  Copy  menu options are not selectable for Rolling Stock Objects because these objects cannot be added to a Scrapbook. The  Save to Consist Asset...  option performs some of the Scrapbook functions for rolling stock (see Tips above).
 Paste  the contents of the current Scrapbook will be pasted at the cursor (focus) point
 Delete  the selected rolling stock objects will be deleted. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key
 Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected objects. The Tool Options Palette brush settings ( Radius  and  Sensitivity ) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out.
 Smooth Ground Under Selected  smooths the height of the ground under the rolling stock object to match its height
 Reattach to Track  this option is only selecteable if a rolling stock object has derailed
 Rotate Vehicle  rotates (reverses) the facing direction of a selected rolling stock object. If more than one object has been selected then they will all have their directions reversed but they will remain in the same order
 Change Consist Heading  reverses the consist heading as indicated by the directions of the red and green arrows above the start and end of the consist
 Rotate Consist Heading  the entire consist is reversed, both in the order of the vehicles and the direction they face
 Merge into Single Train  when two or more separate rolling stock assets have been selected they will be coupled into a single consist. See PageLink.PNG Coupling Rolling Stock Objects for more details
 Save to Consist Asset...  saves the selected rolling stock objects as a new consist asset in the Assets Palette
 Select in Assets Palette  highlights the selected rolling stock object in the Assets Palette
 Edit Details  opens the Properties window of the selected rolling stock object. Note: to enter or edit an objects name property use the PageLink.PNG Info Palette


The Fine Adjustment Tool

Skip Down Skip Up Top Next Up Next Down Bottom
S20 FineAdjustmentToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  D 
The  Fine Adjustment Tool  makes 3D adjustments (XYZ position and rotations) to objects in a Trainz World
This 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.


Fine Adjustment Tools
 Tool Targets  The Fine Adjustment Tool has no Target options so it has no drop down menu list
DotPoint.JPG This tool is ideal for making small adjustments to objects - horizontally, vertically and rotations in 3D space
DotPoint.JPG Multiple objects (of different types) can be selected for mass adjustments and other operations
 Tool Actions  The Fine Adjustment Tool has no Action options so it has no drop down menu list


PencilTips.PNGFine Adjustment Alternatives
In addition to the Fine Adjustment Tool the position, orientation and/or height of objects can be changed by choosing one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png using the PageLink.PNG Free Move Tool OR
Bblue.png editing its  x   y   z  position values and  r   p   y  rotation values in PageLink.PNG The Info Palette OR
Cblue.png selecting the  Apply Height  option in its Context Menu


BlueDot10x10.png The most obvious feature of the Fine Adjustment Tool is the 3D Anchor Frame it adds to a selected object. The frame is made of 3 straight and 3 curved coloured lines, called Anchors
BlueDot10x10.png The Anchors in the Fine Adjustment Tool are used to move and rotate a selected object, or a group of selected objects, through 3D space.
FineAdjust3DFrame S20.png The Anchor controls are:-
 The Horizontal and Vertical Anchors 
 Red   Green   Blue  move the object (forward/back or up/down) in the direction of the Anchor line
 The Rotational Anchors 
 Red   Green   Blue  rotate the object (clockwise and anti-clockwise) along the Anchor Arc Line centred around the Anchor Straight Line of the same colour
NotePad.PNG Not all objects will have  Red  and/or  Green  rotational Anchors.
 The Object Anchor 
     (black central dot) moves the object in any horizontal direction
NotePad.PNG The orientation of the  Red  and  Green  horizontal anchor lines is based on the orientation of the object when it is placed in the scene, not on the compass directions
Steps: To use the Fine Adjustment Tool controls:-
DotPoint1.JPG move the tool pointer onto an Anchor - its colour will change to yellow for Anchor lines or green for the Object Anchor
DotPoint2.JPG Left Click and Drag the Object Anchor in any direction or move the pointer along the chosen Anchor Line in the required direction (e.g. up on the blue vertical Anchor or clockwise around the arc of the red rotational Anchor)


PencilTips.PNGTo achieve finer and more accurate control when moving anchors, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png zoom in closer to the anchor point, OR
Bblue.png use the  x   y   z  fine adjustment arrows in the Info Palette object  Pos:  controls. These arrows can be used to set the height and position to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below), OR
Cblue.png use the  r   p   y  fine adjustment arrows in the Info Palette object  Rot:  controls. These arrows can be used to set the rotation to accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).

Fine Adjustment: Selecting an Object

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png The Fine Adjustment Tool can be used to select individual objects and multiple objects. The multiple objects can be of different types (e.g. spline objects and scenery objects)


Steps: To select single and multiple objects with the Fine Adjustment Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Fine Adjustment Tool. Either:-
Ablue.png  Left Click  on the Fine Adjustment Tool icon S20 FineAdjustmentToolIcon.png from the Tools Palette, OR
Bblue.png Press the  D  key
DotPoint2.JPG In the Surveyor screen  Left Click  on the object to be selected, or the first object if multiple objects are to be selected
DotPoint3.JPG To select an additional object, hold down the  Shift  key and  Left Click  on the next object to be selected. It will be added to highlighted selection
DotPoint4.JPG Repeat Step  3  for each additional object to be selected
NotePad.PNG When you select an object its Context Icon will appear attached to the object.  Left Click  on the icon to open its Context Menu. If more than one object is selected the Context Icon and Context Menu will be attached to the last object selected


PencilTips.PNG  Double Left Click  on an object to add it and all nearby identical objects into a single selection. If the object is a spline then all the segments up to the next junction will be selected. If the object is rolling stock then all the rolling stock objects in the consist will be selected


PencilTips.PNG Selecting Objects From a Crowded Scene

Sometimes the object you want to select is part of a crowded scene or is overlapped by other objects, such as splines, and this can make it difficult to select. In these situations the best solution is to create an Object Filter using the Assets Palette to narrow the selection to a single object or to a set of objects.

See PageLink.PNG Narrowing the Search for more details


Fine Adjustment: Naming an Object

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
If the Info Palette is not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


InfoPaletteObjectName S20.png
Steps: To name (or rename) an object using the Fine Adjustment Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG With the Fine Adjustment Tool  Left Click  inside the Name text entry box in the Info Palette
DotPoint2.JPG Enter a name
DotPoint3.JPG Press the  Enter  key


ObjectsUsingSameName.png
There is no ban on two or more objects using the same name


In the image shown on the left there are 4 objects all named Old Orroroo Rd.

This will not cause any problems for scenery objects apart from finding the exact one you want with the Finder Tool ( Ctrl  +  F  keys).

NotePad.PNG Notes:

However, duplicated names will cause problems for Industries (including passenger enabled stations), Locomotives, Track Marks, Triggers, Switches, Signals, etc that have to be identified to control the operation of a session.
These objects must have unique names


Fine Adjustment: Changing an Objects Layer

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png All objects in the Trainz World are in layers. You can set and change the layers where the objects are placed


If the Info Palette is not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document
An object will be added to a layer when it is placed into the Trainz World by the Placement Tool and the Scrapbook. Once it has been placed it can be moved to a different layer.
Steps: To move a placed object to another layer:-
InfoLayerSetNew.png
DotPoint1.JPG select the object ( Left Click  on the object) or several objects ( Shift  +  Left Click  on each object) to be moved to another layer. If multiple objects are selected then they do not have to be of the same type or in the same starting layer.  Note: The layer(s) containing the object(s) must NOT be locked 
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click  on the Layer arrowhead icon (circled in red in the image left) in the Info Palette. This will open up the layer controls for the last selected object
DotPoint3.JPG the drop down menu box labelled Layer shows the currently assigned layer for that object. If multiple objects from different layers have been selected then no layer name will be shown.  Left Click  on the Up/Down arrows to open the list of all available layers.
DotPoint4.JPG select the destination layer from the list. The object(s) will then be moved to the selected layer - you will be given a warning if the move has failed (usually because an objects layer is locked)


NotePad.PNG Also see:-
PageLink.PNG Assigning Objects to a Different Layer for more details on the Layer Controls in the Info Palette
WikiLink.PNG How to Use Layers for detailed information on Layers


Fine Adjustment: Scenery Mesh Objects

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png Individual "non-spline" scenery objects that are not attached to track are often referred to in Trainz terminology as Scenery Mesh Objects.

 Fine Adjustment: Move a Scenery Mesh Object 

To move an object with the Fine Adjustment Tool choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Left Click and Drag anywhere on the selected object (except on an Anchor line) to move it freely in any horizontal direction
OR
Bblue.png Left Click and Drag on an Anchor line to move or rotate it in the direction of the line or arc
These operations can also be performed on a group of selected objects. The 3D Anchor Frame will be on the last object added to the group.


 Blue  vertical Anchor movement
FineAdjustZMove S20.png
   Green  Anchor rotation
FineAdjustYawMove S20.png
   Red  Anchor rotation
FineAdjustPitchMove S20.png
   Blue  Anchor rotation
FineAdjustRotateXYMove S20.png


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Not all objects will have  Red  or  Green  Rotational Anchors
DotPoint.JPG Objects can be restored to their original height and rotation settings by opening their Context Menu and choosing one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Reset Object Rotation  to cancel the rotation changes, OR
Bblue.png  Settle on Ground  to cancel the height change
DotPoint.JPG The  Randomise Object Rotation  option in the Context Menu only affects rotations around the vertical axis - the  Blue  Rotational Anchor.


 Fine Adjustment: Set the Height of a Scenery Mesh Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Scenery Mesh objects can be raised above and lowered below the ground level.
PencilTips.PNG You can copy the height of a selected scenery mesh object (e.g. a house) into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object.
 
Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the  Height  setting:-
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click in the  Height  setting in the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Get Height from Selection  option
 
You can check the height of any selected object or endpoint using the Info Palette. The height is the last value in the Pos: (Position) data set.
InfoPaletteShowHeight S20.png


To set the height of a selected scenery mesh object, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Left Click and Drag Up/Down on the  Blue  vertical Anchor line.  Movement is restricted to the length of the Anchor line only , OR
Bblue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then press the  Enter  key. This works even if the  Height  icon is not coloured  Gold . OR
Cblue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then Right Click in the setting box and select the  Set Height to Selection  option, OR
Dblue.png select the  Apply Height  option from the objects Context Menu ( Left Click  on the objects Context Icon or press the  T  key) to apply an existing height value, OR
Eblue.png in the Info Palette enter a value in the objects  z  (height) setting or Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).
NotePad.PNG Notes:

If multiple objects have been selected then the height of the context object, the one with the Context Icon, will have its height set to the new value. All other selected objects will have their heights adjusted to maintain their height relative to that object. For example: If another selected object is 2m below the context object then its adjusted height will always remain 2m below the context object


 Fine Adjustment: Scenery Mesh Object Context Menu 

A selected scenery mesh object, or a group of selected scenery mesh objects, will have a Context Icon that opens a Context Menu.  Left Click  on the icon or press the  T  key. The icon design will vary between object types.


Scenery Mesh Object Context Menu
ContextMenuMeshObject S20.png
 Cut  remove the selected object or objects from the route and move them into the Scrapbook
 Copy  copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook
 Paste  paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point
 Delete  delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key
 Replace Object with Selected Asset  the selected object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If no object has been selected in the Assets Palette or it is the wrong type (e.g. a scenery spline instead of a mesh object) then this option will be greyed out
 Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected objects. The Tool Options Palette brush settings ( Radius  and  Sensitivity ) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out.
 Smooth Ground Under Selected  smooths the height of the ground under the selected object to match the set height of the object. The size of the area affected will depend on which has the greater value: the width of the object OR the Tool Options Palette  Radius  setting. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the ground height will be set to match, as far as possible, the heights of each 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 selected object to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Where multiple objects have been selected the context object, the one with the Context Icon, will have its height set to the  Height  value and the other selected objects will have their heights adjusted up or down by the same amount
 Reset Object Rotation  resets the rotation angle of the objects to their default values
 Randomise Object Rotation  applies a random  Blue  Rotation Anchor angle to each object around its vertical axis
 Select in Assets Palette  highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette
 Edit Details  opens the Properties window of the selected object. Note: to enter or edit an objects name property use the Info Palette


Fine Adjustment: Track Objects

Skip Down) Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, markers, etc) are always attached to an existing track
BlueDot10x10.png In Surveyor 2.0 they can be moved left, right, above and below the track

 Fine Adjustment: Move a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Track objects can be dragged to new positions along and beside the track or to a different track
FineAdjustTrackObject S20.png
To move a selected track object horizontally, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png For movements along the track only - Left Click and Drag:-
DotPoint.JPG the objects Anchor Point (the yellow dot in the centre of the track), OR
DotPoint.JPG on its  Green  horizontal Anchor line (movement is restricted to the Anchor line)
Bblue.png For movements left or right of the track - Left Click and Drag
DotPoint.JPG on the  Red  horizontal Anchor line (movement is restricted to the Anchor line), OR
DotPoint.JPG on the Object Anchor (the black dot) to get unrestricted horizontal movement including to a different track
For most track objects the Rotational Anchors have no effect
FineAdjustTrackObjectMoveH S20.png
PencilTips.PNGSituations where it is useful to be able to move a track object away from the track include:-
DotPoint.JPG placing Track Marks and Triggers above (see next section) 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


BlueDot10x10.png Track objects that have been moved away from or closer to the track will still function normally.

 Fine Adjustment: Set the Height of a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Track objects can be raised above and lowered below the track level.
PencilTips.PNG You can copy the height of a selected track mesh object (e.g. a signal) into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object.
 
Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the  Height  setting:-
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click in the  Height  setting in the Tool Options Palette
DotPoint2.JPG select the  Get Height from Selection  option


FineAdjustTrackObjectMoveH S20.png

Throw Lever track object level with track
FineAdjustTrackObjectMoveHV S20.png

After being moved vertically
To set the height of a selected track object, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Left Click and Drag Up/Down on the  Blue  vertical Anchor line.  Movement is restricted to the length of the Anchor line only , OR
Bblue.png in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting, enter a value followed by the  Enter  key OR
Cblue.png in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting, enter a value then Right Click and select  Set Height to Selection  OR
Dblue.png from the objects Context Menu select the  Apply Height  option to apply an existing height setting, OR
Eblue.png in the Info Palette enter a value in the objects  z  (height) setting or Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).


PencilTips.PNGA situation where it might be useful to raise a signal above the track level would be to place it higher up on the wall of a cutting


BlueDot10x10.png Track objects that have been "height adjusted" will still function normally and can still be moved along the track without reversing the height change .


NotePad.PNG For most track objects the Rotational Anchors have no effect


 Fine Adjustment: Set the Trigger Radius of a Track Object 

BlueDot10x10.png Certain track objects have a Trigger Radius that sets how close a consist must approach the object to trigger its action
Track objects that have a Trigger Radius include:-
DotPoint.JPG Track marks such as Track Markers, Priority Markers and Direction Markers
DotPoint.JPG Track Triggers
DotPoint.JPG Whistle Signs
PencilTips.PNG It is a good idea to adjust the trigger radius of these objects so that they do not overlap a track junction


The current Trigger Radius of these objects is shown by the size of the "wings" (Red or Green depending on the type of object) attached to the object and, in some cases, a distance value below the name of the object. Both of these options are shown in the image below.


MarkerTriggerRadius S20.png On one side of the track object is a green Trigger Radius dot that allows the radius value to be adjusted up or down.
NotePad.PNG If no Trigger Radius dot or Red/Green Wings appear on the track object then it does not have an adjustable Trigger Radius


Steps: To adjust the Trigger Radius of a track object:-
DotPoint1.JPG use the Fine Adjustment Tool to select the track object
PencilTips.PNG Move your camera POV (Point of View) to directly above the track object before adjusting its Trigger Radius. This will make the adjustment as quick and as smooth as possible.
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click and Drag  forward or back on the Trigger Radius dot. The dot will not move but the "wings" that indicate the radius on the track and the displayed radius value will increase or decrease
DotPoint3.JPG when the radius reaches the required size release the mouse button


PencilTips.PNG This action can also be performed on existing track objects using the Free Move Tool


 Fine Adjustment: Track Object Context Menu 

A selected track mesh object, or a group of selected track mesh objects, will have a Context Icon that opens a Context Menu. The icon design will vary between object types.

To open a selected track objects Context Menu choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  the Context Icon ContextIconsTrackObjects S20.png OR
Bblue.png Press the  T  key


Track Object Context Menu
ContextMenuTrackObject S20.png
 Cut  remove the selected object or objects from the route and move them into the Scrapbook
 Copy  copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook
 Paste  paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point
 Delete  delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key
 Replace Object with Selected Asset  the selected object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If the asset selected in the Assets Palette is the wrong type (e.g. a scenery spline) then this option will be greyed out
 Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected objects. The Tool Options Palette brush settings ( Radius  and  Sensitivity ) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out.
 Smooth Ground Under Selected  smooths the height of the ground under the selected object to match the set height of the object. For track objects the size of the area affected will depend on the Tool Options Palette  Radius  setting
 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 selected object to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Where multiple objects have been selected the context object, the one with the Context Icon, will have its height set to the  Height  value and the other selected objects will have their heights adjusted up or down by the same amount
 Reattach to Track  if the object has been moved away from the track then it will be reset to its correct position on the track. This option will be greyed out if the object is already attached to the track
 Rotate Trackside  reverses the position of the object on the track to the other side and facing the opposite direction
 Change Junction Direction  if the object is a track switch then its switch direction will be reversed
 Select in Assets Palette  highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette
 Edit Details  opens the Properties window of the selected rolling stock object. Note: to enter or edit an objects name property use the PageLink.PNG Info Palette


NotePad.PNG Notes:

  Track objects can be restored to their original height and position (on the track) by opening their Context Menu and choosing one of the following:-
Options:
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
Steps: To rotate a track object:-
DotPoint1.JPG Open the track objects Context Menu ( Left 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.


Fine Adjustment: Spline Objects (Including Track)

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png 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.


 Fine Adjustment: Spline Troubleshooting Tip 

PencilTips.PNG Quickly Locate Broken Splines and Tracks
  To quickly check for broken links in a spline or track Double Left Click on a segment. All the correctly joined segments upto the next junction or last endpoint (in both directions) will be highlighted. The highlighting will stop at a broken join (a "last" endpoint)


 Fine Adjustment: Moving Splines 

Moving a spline can involve moving one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png moving an endpoint, OR
Bblue.png moving a segment, OR
Cblue.png moving multiple segments including the entire length of the spline (between junctions)


Fine Adjustment: Move a Spline Endpoint

FineAdjustSplineEndPoint S20.png

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

Steps: 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 one of the following:-
Options:
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


Fine Adjustment: Move a Spline Segment or Multiple Segments

FineAdjustSplineSegment S20.png The 3D Anchor Frame shown is for a spline segment.
Steps: To move spline segments:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Fine Adjustment Tool.
DotPoint2.JPG Select,  Left Click  on, the spline segment to be moved.
PencilTips.PNG To select:-
DotPoint.JPG more than one segment -  Shift  +  Left Click  on each segment
DotPoint.JPG ALL the segments - Double Left Click on a segment. This will the select segments in both directions from the segment clicked upto the next junction or the final endpoint
DotPoint3.JPG Left Click and Drag one of the following:-
 
Options:
Ablue.png an Anchor Line to move the segment or segments in that specific direction, OR
Bblue.png anywhere in a segment to move it in any direction in the horizontal plane


DotPoint.JPG To remove individual spline segments from the selection simply  Shift  +  Left Click  on each segment to be removed.
DotPoint.JPG To remove ALL the segments from a selection,  Double Left Click  on any highlighted segment OR  Left Click  anywhere outside the selected segments.


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.

PencilTips.PNG A temporary spline endpoint can be made permanent by selecting the  Insert Spline Point Here  option from its Context Menu
FineAdjustSplineSegmentXYMove S20.png
Segment moved to the right along the  Red  horizontal Anchor line
FineAdjustSplineSegmentZMove S20.png
Segment moved up along the  Blue  vertical Anchor line
NotePad.PNG

 Red   Green   Blue  straight anchor lines will move the whole segment along the direction of the line

FineAdjustSplineSegmentRotate S20.png
Segment rotated anti-clockwise around the  Blue  rotational Anchor arc line
FineAdjustSplineSegmentPitch S20.png
Segment rotated clockwise around the  Red  rotational Anchor arc line
NotePad.PNG

 Red   Blue  curved anchor lines will rotate the whole segment around the axis of the same colour

 Green  curved anchor line has no effect


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


NotePad.PNG Notes: Superelevation for Trainz Geekz

In the real world rail tracks have a property called Superelevation which is used on curves. The track is tilted so that the outside track is raised slightly above the level of the inside track. This allows higher train speeds around the curve. The degree of tilting or superelevation that has to be applied depends on the curve radius, the track gauge and the maximum allowed train speed for that curve.

In the Trainz World track splines can also have superelevation. This feature is found in the  Edit Details  option in the Context Menu of track spline endpoints.
See PageLink.PNG Spline Object Context Menus

Adding superelevation would have been the function of the  Green  curved anchor line but its correct application is more complex than a simple rotation around the track spline axis. For more information see the Trainz Wiki Page at WikiLink.PNG How to Use Superelevation


 Fine Adjustment: Add a Spline Junction 

BlueDot10x10.png A junction is formed when three spline segments are joined at an endpoint. Junctions can be formed using non identical but compatible spline objects, such as different types of track splines.


NotePad.PNG The Fine Adjustment Tool cannot be used to add a junction, you MUST USE the Placement Tool


SplineJunction S20.png
Steps: To add a junction to a spline object:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the spline object to be used for the junction. The easiest method is hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on an existing spline object that you want to use. This will also select the Placement Tool in Step  2  below so you can skip to Step  3 
DotPoint2.JPG Select the Placement Tool from the Tools Palette
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  on the spline at the spot where the junction is to be created. This can be on an existing endpoint or between two endpoints where a new endpoint will be inserted
DotPoint4.JPG move the mouse pointer out from the junction to where the next endpoint of the spline branch will be placed and  Left Click 


Steps: To remove a junction but keep all its spline segments:-
DotPoint1.JPG select ( Left Click  on) the junction endpoint
DotPoint2.JPG open the endpoint Context Menu by a  Left Click  on its Context Icon SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png or by pressing the  T  key
DotPoint3.JPG select the  Separate Splines  menu option (this will separate ALL the spline segments that meet at that endpoint)
NotePad.PNG
DotPoint.JPG A junction can be removed by deleting any spline segment that connects to it
DotPoint.JPG A junction endpoint can be moved by using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool


 Fine Adjustment: Add a Track Junction 

BlueDot10x10.png A track junction is formed using track splines in the same way as described above but track junctions have additional features


PlacementTrackJunction S20.png
When a junction is created using Track Spline Objects, a junction switch will be automatically added.
DotPoint.JPG the switch will be the one specified in the Region listed in the Route Properties. The region and its switch can be changed by opening the SurveyorEditIcon.png Surveyor Edit Menu and selecting  Edit Route... . If no region has been specified then a default switch (as shown left) will be used
DotPoint.JPG use the PageLink.PNG Free Move Tool or the PageLink.PNG Fine Adjustment Tool to move or delete the switch and to open its Context Menu for editing


LinkWiki.PNG

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

How to Create a Region Asset


NotePad.PNG Using Procedural Tracks
If the track object used is a Procedural Track and the junction is formed with another Procedural Track then the junction endpoint dot will be coloured:-
DotPoint.JPG RED (as shown above) if the junction exceeds the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction. This will not stop the junction from working but it will not display the special features only found in Procedural Tracks, OR
DotPointBlack.JPG BLACK if the junction is within the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction and it will display all the Procedural Track special features
A procedural track junction can be changed from red to black by adjusting the height and/or position (depending on the exact cause of the problem) of the junction endpoint and the endpoints on either side of the junction. See the Wiki Page WikiLink.PNG How to Use Procedural Track for more details
A junction between two non-procedural tracks and between a procedural track and a non-procedural track will always have a red endpoint dot


 Fine Adjustment: Set a Spline Height 

Copying a Spline Objects Height

PencilTips.PNG You can copy the height of a spline segment or endpoint into the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object. Choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Use the Eyedropper to copy the height of a spline segment
Steps: To copy the Height of a spline segment (but not an endpoint):-
DotPoint1.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment
DotPoint2.JPG while holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the spline segment
NotePad.PNG
DotPoint.JPG When the eyedropper is active spline endpoints will not be visible and cannot be selected
DotPoint.JPG If the segment has a slope then the height at the point clicked will be copied into the  Height  setting
DotPoint.JPG This will also select the clicked object in the Assets Palette and it will become the next object added by a  Left Click  with the Placement Tool in your Trainz World
  OR
Bblue.png Use the  Height  setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Height of a spline segment or one of its endpoints:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the spline segment or endpoint
DotPoint2.JPG Right Click in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting box
DotPoint3.JPG Select the  Get Height from Selection  option
NotePad.PNG If the spline segment has a slope then the height at its midpoint will be used


Setting a Spline Objects Height

To set the height of a selected spline (including track) or endpoint, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the vertical  Blue  anchor line in the 3D Anchor Frame. OR
Bblue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then press the  Enter  key. This works even if the  Height  icon is not coloured  Gold . OR
Cblue.png  Left Click  in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting and enter a new value (or keep the existing value) then Right Click in the setting box and select the  Set Height to Selection  option, OR
Dblue.png select the  Apply Height  option from the objects Context Menu ( Left Click  on the objects Context Icon or press the  T  key) to apply an existing height value, OR
Eblue.png in the Info Palette enter a value in the objects  z  (height) setting or Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the double arrowheads to its right. This can be used to set the height to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).


Steps: To set the heights of multiple spline segments to the value stored in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting:-
SelectedSplines S20.png
DotPoint1.JPG Select the spline segments using:-
DotPointBlueSquare.png  Shift  +  Left Click  to select individual segments, OR
DotPointBlueSquare.png Double Left Click to select all the segments up to the next junction (in both directions).
DotPoint2.JPG Select one of the options Ablue.png, Bblue.png, Cblue.png, Dblue.png or Eblue.png described above
SelectedSplinesHeight S20.png ALL the selected spline segments and their endpoints will be set to the specified height.


 Fine Adjustment: Set a Spline Gradient 

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 a cliff face, would have an infinite grade (cliff height divided by 0) which is currently impossible in Surveyor.


Copying an Existing Gradient

PencilTips.PNG You can copy the current Grade of any spline segment into the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object that has a Grade setting. Choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png Use the Eyedropper
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment (but not an endpoint):-
DotPoint1.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment
DotPoint2.JPG while holding down the  Alt  key  Left Click  on the spline segment
NotePad.PNG When the eyedropper is active spline endpoints will not be visible and cannot be selected. This option will also change the asset selected in the Assets Palette to the object clicked and it will become the next object added by a  Left Click  with the Placement Tool
The height at the point clicked will also be copied into the  Height  setting
  OR
Bblue.png Use the  Grade  setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment or one of its endpoints:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the spline segment or endpoint
DotPoint2.JPG Right Click in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting box
DotPoint3.JPG Select the  Get Grade from Selection  option


Setting a Spline Gradient

Steps: To set the gradients of multiple spline segments to the value stored in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting:-
SelectedSplines S20.png
DotPoint1.JPG Select the spline segments using:-
DotPointBlueSquare.png  Shift  +  Left Click  to select individual segments, OR
DotPointBlueSquare.png Double Left Click to select all the segments up to the next junction (in both directions).
NotePad.PNG To apply the same gradient to all the selected segments make sure that the first segment has the context icons
DotPoint2.JPG Open the Context Menu of the first or starting endpoint ( Left Click  on the icon SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png)
DotPoint3.JPG Select the option  Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint 
SelectedSplinesGradient S20.png The selected spline segments are now set to the specified gradient.
NotePad.PNG If the selected endpoint is NOT at the start of the highlighted segments then the gradient will be applied in both directions from that endpoint as shown below.

SelectedSplinesGradientUShape S20.png

Once the height and/or gradient of the spline segments have been set then other effects can be added.
From the Context Menu of the highlighted segments, select the options:-
 Smooth Ground Under Selected   to smooth the ground surface under a spline object to match its height, and
 Paint Under Selected  to paint the currently selected ground texture under the spline using the settings in the Tool Options Palette
SelectedSplinesGradientSmoothPaint S20.png


 Fine Adjustment: Spline Object Context Menus 

A selected scenery spline object, or a group of selected scenery spline 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 choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  the Context Icon SplineContextIcons S20.png OR
Bblue.png Press the  T  key


NotePad.PNG Notes: Using the  T  key with splines

SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.png
TrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png
If a spline segment has been selected then pressing the  T  key will open the Segment Context Menu and the Menu options you select or edit will apply to the whole segment or all selected segments
 
SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png If a spline end point has been selected then pressing the  T  key will open the End Point Context Menu and the Menu options you select or edit will only apply to that particular endpoint
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Splines have two different Context Icons that lead to two slightly different Context Menus.
DotPoint.JPG one context icon and menu for each endpoint SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png
DotPoint.JPG one context icon and menu for the segment SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png
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 Double Left Click then the segment that was clicked will have the icons.


Spline Context Menus
SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png  Endpoint Context Menu 
ContextMenuSplineObject S20.png
SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png  Segment Context Menu 
ContextMenuSplineSegment S20.png
NotePad.PNG Notes:

The  Edit Details  option is only available for Track splines. The properties that can be edited will depend on whether you have selected a Track Segment or a Track Endpoint.

DotPoint.JPG Endpoint Details - the track Superelevation properties for that endpoint. Superelevation is a feature used on curves to raise the height of the outside track of the curve slightly above the height of the inside track. This allows higher speeds around curves.
For more information on Superelevation see the Trainz Wiki Page at WikiLink.PNG How to Use Superelevation
DotPoint.JPG Segment Details - the track Condition property for that segment.
Track Condition is the "smoothness" of the ride over a track segment
100% = perfect 50% = average 1% = extremely poor
You can also select multiple track segments and set their track Condition by editing their combined  Condition  value in the Tool Options Palette.


 Cut  remove the selected segment or segments from the route and move them into the Scrapbook (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Copy  copy the selected segment or segments and place them into the Scrapbook (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Paste  paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point
 Delete  delete the segment, segments or endpoint. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key
 Replace Spline with Selected Asset  the highlighted spline will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette. If the asset selected in the Assets Palette is the wrong type (e.g. a mesh object instead of a scenery spline) then this option will be greyed out (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected objects. The Tool Options Palette brush settings ( Radius  and  Sensitivity ) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Smooth Ground Under Selected  smooths the height of the ground under the selected spline to match its set height. If multiple spline segments have been selected then the ground under all the segments will be smoothed to their height. The size of the area affected will depend on which has the greater value: the width of the spline OR the Tool Options Palette  Radius  setting. Does not work for endpoints SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png
 Settle on Ground  sets the height of the selected endpoint or segments 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 selected endpoint to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting (SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png only)
PencilTips.PNGYou can copy the Height from an existing spline endpoint into the  Height  setting of the Tool Options Palette. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object.
DotPoint.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on the spline endpoint to copy its Height value. That value can then be used to set the Height of other spline endpoints
 Apply Height  sets the height of the selected segment or segments to the value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint  you must first select a segment then click on one of its endpoint icons SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png. This sets the height of the endpoint to give a Grade to the surrounding segments that matches the value in the Tool Options Palette  Grade  setting
PencilTips.PNGYou can copy the Grade from an existing spline segment into the  Grade  setting of the Tool Options Palette. Once it has been copied it can be applied to any other object.
DotPoint.JPG hold down the  Alt  key and  Left Click  on the spline segment to copy its Grade value. That value can then be used to set the Grade of other spline segments
 Straighten Spline  forces a straight line (as far as possible) between the endpoints of a single segment. This option will be Tick.PNG ticked if the segment has already been straightened in which case selecting this option will "un-straighten" the segment and remove the tick (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Separate Splines  breaks two spline segments into two separate (independent) splines at the selected endpoint (SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png only)
 Merge Splines  removes the selected endpoint between two segments and merges the segments into one (SplineEndpointContextIcon S20.png only). Two segments can also be merged by deleting a selected endpoint with the  Delete  key
 Insert Spline Point Here  splits the selected segment into two segments by adding a new endpoint at the point where the segment was clicked (SplineSegmentContextIcon S20.pngTrackSegmentContextIcon S20.png only)
 Select in Assets Palette  highlights the selected spline object in the Assets Palette
 Edit Details  opens the Properties window of the selected spline object. This option is only available for Track splines. Note: to enter or edit an objects name property use the Info Palette


Fine Adjustment: Rolling Stock Objects

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png Rolling Stock Objects (locomotives, wagons, etc) can only be moved along the track that they are attached to. If they are moved off the track then they will immediately "snap back" to the nearest track when they are released.

 Fine Adjustment: Move Rolling Stock Objects 

Use the Fine Adjustment tool to move a selected rolling stock object along the track.

PencilTips.PNGTo move an entire consist of rolling stock objects, Double Left Click on any one of the objects in the consist to select them all and then move them as one object


FineAdjustRollingStock S20.png
link- Despite their presence in the Fine Adjustment Tool 3D Anchor Frame the  Red   Green   Blue  Rotational Anchor lines and the  Blue  Vertical Anchor Line will NOT work on Rolling Stock Objects
link- The Object Anchor (the central dot) will move the selected rolling stock object or objects in any horizontal direction but they will always be attached to the nearest track spline
link- The  Green  Horizontal Anchor Line will move the selected rolling stock object or objects along the track
link- The  Red  Horizontal Anchor Line will move the selected rolling stock object or objects horizontally off the track but they will always be attached to the nearest track spline


NotePad.PNG Notes:

It is possible to place a rolling stock object so that it "overlaps" (occupies the same space as) another rolling stock object. A large yellow X rotating above the rolling stock object is a sign of this "conflict".

  PlacementRollingStockCollision S20.png This can happen if a rolling stock object is moved off the track and released. It will instantly snap to the nearest track position even if that position is already occupied.


The simple solution is to use the Fine Adjustment Tool to move the incorrectly placed object to an unoccupied section of the track.


 Fine Adjustment: Decouple Rolling Stock Objects 

BlueDot10x10.png All decoupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects are performed using just a Left Click and Drag.


PencilTips.PNGTo decouple a rake of joined rolling stock objects from a consist (for example, the first or last 5 wagons),  Shift  +  Left Click  on each of the objects to be selected and then drag them away from the consist


A rolling stock object or objects in the middle of a consist can also be decoupled. This will break the consist into 3 sections.

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple5 S20.png

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple5A S20.png

Steps: To decouple rolling stock from a consist:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select one ( Left Click ) or more ( Shift  +  Left Click ) rolling stock objects inside a consist
If more than one object is selected, then they:-
DotPoint.JPG do not have to be connected to each other
DotPoint.JPG should be in the same consist - the results may be "unexpected" if the objects are selected and dragged out from different consists


DotPoint2.JPG Left Click and Drag the object or objects out of the consist and onto an Unoccupied section of track
DotPoint.JPG do not release the mouse button until you have the rolling stock objects in position otherwise they will simply "snap back" to the nearest track, regardless of whether it is already occupied or not. Think of the yellow connecting line between the wagon and the track shown in the image as if it is a "stretched rubber band"
DotPoint.JPG The rotating yellow X floating above the selected and now disconnected consist in the image indicates that it has been "derailed" from the track. This will disappear when it is "rerailled" again


 Fine Adjustment: Couple Rolling Stock Objects 

BlueDot10x10.png All coupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects can be performed using just a Left Click and Drag or through the objects Context Menu.

Options:

Ablue.png Using "Click and Drag"

Consider the following simple situation:-

The guard van (caboose) standing at the rear of a consist has to be coupled to the rear gondola wagon.
FreeMoveRollingStockCouple1 S20.png

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple2 S20.png
Steps: To Couple rolling stock objects:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select ( Left Click ) the rolling stock object (in this case the guard van) to be coupled to a consist or another rolling stock object (in this case the gondola)
DotPoint.JPG If more than one object has to be selected then use a  Shift  +  Left Click  to individually select each object
DotPoint.JPG If ALL the objects in a consist have to be selected then use a Double Left Click on any object in the consist
DotPoint2.JPG Left Click and Drag the object (the guard van) along the track to its target object or consist. When dragged rolling stock objects will "drop" or lower their height a few cms
DotPoint.JPG If the selected object (or objects) is already part of a consist then dragging will decouple it from the consist before moving it
DotPoint.JPG When it reaches the target object and couples it cannot be moved any further
DotPoint3.JPG Release the object when it has coupled and it will return to its correct height


NotePad.PNG If the two objects do not couple check that both are on the same track


Bblue.png Using the Context Menu

Using the same situation as above, the isolated guard van and the gondola wagon at the end of a consist are to be coupled together.

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple3 S20.png
Steps:
DotPoint1.JPG Select,  Shift  +  Left Click , on both objects
PencilTips.PNGThe order of selection IS important. Select the "destination" object, where the others will be coupled, last

The Context Icon will appear on the last rolling stock object selected.

DotPoint2.JPG Open the Rolling Stock Object Context Menu by choosing one of the following:-

Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  on the Context Icon of the last selected rolling stock object, OR
Bblue.png press the  T  key

DotPoint3.JPG Select the option  Merge into Single Train 


There are two possible outcomes depending on which object has the Context Icon

DotPoint1RedC.png Context Icon on the Gondola Wagon

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple3A S20.png
Using the Merge into Single Train option with the Context Icon on the gondola wagon at the end of the consist. The guard van couples to the gondola wagon and the consist

DotPoint2RedC.png Context Icon on the Guard Van

FreeMoveRollingStockCouple4A S20.png
Using the Merge into Single Train option with the Context Icon on the guard van. The gondola wagon decouples from the consist and couples to the guard van


Using a more complex example involving multiple objects from several different consists. The selected wagons shown below are to form a single consist based on the loco.
FreeMoveRollingStockMultiMerge1 S20.png
The loco was the last object to be selected so it has the Context Icon. The Context Menu is opened and the option  Merge into Single Train  is selected with the result as shown below.
FreeMoveRollingStockMultiMerge2 S20.png
The wagons and loco have been combined into a single consist but not necessarily in a useful order. Left Click and Drag the incorrectly placed vehicles to their correct positions.


 Fine Adjustment: Rolling Stock Object Context Menu 

A selected rolling stock object, or a group of selected rolling stock objects, will have a Context Icon that opens a Context Menu. The icon design will vary between object types.
To open a selected rolling stock object's Context Menu choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png  Left Click  its Context Icon ContextIconsRollingStock S20.png OR
Bblue.png Press the  T  key
PencilTips.PNG You cannot add rolling stock assets to a Scrapbook but you can create and save Consist Assets that have multiple rolling stock objects
Steps: To create a Consist Asset:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the consist -  Double Left Click  on the consist or  Shift  +  Left Click  on individual items
DotPoint2.JPG open the consist Context Menu -  Left Click  on its icon or press the  T  key
DotPoint3.JPG select the option  Save to Consist Asset... 
DotPoint4.JPG enter a name and an optional description for your new Consist Asset and click the Tick.PNG icon
The consist will appear as a Train Asset in the Assets Palette


Rolling Stock Object Context Menu
ContextMenuRollingStock S20.png


NotePad.PNG You cannot set a Height value for a rolling stock object. It will always take the same height as the track on which it is placed
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Unlike other Context Menus, the  Cut  and  Copy  menu options are not selectable for Rolling Stock Objects because these objects cannot be added to a Scrapbook. The  Save to Consist Asset...  option performs some of the Scrapbook functions for rolling stock (see Tips above).
 Paste  the contents of the current Scrapbook will be pasted at the cursor (focus) point
 Delete  the selected rolling stock objects will be deleted. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key
 Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the selected objects. The Tool Options Palette brush settings ( Radius  and  Sensitivity ) will control how the texture is applied. If no ground texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then this option will be greyed out.
 Smooth Ground Under Selected  smooths the height of the ground under the rolling stock object to match its height
 Reattach to Track  this option is only selecteable if a rolling stock object has derailed
 Rotate Vehicle  rotates (reverses) the facing direction of a selected rolling stock object. If more than one object has been selected then they will all have their directions reversed but they will remain in the same order
 Change Consist Heading  reverses the consist heading as indicated by the directions of the red and green arrows above the start and end of the consist
 Rotate Consist Heading  the entire consist is reversed, both in the order of the vehicles and the direction they face
 Merge into Single Train  when two or more separate rolling stock assets have been selected they will be coupled into a single consist. See PageLink.PNG Coupling Rolling Stock Objects for more details
 Save to Consist Asset...  saves the selected rolling stock objects as a new consist asset in the Assets Palette
 Select in Assets Palette  highlights the selected rolling stock object in the Assets Palette
 Edit Details  opens the Properties window of the selected rolling stock object. Note: to enter or edit an objects name property use the Info Palette


Fine Adjustment: Object Height Problem Solutions

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
Two Anchor Points on the  Blue  vertical Anchor line determine the height of an endpoint or an object above the ground.
BlueDot10x10.png the height of a Rolling Stock Object (locomotive, wagon, etc) CANNOT be altered
BlueDot10x10.png the Object Height Anchor, which is normally Black but turns Green when it is selected, controls the height of the object (including spline Endpoints) above the ground. This Anchor point can be moved vertically by the tool pointer
BlueDot10x10.png the Ground Height Anchor, which is Yellow, marks the position of the object on the ground. This Anchor point cannot be moved vertically by the tool pointer but its height can be changed by setting the Tool Options Palette  Height  value
It is common for both height anchors to be at the same height but there are many situation where the two will be at different heights. The examples below show situations where the two are at different heights and the height of the Object Height Anchor will need to be adjusted.


FineAdjustSplineHeightUp.png  Object Height Above Ground Height 


Steps: To bring the object height down to the ground height:-
DotPoint1.JPG Left Click and Drag downwards on the  Blue  vertical Anchor line to bring the Object Height Anchor down to the same level as the Ground Height Anchor


PencilTips.PNGTo achieve finer and more accurate control when moving the height Anchor point, choose one of the following:-
Options:
Ablue.png zoom in closer to the Anchor point, OR
Bblue.png use the  z  fine adjustment arrows in the Info Palette object Pos controls. This can be used to set the height and position to cm accuracy (see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette below).


FineAdjustSplineHeightDown.png  Object Height Below Ground Height 


Steps: To bring the object height up to the ground height:-
DotPoint1.JPG Left Click and Drag upwards on the  Blue  vertical Anchor line to bring the Object Height Anchor up to the same level as the Ground Height Anchor

FineAdjustSplineHeightOK.png


link Where this method fails is when the height difference between the two Anchor points exceeds the length of the  Blue  vertical Anchor line so the Ground Height Anchor or the Object Height Anchor is at the very top of the Anchor line. Once it is in that position the Object Height Anchor can no longer be moved up or down because there is no vertical Anchor line to grab.



PencilTips.PNGThe Quick Solution to this problem
Steps: Use the  Settle on Ground  option:-
DotPoint1.JPG open the object or endpont Context Menu
DotPoint2.JPG select the option  Settle on Ground . For splines this option will force the spline segment to follow the contours of the ground but it will now be at the same height as the ground


A more complex alternative method is to use the Surveyor Compass Rose, the Info Palette and the Tool Options Palette.

FineAdjustSplineSetFocus.png
The Surveyor Compass Rose
Steps: Use the Compass Rose:-
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click on the terrain at a point which has the height that will be used by the object. This will position the Surveyor Compass Rose and record its data as the Focus
DotPoint2.JPG Open the Focus controls in the Info Palette by a  Left Click  on the small Right Arrowhead to the left of the Focus label
InfoPaletteFocusUseHeight.png The Info Palette stores the positional data, including the Height (the  z  value), of the Compass Rose under the label Focus
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  on the white Down Arrowhead next to the  z  value and select the menu option  Use Height for Brush . This will transfer the Focus  z  value to the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting
DotPoint4.JPG Open the Context Menu for the object (or spline endpoint)
DotPoint5.JPG Select the option  Apply Height  or  Apply Height to this Spline Endpoint 


The Marquee Tool

Skip Down Skip Up Top Next Up Next Down Bottom
S20 MarqueeToolIcon.png Keyboard Shortcut:  F 


Some features of this tool use the Scrapbook Palette, Assets Palette and Tool Options Palette. If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.


Marquee Tools
 Tool Targets  The Marquee Tool has no Target options so it has no drop down menu list
This tool has a range of tasks:-
DotPoint.JPG Select objects for moving, deleting and copying into a scrapbook
DotPoint.JPG Add and delete one or multiple baseboards
DotPoint.JPG Set the grid resolution of one or multiple baseboards
DotPoint.JPG Set the texture and height of an area including multiple baseboards
 Tool Actions  The Marquee Tool has no Action options so it has no drop down menu list


BlueDot10x10.png The Marquee Tool draws out a rectangular area, the Marquee Selection Area, on the route. Any objects (including ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers) that are inside the Marquee Selection Area or touched by its boundary will be selected.


Steps: To draw out a Marquee Selection Area:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Marquee Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the  F  key)
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click and Drag  over the area to be selected
PencilTips.PNG You can use the Assets Palette filters to restrict the objects that will be selected in the Marquee Selection Area. See PageLink.PNG Marquee Assets Filter below for more details


MarqueeSelectArea S20.png

In the image above:-
DotPoint.JPG a road spline at the bottom and a house at the lower left of the Marquee Selection Area have been touched by the drawn rectangle so they have been included in the selection.
DotPoint.JPG the Marquee Selection Area was drawn from the top left to the bottom right which places the Marquee Context Icon MarqueeContextIcon S20.png at the bottom right of the rectangle.
DotPoint.JPG the bottom right of the Marquee Selection Area also has a 3D Anchor Frame.
NotePad.PNG Like the Fine Adjustment Tool, a Marquee Selection Area has a 3D Anchor Frame. The Marquee Anchors are used to move and rotate the objects within the selection area (including ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers) through 3D space
DotPoint.JPG The road spline was the last object that was included in the selection area so its Context Icons are also present.
Not shown in the image, because they are not highlighted, are the Ground Heights, Ground Textures and Effect Layers that are also included in the Marquee Selection Area.
MarqueeAreaTools S20.png The Marquee Selection Area 3D Anchor Frame has some similarities to the one used with the Fine Adjustment Tool.
DotPoint.JPG the  Green  and  Red  horizontal Anchors will move the Marquee and all its contents horizontally in the Anchor direction
DotPoint.JPG the  Blue  vertical Anchor will move the Marquee with all its contents up or down in the Anchor direction
DotPoint.JPG the  Blue  rotational Anchor will rotate the Marquee with all its contents in the direction of the rotation movement
DotPoint.JPG there are no  Green  and  Red  rotational Anchors
DotPoint.JPG at the centre of the 3D Anchor Frame is a Select Area Anchor. Left Click and Drag this Anchor point to move the Marquee with all its contents in any horizontal direction
DotPoint.JPG each of the  Green  and  Red  horizontal Anchors has a resize Anchor, an orange coloured dot, located at its end. Left Click and Drag these Anchor points to resize the Marquee Selection Area (and its contents) in that specific direction. Objects that are in locked layers will not be affected by the resize action


The Marquee Tool and the Assets Palette Filter

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png The Assets Palette filter tools can be used to restrict the objects selected by the Marquee Tool.
AssetsPaletteFilterSelection S20.png
Steps: To restrict the objects selected by the Marquee Tool:-
DotPoint1.JPG set the Filter Type in the Assets Palette to  Filter Selection 
DotPoint2.JPG set the other filter options in the Assets Palette to narrow down the type of objects (e.g.  Scenery Splines  and/or enter a partial name in the Text Box)
DotPoint3.JPG select the Marquee Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the  F  key)
DotPoint4.JPG Left Click and Drag out the Marquee Selection Area around the objects to be selected
Only those objects identified in the Assets Palette filters will be selected by the Marquee


MarqueeSelectSplines S20.png Using the Filters shown above, the Marquee Selection Area will include:-
DotPoint.JPG all spline objects (excluding tracks) crossed by the selection area. See Note: below
DotPoint.JPG all ground textures
DotPoint.JPG all TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers
DotPoint.JPG all ground heights
found within the Marquee Selection Area


NotePad.PNG If a spline segment has one or both of its endpoints outside the Marquee Selection Area but the selection area crosses part of the segment then that segment will be selected


Marquee Anchor Controls

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
NotePad.PNG Notes:

The Marquee Anchors will move:-
DotPoint.JPG the selected scenery objects. If the objects are in locked layers then they will NOT be moved
DotPoint.JPG the ground textures. As shown in two of the images below this will leave the original baseboard ground texture or grid pattern showing
DotPoint.JPG the TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers. If an effect layer is locked then it will not be moved but it will still be deleted from the area that was covered by the original Marquee Selection Area
DotPoint.JPG the ground heights
PencilTips.PNG If you do not want to move everything that is in the Marquee Selection Area then use the Asset Filters before using the Marquee Tool to only include those assets that you do want to move


The following images demonstrate the effect of using the Marquee Anchor Controls on the image shown at the top of this section as the starting point.


 Horizontal Anchor Shift 

  The  Green  horizontal Anchor has been used to shift the Marquee Selection Area to the left. Note that the 3 trees and a small building that were on the left of the Marquee Selection Area in the image above have been replaced (overwritten) by the Marquee contents. Also note that the texture has been moved leaving a gap showing the original grid texture.  
  MarqueeSelectAreaShift S20.png
 


 Rotational Anchor Shift 

  The  Blue  rotational Anchor has been used to rotate the Marquee Selection Area about 45° anti-clockwise. Again, anything that was originally in the area now covered by the Marquee Selection Area has been replaced by the contents of the Marquee. Also note that the texture has been moved leaving a gap showing the original grid texture.  
  MarqueeSelectAreaRotate S20.png
 


 Vertical Anchor Shift 

  The  Blue  vertical Anchor has been used to lift the Marquee Selection Area upwards  
  MarqueeSelectAreaUplift S20.png
 


Scrapbook Operations

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Scrapbooks, when created, will contain:-
DotPoint.JPG Ground Heights
DotPoint.JPG Ground Textures
DotPoint.JPG TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers - if present
DotPoint.JPG Selected Objects - scenery items, splines, track, signals, etc
 But NOT Rolling Stock (Trains) 
The ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers in the Marquee Selection Area will always be added to the scrapbook. You can use the Asset Palette Filters to control which visible objects in the selection area will also be added
NotePad.PNG Notes:

Scrapbooks, when painted or pasted, can contain any combinations of:-
DotPoint.JPG Ground Heights
DotPoint.JPG Ground Textures
DotPoint.JPG TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers
DotPoint.JPG Scenery Objects (Meshes) - individual buildings, trees, signals, etc
DotPoint.JPG Scenery Splines - roads, track, fences, etc
You have options in PageLink.PNG The Scrapbook Filters that will control which of these data types are added to your Trainz World and how they are added.


Once an area has been marked out by the Marquee Tool a number of options become available.

MarqueeEditMenu S20.png
The SurveyorEditIcon.png Surveyor Edit Menu will show some additional options specifically for the Marquee Tool:-
 Cut  the objects selected in the Marquee area (including the ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers) will be copied and placed into a new Scrapbook. Any scenery objects (excluding ground heights, ground textures and effect layers) that are not in a locked layer will be removed from the Marquee area. This is the same as pressing the  Ctrl  +  X  keys
 Copy  the objects selected in the Marquee area (including ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers) will be copied and placed into a new Scrapbook. This is the same as pressing the  Ctrl  +  C  keys
 Paste  the contents of the current Scrapbook will be pasted into the route at the cursor (focus) point. Which contents will be pasted and how they will be pasted are controlled by the Filters in the Scrapbook Palette (see PageLink.PNG Scrapbook Data for more details). This option will always be available with and without a Marquee area being marked if there is a scrapbook available to be pasted. This is the same as pressing the  Ctrl  +  V  keys
 Clear  the selected scenery objects that are not in locked layers will be removed from the Marquee area but NOT the selected ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers. This is the same as pressing the  Delete  key
 Select None  the Marquee Selection Area boundary lines are removed from the route cancelling the selection process. Nothing that is inside the area will be removed. This is the same as pressing the  Ctrl  +  D  keys


 Adding a New Scrapbook 

BlueDot10x10.png The  Cut  and  Copy  Scrapbook operations are also found in the Marquee Context Menu (see the Marquee Context Menu section above).


PencilTips.PNGYou don't have to use the Marquee Tool to create a new Scrapbook. You can use the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool to select any number of objects and then press  Ctrl  +  C . The selected objects, along with the ground heights, ground textures, and any TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers, will be copied into a new Scrapbook


When a new Scrapbook is created by a  Cut  (or press  Ctrl  +  X ) or  Copy  (or press  Ctrl  +  C ), it will appear in the Scrapbook palette with some basic details.

ScrapbookNew S20.png
The newly created scrapbook will be given:-
DotPoint.JPG a name consisting of the date and time of its creation
DotPoint.JPG a thumbnail
PencilTips.PNGThe thumbnail image will be taken using the current camera POV (point of view). To get a better image adjust the camera position and view to give the best possible shot of the Scrapbook objects before giving the  Cut  or  Copy  command
DotPoint.JPG a scrapbook number (it will be inserted as the №1 scrapbook)
DotPoint.JPG an expiry date which will be set 5 days after its creation - this will countdown each day until 0 when the new scrapbook will be deleted


NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Scrapbooks use very little memory so there is no real limit to how many you can store in the palette but finding the one you want will be more difficult as the list grows longer
DotPoint.JPG Rolling Stock Objects cannot be added to a Scrapbook. The rolling stock Context Menu option  Save to Consist Asset...  performs some of the Scrapbook functions for rolling stock objects and consists
DotPoint.JPG Deleting a Scrapbook after it has been pasted does not delete the objects that it has added to the route


There are two changes that can be made to the new scrapbook:-
DotPoint.JPG Give it a name -  Left Click  inside the Name Text Box and type a new name. To set its new name  Left Click  on the image OR press the  Enter  key
DotPoint.JPG Make it permanent -  Left Click  the white Pin icon (ScrapbookUnPinnedIcon S20.png) to change it to blue. The scrapbook will no longer expire but it can still be deleted at any time
Pinned scrapbooks are always shown with a blue pin icon ScrapbookPinnedIcon S20.png and the words "pinned, no expiry" displayed next to their scrapbook №
PencilTips.PNGThe Pinning of any scrapbook can be reversed so that it will then expire in 5 days time.  Left Click  the blue pin icon.
ScrapbookNewNamedPinned S20.png


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

ScrapbookEntryCM S20.png

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

PencilTips.PNGYou can archive your scrapbooks as CDP files to keep the number of installed scrapbooks to a minimum. If an archived scrapbook is needed then you can use the Import Content Files option in Content Manager to add it to the Scrapbook Palette. It can be deleted from the palette later, when no longer needed.


Marquee Context Menu

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png The Marquee Context Menu creates, deletes, converts and paints individual or multiple baseboards. It also creates and pastes scrapbooks.


To open the Context Menu for a Marquee Selection Area  Left Click  on its Context Icon MarqueeContextIcon S20.png or press the  T  key.

Marquee Context Menu
MarqueeContextMenu S20.png
 Cut  removes the objects in the selection area from the route and moves them into the Scrapbook. Ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers will be copied, not cut. Has the same effect as pressing the  Ctrl  +  X  keys
 Copy  copies the objects in the selection area and moves them into the Scrapbook. Has the same effect as pressing the  Ctrl  +  C  keys
 Paste to Selected Area  pastes the objects in the currently selected Scrapbook into the selection area. Which objects are pasted and how they are pasted is controlled by the settings in the Scrapbook Filter. Has the same effect as pressing the  Ctrl  +  V  keys
 Delete  deletes the objects in the selection area except for the ground heights, textures and effect layers. Has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key
 Paint Within Marquee  if a texture has been selected in the Assets Palette then that texture will be painted inside the selection area using the settings in the Tool Options Palette. If no texture has been selected then this option will be greyed out
 Set Marquee To Brush Height  changes the ground height of the selection area to the brush height in the Tool Options Palette
 Convert Baseboards To  converts the grid of the entire baseboard or baseboards covered by the selection area into the resolution selected from the three options -  HD Grid  (in Trainz Plus only),  5m Grid  and  10m Grid . If the selection area covers any empty spaces outside the existing baseboards then new baseboards will be created using the ground height in the Tool Options Palette. See Notes: below
 Delete Baseboards in Marquee  deletes the entire baseboard or baseboards covered by the selection area. See Notes: below
 Select in Assets Palette  identifies and selects in the Assets Palette the most common ground texture used in the selection area


NotePad.PNG Notes:

 
DotPoint.JPG The  Convert Baseboards To  and  Delete Baseboards in Marquee  options will affect the entire baseboard or baseboards that contain the Marquee Selection Area even if the selection area only covers a small part of a baseboard.
DotPoint.JPG It is NOT RECOMMENDED that you mix HD Grid baseboards (in Trainz Plus only) with 5m Grid or 10m Grid baseboards in the same route. The boundaries between HD and non-HD baseboards will have display issues. If you are going to use the HD Grid terrain then it is recommended that the entire route should be Upgraded to HD Grid. See PageLink.PNG Upgrading a Route to HD below for more details. There is no problem with mixing 5m and 10m grid baseboards in the same route


Managing Baseboards

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png The Marquee is a powerful tool for adding, deleting and changing the properties of multiple baseboards


 Add, Delete, Convert Baseboards 

Marquee drawn area


PencilTips.PNG In Trainz Plus you can Upgrade an existing 5m or 10m resolution route entirely to HD. See PageLink.PNG Upgrading a Route to HD below for more details.
Steps: To add, delete and convert baseboards:-
DotPoint1.JPG select the Marquee Tool (or press the  F  key).
DotPoint2.JPG Left Click and Drag to draw out the Marquee Selection Area area where the new baseboards will be added or the existing baseboards will be deleted or converted.
The Marquee Selection Area, shown with a green border in the image on the left, covers the existing baseboard (black, bottom left) and where 3 new baseboards will be created. The Marquee has a Context Icon as shown in the image.
DotPoint3.JPG  Left Click  on the Context Icon or press the  T  key to open up the Marquee Context Menu (see Marquee Context Menu above).
DotPoint4.JPG Create, Convert, Delete
DotPoint.JPG To Add new baseboards select the context option  Add New Baseboards >  then select a resolution from two or three sub-options,  HD Grid  (in Trainz Plus only),  5m Grid  and  10m Grid . If existing baseboards have also been selected then they will NOT be converted to the new resolution.
NotePad.PNG It is NOT RECOMMENDED that you mix HD Grid baseboards (in Trainz Plus only) with 5m Grid or 10m Grid baseboards in the same route. It should be ALL HD or none. There is no problem with mixing 5m and 10m grid baseboards in the same route
DotPoint.JPG To Convert selected baseboards to a different Grid Resolution select the context option  Convert Existing Baseboards To >  then select a resolution from two or three sub-options,  HD Grid  (in Trainz Plus only),  5m Grid  and  10m Grid . If empty spaces with no baseboards have been selected then new baseboards will NOT be created in those spaces.
NotePad.PNG It is NOT RECOMMENDED that you mix HD Grid baseboards (in Trainz Plus only) with 5m Grid or 10m Grid baseboards in the same route. It should be ALL HD or none. There is no problem with mixing 5m and 10m grid baseboards in the same route
DotPoint.JPG To Delete the selected baseboards select the context option  Delete Baseboards in Marquee . Note: An entire baseboard will be deleted even if the selection area only covers a small part of the baseboard. The  Ctrl  +  Z  keys can Undo the deletion.


 Baseboard Ground Height 

BlueDot10x10.png The Marquee Selection Area can be used to set the height of entire baseboards or just a selected section of one or more baseboards
Steps: To set the height of the baseboards or area under the Marquee Selection Area:-
DotPoint1.JPG set the required ground height in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting. Note: the  Grade  setting has no effect when used with the Marquee tool.
DotPoint2.JPG select the Marquee Tool (or press the  F  key).
DotPoint3.JPG Left Click and Drag to draw out the Marquee Selection Area area so that it covers the area that will have its height set. This can include multiple baseboards or empty spaces where new baseboards will be created at the new height.
DotPoint4.JPG  Left Click  on the Context Icon or press the  T  key to open up the Marquee Context Menu (see Marquee Context Menu above).
DotPoint5.JPG select the Context Menu option  Set Marquee to Brush Height . If the Marquee extends over empty space then new baseboards will be created at the set  Height  value.


 Baseboard Ground Texture 

BlueDot10x10.png The Marquee Selection Area can be used to set the ground texture of entire baseboards or just a selected section of one or more baseboards
Steps: To paint the baseboards or area under the Marquee Selection Area with a ground texture:-
DotPoint1.JPG select a ground texture from the Assets Palette
DotPoint2.JPG set the brush  Scale  and any other required controls in the Tool Options Palette.
DotPoint3.JPG select the Marquee Tool (or press the  F  key).
DotPoint4.JPG Left Click and Drag to draw out the Marquee Selection Area area so that it covers the area that will be painted with the texture. This can include multiple baseboards and empty spaces where new baseboards will be created with the selected texture.
DotPoint5.JPG  Left Click  on the Context Icon or press the  T  key to open up the Marquee Context Menu (see Marquee Context Menu above).
DotPoint6.JPG select the Context Menu option  Paint Within Marquee . If the Marquee extends over empty space then new baseboards will be created and covered with the selected ground texture. The new baseboards will be created at the Default altitude for the set Region or at 0m if no region has been set.


Mass Object Moves and Clones

Skip Down Skip Up Top Next Up Next Down Bottom
PencilTips.PNGBoth the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool can move and clone (copy) single and multiple objects. The Marquee Tool can also move and clone objects but it will include the ground heights, ground textures and any TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers in the cloning and moving operations.

Selecting and Moving Multiple Objects

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

NotePad.PNG Notes: Mass Moves

The objects do not have to be:-
DotPoint.JPG the same type. They can be a mixture of scenery splines and mesh objects
DotPoint.JPG in the same layers but objects in Locked layers cannot be moved
PencilTips.PNGYou can also use the Marquee Tool to move objects but this will also move the ground heights, ground textures and TurfFX/Clutter Effect Layers as well as objects.


MultipleSelectionGroup S20.png
Steps: To select multiple objects:-
DotPoint1.JPG Select the Free Move Tool or Fine Adjustment Tool
DotPoint2.JPG  Shift  +  Left Click  on every object that is to be included in the selection group


PencilTips.PNGYou can apply the  Height  setting in the Tool Options Palette to the entire group of selected objects.
MultipleSelectionGroupMove S20.png
Steps: To move multiple objects:-
DotPoint1.JPG Left Click and Drag the selected objects in the required direction
DotPoint2.JPG Release the mouse button when the group of objects are in position


PencilTips.PNGThe Fine Adjustment Tool  Blue  Rotation Anchor can be used to rotate all the members of the group with the last selected object (the one with the Context Icon) as the centre of rotation


 Selecting Multiple Identical Objects 

You can quickly select all nearby identical objects by a Double Left Click on an object.

PencilTips.PNGThis also applies to all the wagons in a consist. Double Left Click on any one of them to select all of them - they do not have to be identical wagons.


A forest of many different trees. Only one has been selected. Double Left Click on a tree to select all the identical trees in the forest.
MultipleSelectTip1 S20.png MultipleSelectTip2 S20.png


PencilTips.PNG Shift  + Double Left Click on another object. It and all its identical copies will be added to the selection.


Cloning Objects

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png You can easily clone single and multiple selected objects. If you have selected a group of objects they do not have to be the same type - you can select scenery objects and scenery splines.


NotePad.PNG Notes: Layers and Cloning

DotPoint.JPG the objects can be in different layers
DotPoint.JPG the layers can be locked and the objects will still be cloned
DotPoint.JPG all the cloned objects will be placed into the current Active Layer which must be Unlocked
For more information on layers see PageLink.PNG The Info Palette at the end of this document.


Steps: To clone an object or a group of objects:-
DotPoint1.JPG use either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool to select the object or objects
DotPoint2.JPG  Ctrl  + Left Click and Drag on any of the selected objects
FreeMoveCloneSelect S20.png FreeMoveCloneMoved S20.png


Upgrading a Route to HD (Trainz Plus Only)

  Skip Up Top Next Up Next Down Bottom
BlueDot10x10.png This option is only available in Trainz Plus
BlueDot10x10.png Upgrading an entire route to HD is recommended over mixing HD Grid and non-HD Grid baseboards in the same route, but there are limitations to upgrading that must be considered beforehand


You can convert (Upgrade) an entire 5m Grid or 10m Grid route to HD Grid in a single step but there are some important limitations. See the Notes: below.
ToolsMenuUpgradeRoute S20.png
Steps: To Upgrade a route to HD:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the SurveyorToolsIcon S20.png Surveyor Tools Menu icon
DotPoint2.JPG  Left Click  on the option  Upgrade Route 
A progress bar will show the status of the conversion process which may take several minutes depending on the size of the route. At the conclusion of the upgrade you will be given a report indicating that the process was successful or it has failed because of errors. See Notes: below.


NotePad.PNG Notes:

There are some important considerations and restrictions that may affect the viability of converting an entire route to HD. They are:-

DotPoint.JPG the HD route, after conversion from a 10m grid, for example, will be at least 5x the file size of the original route. If the original route is already large then this could easily push it over the limit (1GB) for saving as a .cdp file.
DotPoint.JPG HD routes have a limit of 16 different ground textures per baseboard but each baseboard can have a different set of 16 textures. This is a limitation caused by hardware, not software.
DotPoint.JPG If more than 16 textures are identified in a single baseboard then the extra textures will be replaced by one of those already present in that baseboard. The upgrade process will continue as this is not a "fatal error". You will be given the Focus co-ordinates of any affected baseboards so you can inspect them for any noticeable changes
DotPoint.JPG Legacy Water, which was normally painted onto the terrain using a brush, will be converted to a Water Effect Layer which will cover the entire layout. Like any effect layer, it can be easily deleted - see PageLink.PNG Edit Effect Layers for the details


The Info Palette

Skip Down   Top Next Up   Bottom
If the Info Palette is not visible on the screen then refer to PageLink.PNG Notes: Palettes at the top of this document. Some Info Palette functions will also require the Assets Palette and the Tool Options Palette.


This palette can be easily overlooked but it has some very useful features:-
BlueDot10x10.png naming objects
BlueDot10x10.png providing precise data and control over the "focus" - the position of the cursor
BlueDot10x10.png providing precise data and control over the position and orientation of objects (it can be used instead of the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool)
BlueDot10x10.png identifying and setting the "home" layer and binding layer of a selected object
BlueDot10x10.png used for locking and unlocking a selected objects layer


The components of the Info Palette are identified in the image below.

InfoPalette S20.png
BlueDot10x10.png Every item in the palette can be edited.
BlueDot10x10.png Each of the small arrowhead icons in the palette will open to display more information and controls or a drop down menu of options.


NotePad.PNG
DotPoint.JPG The Asset Name is the name given to the asset by its creator and the name that will appear in the asset list of Content Manager and in the Assets Palette
DotPoint.JPG The Object Name is the optional name that you have given the object so that it can be quickly located in the route and/or session. Some objects, such as station name signs, will require an Object Name that will be visible in Surveyor and Driver


Palette Coordinates

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
NotePad.PNG Notes:

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

 x  is ALWAYS the  North-South  compass direction regardless of the direction that an object is facing
 y  is ALWAYS the  East-West  compass direction regardless of the direction that an object is facing
 z  is ALWAYS the  Vertical  direction (perpendicular to the compass directions) regardless of how an object has been rolled or tilted

DotPoint.JPG distances are measured in metres from the North-West corner of the first baseboard. If that baseboard is later deleted then distances will still be measured from its original and now "virtual" North-West corner.
DotPoint.JPG  +  positive distances are in the  South  and  East  directions
DotPoint.JPG  -  negative distances are in the  North  and  West  directions
DotPoint.JPG New boards added to the North of the first baseboard will have negative x coordinates and new boards added to the West of the first baseboard will have negative y coordinates.


Info Settings Menu

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    

All the Focus, Position and Rotation settings have drop down menus that allow values to be transferred to and from other settings and other tools.

InfoPaletteSettingDropMenu1 S20.png

InfoPaletteSettingDropMenu2 S20.png
Steps:
DotPoint1.JPG Right Click inside an Info Palette setting box
The first time the popup menu is opened it will only show two active options - Paste and Select All.
 Paste  will paste the contents of your Operating System (Windows, MacOS) clipboard into the setting. If data is already present then the new data will be added to it, not replace it
 Select All  will highlight the contents of the selected setting. You can also achieve this with a Left Click and Drag across the contents of the setting
DotPoint2.JPG Right Click inside the same Info Palette setting box
Once the value in a setting has been selected (highlighted) the popup menu will show all options as active.
 Cut  will copy the contents of the selected setting into your Operating System clipboard. The contents will then be deleted from the setting
 Copy  will copy the contents of the selected setting into your Operating System clipboard without deleting it
 Delete  will delete the contents of the selected setting. You can also achieve this with a Left Click and Drag across the contents and then press the  Delete  key


Next to the z co-ordinate in both the Focus and Position is a small white down arrowhead.  Left Click  on the arrowhead to open its menu.

InfoPaletteFocusMenu S20.png There is only one option in the sub-menu.
 Left Click  on the  Use Height for Brush  option to copy the current z value to the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting.


Focus Info and Controls

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png The Focus shows the current position and height of the Cursor object.

Open up the Focus by a  Left Click  on its arrowhead icon.

PencilTips.PNGBefore changing the cursor position with the Focus controls, set a Bookmark at its current position.


InfoPaletteFocus S20.png


The current cursor position is shown in the x, y and z text boxes. These values can be edited to move the cursor to a new position but CARE will be needed.

PencilTips.PNGOn the right of each data entry box is a pair of Up/Down arrow controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the position in smaller increments down to centimetres


NotePad.PNG Notes:

If you enter an x or y value that is "out in empty space" (beyond the edge of a boundary baseboard) then the cursor will be refocused at a point on the baseboard edge that is the closest to the entered co-ordinates.


PencilTips.PNG If it has not been deleted you can identify the North-West corner of the original (first) baseboard by entering 0 as the Focus  x  and  y  co-ordinates


Asset Name Menu

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png "Asset Name" refers to the name of the asset as displayed in the Assets Palette and in Content Manager. This is not the same as the Object Name (see the next section)


You must have an object (or objects) selected for an Asset Name to be shown and for this menu to be available.

InfoPaletteMulti S20.png If more than one object has been selected then the name and position data shown will be for the last selected object. If different objects (with different kuid codes) have been selected then a count of the additional objects will be added. The (+2) shown in the object name in the image on the left indicates that 2 additional different objects are in the group of selected objects.


Next to the Asset Name is a small white Down Arrowhead.  Left Click  on the arrowhead to open its menu.

InfoPaletteMenu S20.png
Asset Name Menu Options
 Copy   NOT WORKING  (a known bug)
 Show Asset Details  opens a new window showing the image and description of the selected object
 List Assets in New Window  opens up Content Manager and lists all the selected objects
 Add to Picklist  adds selected objects to a Picklist
 Remove from Picklist  removes selected objects from a Picklist (objects must already be in a Picklist)
 Select in Assets Palette  selects and highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette


Object Name

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png "Object Name" refers to the name that you give to an object


You can give any object in your route an identifying name. In some cases a name is vital for AI and session operations, in other cases it will be needed as a display feature - for example: to be shown on a station nameboard. You must have an object (or objects) selected for this option to be available. If more than one object has been selected then only the last object (the one with the Context Icon) will be affected
InfoPaletteObjectName S20.png
Steps: To name (or rename) a selected object:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  inside the Name text entry box
DotPoint2.JPG Enter a name
DotPoint3.JPG Press the  Enter  key


ObjectsUsingSameName.png
There is no ban on two or more objects using the same name


In the image shown on the left there are 4 objects all named Old Orroroo Rd.

This will not cause any problems for scenery objects apart from finding the exact one you want with the Finder Tool ( Ctrl  +  F  keys).

NotePad.PNG Notes:

However, duplicated names will cause problems for Industries (including passenger enabled stations), Locomotives, Track Marks, Triggers, Switches, Signals, etc that have to be identified to control the operation of a session.
These objects must have unique names


Position Info and Controls

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    

You must have an object (or objects) selected for the position data to be shown and edited. Open up the position data by a  Left Click  on its Pos: arrowhead icon.

InfoPalettePos S20.png The position of the selected object (or the last object if more than one is selected) is shown in the x, y and z text boxes. These values can be edited to move the object or objects to a new position but CARE will be needed.


PencilTips.PNGOn the right of each data entry box is a pair of Up/Down arrow controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the position in smaller increments down to centimetres


NotePad.PNG Notes:

If you enter an x or y value that is "out in empty space" (beyond the edge of a boundary baseboard) then the objects will be moved to that position and may vanish from view. The Undo command can be used to reverse the move or the Marquee Tool can be used to add a baseboard under the "floating" objects.


Rotation Info and Controls

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    

You must have an object (or objects) selected for the rotation data to be shown and edited. Open up the rotation data by a  Left Click  on its Rot: arrowhead icon.

InfoPaletteRot S20.png The rotational orientation of the selected object (or the last object if more than one is selected) is shown in the r, p and y text boxes (the letters stand for Roll, Pitch and Yaw). These values can be edited to rotate the object or objects in 3D space BUT not all objects can be rotated in certain directions.
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG If several objects have been selected then the last selected object, the one with the Context Icon, will be the centre of all rotations.
DotPoint.JPG Not all objects will allow rotations. For example, SpeedTree objects can only be rotated using the  y  value ( r  and  p  entries will be ignored) while Spline objects cannot be rotated at all


PencilTips.PNGOn the right of each box is a pair of Up/Down arrow controls. Left Click and Drag up or down on these to adjust the rotation angle in increments of 1°.


NotePad.PNG Notes:

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

 r  ALWAYS rotates in the vertical plane around the selected objects Y axis (which was defined when it was created).
This is the same as the  Red  Rotational Anchor in the Fine Adjustment Tool
 p  ALWAYS rotates in the vertical plane around the selected objects Y axis PLUS 90°.
This is the same as the  Green  Rotational Anchor in the Fine Adjustment Tool
 y  ALWAYS rotates in the horizontal plane around the compass Z or Vertical axis regardless of how the object has been rolled or pitched.

This is similar to but NOT exactly the same as the  Blue  Rotational Anchor in the Fine Adjustment Tool

 Rot:   y  = East 90° North 180° West 270° South
Original
RotationAxis S20.png
Roll:  r = 45 
RotationAxisRoll S20.png
Pitch:  p = 45 
RotationAxisPitch S20.png
Yaw:  y = 45 
RotationAxisYaw S20.png
  All rotations shown are 45° in the + (anticlockwise) direction
 

DotPoint.JPG Some objects (for example: SpeedTrees) will NOT allow Roll or Pitch rotations
DotPoint.JPG all angles are measured in degrees
DotPoint.JPG  +  positive angles are anticlockwise when viewed facing the rotation axis direction
DotPoint.JPG  -  negative angles are clockwise when viewed facing the rotation axis direction
DotPoint.JPG angles greater than 360° can be entered but will give the same result as the angle minus 360°. For example: 450° is exactly the same angle as 90° (450°-360°=90°)
DotPoint.JPG clockwise and anti-clockwise angles are complementary. For example: entering -270° (clockwise) will give the same angle as entering +90° (anticlockwise)


Layer Info and Controls

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    

You must have an object (or objects) selected for the layer data to be shown and edited. Open up the layer data by a  Left Click  on its Layer: arrowhead icon.

NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG the Info Palette is best used to show and edit the layer and binding layer assignments of individual selected objects
DotPoint.JPG operations such as creating, deleting, merging, renaming, moving and hiding layers are performed using the Layers Palette
DotPoint.JPG layers can be Locked and Unlocked using the Info Palette but the Layers Palette is often the best choice for these tasks


InfoPaletteLayer S20.png This will show the:-
DotPoint.JPG current layer assigned to the selected object
DotPoint.JPG its assigned Binding Layer (if any)
DotPoint.JPG the Locked or Unlocked state of the assigned layer
  InfoPaletteLockedLayerBtn S20.png Layer is currently Unlocked. Click this button to Lock the layer
  InfoPaletteUnlockedLayerBtn S20.png Layer is currently Locked. Click this button to Unlock the layer
  Using this button will also change the Locked or Unlocked padlock icon shown next to the layer name in the Layers Palette
AssetsPaletteLockedUnlockedLayers S20.png
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Objects in a Locked Layer cannot be deleted or moved
DotPoint.JPG Locked Layers can be deleted, moved and merged with other layers


InfoPaletteLayersMulti S20.png If multiple objects from different layers have been selected then no layer name will be shown in the Layer and Binding boxes. Instead they will be left "blank" as shown in the image on the left.

Both boxes can still be opened to assign layers to objects.

Stop.PNG WARNING:
DotPoint.JPG Setting a layer for multiple objects that are in different layers will move ALL those objects to that layer
DotPoint.JPG If objects are moved from one layer group to another (such as from the Route Layers to the Session Layers) then it will change where those objects are saved (in the Route or in the Session)


Assigning Objects to a Different Layer

Skip Down Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png The Active Layer is the layer used by the Placement Tool when objects are added to your Trainz World.


A selected object or group of selected objects can be assigned to a different layer. If multiple objects have been selected then they do not have to all be in the same layer.

InfoPaletteLayerDropBoxList S20.png
Steps: To change the assigned layer of an object or group of objects:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the Layer drop down box. The layer containing the object (for a single selected object only) will be shown with a BulletTick.png in front of its name
DotPoint2.JPG Select the destination layer name from the drop down list. See Warning above
The layer reassignment will start the instant the destination layer is selected
DotPoint3.JPG If you see a Debugging Window on the screen as the task is processed, it will inform you when the task has been completed. You can then close the window


NotePad.PNG Once a target layer has been selected then the  Select Layer  button, which sets the Active Layer, will become active IF the target layer is not the Active Layer. A  Left Click  on this button will set it as the Active Layer.


PencilTips.PNGYou can also set the Active Layer by selecting its name from the list in the Layers Palette.


Options: To set current layer to the Active Layer:-
Ablue.png If the  Select Layer  button is greyed out
InfoPaletteLayerSelectBtnOff S20.png then the selected object is now assigned to the current Active Layer so there is no need to use this option
Bblue.png If it is NOT greyed out
InfoPaletteLayerSelectBtnOn S20.png then the selected object is now assigned to a layer that is not the current Active Layer.  Left Click  on the  Select Layer  button to switch the Active Layer to the same layer as the object


Assigning Objects to a Binding Layer

  Skip Up   Heading    
BlueDot10x10.png The Binding Layer, or Bound Layer as it is also called, is a tool used in the development of a route or session. It allows you to temporarily assign an object to a second layer while it is still in its original layer. The object will then take on the properties (Locked or Unlocked, Hidden or Visible) of both layers.
Assigned
Layer
Binding
Layer
Object
Status
LayerUnLocked S20.png Unlocked LayerUnLocked S20.png or None LayerUnLocked S20.png Unlocked
LayerLocked S20.png LOCKED LayerLocked S20.png or LayerUnLocked S20.png or None LayerLocked S20.png LOCKED
LayerUnLocked S20.png Unlocked LayerLocked S20.png LOCKED LayerLocked S20.png LOCKED
LayerEyeOpen S20.png Visible LayerEyeOpen S20.png or None LayerEyeOpen S20.png Visible
LayerEyeClosed S20.png HIDDEN LayerEyeOpen S20.png or LayerEyeClosed S20.png or None LayerEyeClosed S20.png HIDDEN
LayerEyeOpen S20.png Visible LayerEyeClosed S20.png HIDDEN LayerEyeClosed S20.png HIDDEN
In Summary:-
DotPoint.JPG If the Assigned Layer or the Binding Layer of an object is Locked then the object will be Locked
DotPoint.JPG If the Assigned Layer or the Binding Layer of an object is Hidden then the object will be Hidden
NotePad.PNG Notes:

DotPoint.JPG Objects in a Hidden Layer cannot be seen and therefore, cannot be selected, deleted or moved
DotPoint.JPG The Layers Palette is the ONLY way to create, delete, name and hide layers


Some examples of using the Binding Layer:-
 Example 1: 
The problem: You need to stop an object from being selected so that you can you move other objects on or around it
The solution: Use the Layers Palette to create a new empty layer and lock it. Set the Binding Layer of the object to the new locked layer. The object will then be locked so it cannot be selected or moved even though its original layer is unlocked. When the edit has been completed delete the empty locked layer you just created to unlock all its bound objects and remove all their bindings (the objects will not be deleted)
 Example 2: 
The problem: A group of objects (e.g trees) are blocking access to another object.
The solution: Use the Layers Palette to create a new empty layer and hide it. Set the Binding Layer of the blocking objects to the new hidden layer. The blocking objects will no longer be visible and cannot be selected even though their original layer is still visible. When the edit has been completed delete the empty hidden layer you just created to make all its bound objects visible and remove all their bindings (the objects will not be deleted)
PencilTips.PNG You can also use the asset filters found in the Assets Palette to lock or hide specific assets or types of assets from selection when you are working in Surveyor. See the section PageLink.PNG Narrowing the Search for more details


InfoPaletteBindingDropBox S20.png
Steps: To change the assigned binding layer of an object or group of objects:-
DotPoint1.JPG  Left Click  on the Binding drop down box. For a single selected object only the binding layer (which may be <none>) will be shown with a BulletTick.png in front of its name
DotPoint2.JPG Select the Binding layer name from the drop down list. Note: the objects assigned layer will not appear in the list because an object cannot be bound to its own layer
The layer reassignment will start the instant the layer is selected
DotPoint3.JPG If you see a Debugging Window on the screen as the task is processed, it will inform you when the task has been completed. You can then close the window


NotePad.PNG Also see PageLink.PNG Narrowing the Search for an alternative method of selecting difficult to access objects.


As an example, the image below shows what you will see for a single object that has had:-
InfoPaletteLayerSetBindingSet S20.png
DotPoint.JPG its assigned layer changed (in the example from "route-layer" to "Station Industries")
DotPoint.JPG its binding layer set (in the example to "Multi Industries")
DotPoint.JPG the newly assigned layer is Locked so you have the option to Unlock it
DotPoint.JPG the newly assigned layer is not the Active Layer so you have the option to Select Layer and make it the Active Layer


LinkWiki.PNG

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

How to Use Layers


  Skip Up Top Next Up    


Trainz Wiki

TrainzWiki.png

More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz

LinkWiki.PNG

Related Links


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


Personal tools