How to Use Track Markers

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If you already have a '''Track Mark''' in your route then:-
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If you already have a '''Track Marker''' placed in your route then:-
 
# select the '''Eyedropper Tool''' in the '''Tools Palette''' (or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;R&#160;</span> key)
 
# select the '''Eyedropper Tool''' in the '''Tools Palette''' (or press the <span style="font-weight: 700; font-size: 17px; color: white; background-color: black;">&#160;R&#160;</span> key)
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# '''Left''' click on the existing '''Track Mark''' object
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# '''Left''' click on the existing object and then '''left''' click on the object name in the Filter List
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This will instantly select the '''Track Mark''' in the filter list.<br>
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This will instantly select that particular object in the Filter List and switch control to the '''Placement Tool'''.<br>
  
 
Jump to '''Step [[image:DotPoint5.JPG|link=]]''' below.</td>
 
Jump to '''Step [[image:DotPoint5.JPG|link=]]''' below.</td>
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===<span style="color: white; background-color: blue;">&#160;Set the Track Mark Properties&#160;</span>===
 
===<span style="color: white; background-color: blue;">&#160;Set the Track Mark Properties&#160;</span>===
  

Revision as of 09:44, 13 January 2023

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

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


  Top   Next Down Bottom

What are Track Marks?

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

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


Route or Session?

DotPoint.JPG Track Marks can be placed in a Route layer or in a Session layer


NotePad.PNG Notes:
DotPoint.JPG Placing Track Marks in a Route layer (e.g. in the same layer as the track) means that they will be available in all Sessions created using that particular Route.
DotPoint.JPG Placing Track Marks in a Session layer means that they will only be available in that Session. This can be useful if two or more Sessions are being created and you want to use different Track Marks (destinations and waypoints) in each Session.


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


  Top Next Up Next Down Bottom

Adding a Track Mark

NotePad.PNG Notes:

A Track Mark has two important properties:-

  • its name which is needed for all commands and rules that use the Track Mark, and
  • its Trigger Radius (the red "wings" shown in the image below, the radius value is shown below the Track Mark name). This controls how closely an AI train has to approach the marker to activate it (smaller radius = closer to the Track Mark)
PencilTips.PNG The direction that a Track Mark is pointing has NO EFFECT on its operation


 In Surveyor Classic (S10) 

 Setting the Track Mark 

TrackMarkTools.png
Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Open the Track Tool
  2. Select the Trackmark button
  3. Select the item named Track Marker
  4. Select the + (add) button - it may already be selected
  5. Left click on the track location where the Track Mark is to be placed

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

When placed, the properties window for the Track Mark will appear.
TrackMarkProperties.png

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


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


 Set the Trigger Radius 

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

TrackMarkRadiusTools.png
Steps.PNG Steps:
  • Left click the Advanced button

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

Ablue.png To copy the current Trigger Radius of an existing Track Mark

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

Bblue.png To manually alter the Trigger Radius

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

Cblue.png To apply a value in the Trigger Radius value box (from methods Ablue.png, Bblue.png or Dblue.png) to another Track Mark

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

Dblue.png To adjust the value up or down

  1. Left click the Adjust Trigger Radius button
  2. Select the Track Mark
  3. Hold down the Left mouse button and move the mouse forward (to increase the value) or backwards (to reduce the value)
  4. The new value will be immediately applied to the selected Track Mark as the mouse moves (but only one marker at a time)
PencilTips.PNG Once you have a Trigger Radius entered in the value box, you can apply it to any number of Track Marks by using method Cblue.png shown above


 In Surveyor 2.0 (S20) 

Surveyor 2.0 is currently only available for Trainz Plus Standard and Trainz Plus Gold subscription members.

 Adding a Track Mark 

DotPoint1.JPG In the Asset Palette either:-

Ablue.png Left click the Track Mesh Filter icon

Track mesh

OR
Bblue.png Left click the Content Drop-down Box

Filter List
Then select Track Objects
Track Objects

NotePad.PNG Notes:

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

Windows Menu
1. open the Window Menu from the menu icons at the top of the screen
2. Left click on the Assets Palette name
to add a tick and make it visible.
PencilTips.PNG  Shortcut 

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

  1. select the Eyedropper Tool in the Tools Palette (or press the  R  key)
  2. Left click on the existing object and then left click on the object name in the Filter List

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

Jump to Step DotPoint5.JPG below.


DotPoint2.JPG To narrow down the filter list, type "mark" (UPPER/lower case does not matter) in the Search Text Box

Text search
DotPoint3.JPG This will list all the Track Objects containing the text "mark" in the filter list.
Filtered list DotPoint4.JPG Select the item Track Mark.

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

DotPoint5.JPG Place the Track Mark on the track.

Add trackmark


NotePad.PNG Notes:

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

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


PencilTips.PNG If you need to rotate the Track Mark to face the opposite direction then:-
  1. Left click on its Context Tool (or press the  T  key if the asset has already been selected)
  2. from the popup menu select  Rotate Trackside 
Note: the direction it faces has no effect on its operation.
Steps.PNG Steps:
DotPoint1Blue.png Select the Placement Tool (or press the  E  key) from the Tools Palette
DotPoint2Blue.png Left click on the track at the position where you want to place the Track Mark

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


Tools and keymap for S20


 Set the Track Mark Properties 

TrackmarkAdjust S20.png DotPoint3Blue.png Change Its Name
Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Left click on the Context Tool (DotPoint3Blue.png in the image on the left or press the  T  key if the asset has already been selected) to open up the object property and control menu
  2. Left click on the  Edit Properties  option in the popup menu
  3. enter a name for the Track Mark
  4. click the Tick.PNG to accept the change or the Cross.PNG to reject it


DotPoint4Blue.png Set its Trigger Radius
The Trigger Radius controls how closely an AI train has to approach the marker to activate it (smaller radius = closer to the Track Mark).
Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Left click and hold down the mouse button on the Green Dot next to the Track Mark (DotPoint4Blue.png in the images above and below)
  2. While holding down the Left mouse button, move the mouse Forward or Backward to increase or reduce the trigger radius


 Move the Track Mark 

DotPoint5Blue.png Move it Along the Track
Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Left click and hold down the mouse button on the Yellow Dot next to the Track Mark (DotPoint5Blue.png in the images above and below)
  2. While holding down the Left mouse button, move the mouse Forward or Backward to drag the Track Mark along the track


TrackmarkFineAdjust S20.png DotPoint6Blue.png Reposition it Up/Down

This feature allows a Track Mark to be physically placed above the track so that it will not be hidden if a consist is parked on the Track Mark.
Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Select the Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the  D  key)
  2. Left click and hold down the mouse button on the Blue Vertical Axis Line above the Track Mark (DotPoint6Blue.png in the image on the left)
  3. While holding down the Left mouse button, move the mouse Forward or Backward to move the Track Mark Up or Down
PencilTips.PNG If you need to return the Track Mark to its original position then:-
  1. Left click on its Context Tool (or press the  T  key if the asset has already been selected)
  2. from the popup menu select  Reattach to Track 


DotPoint7Blue.png Reposition the it Left/Right
This feature allows a Track Mark to be physically placed left or right alongside the track so that it will not be hidden if a consist is parked on the Track Mark.
Steps.PNG Steps:
  1. Select the Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the  D  key)
  2. Left click and hold down the mouse button on the Red Horizontal Axis Line on the Track Mark (DotPoint7Blue.png in the image above)
  3. While holding down the Left mouse button, move the mouse Forward or Backward to move the Track Mark Left or Right of the track
NotePad.PNG Notes:

The Green Horizontal Axis Line shown as DotPoint8Blue.png in the image above pointing forward from the Track Mark will move the Track Mark forward/backward regardless of whether it is on the track or not. It has the same effect as DotPoint5Blue.png Move it Along the Track. However, by using this tool it is possible to move the Track Mark beyond the end of the track if that is ever required.

PencilTips.PNG If you need to return the Track Mark to its original position then:-
  1. Left click on its Context Tool (or press the  T  key if the asset has already been selected)
  2. from the popup menu select  Reattach to Track 


 Assign a Track Mark to a New Layer 

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

Info palette

Layer control

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


Stop.PNG WARNING:

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

LinkWiki.PNG Information on layers can be found at:-
  Top Next Up   Bottom

Track Mark Operation

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

Driver Navigation Commands

LinkWiki.PNG Information on adding driver commands can be found at:-


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


CMD NavigateTo.png Drive To Trackmark

Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to the designated Track Mark. The AI will noticeably slow the train as it approaches the Track Mark. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will NOT attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Mark. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed.

This command is built in to Trainz
CMD NavigateTo.png Drive Via Trackmark

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

This command is built in to Trainz
CMD NavigateTo.png Navigate To Trackmark

Instructs the AI driver to Drive, via the shortest available path, to the designated Track Mark. The AI will noticeably slow the train as it approaches the Track Mark. Switches ahead of the train that are not locked against the AI will be set to allow the train to proceed and reset after the train has cleared the switch. The AI driver will attempt to find a way around blockages when calculating the shortest path to the Track Mark. All signals and speed signs along the route are obeyed.

This command is built in to Trainz
CMD NavigateTo.png Navigate Via Trackmark

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

This command is built in to Trainz

Navigation Points

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

LinkWiki.PNG Information on navigation points can be found at:-


Coupling Operations

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

CMD Couple At Trackmark.png The AI driver moves the train (or just the locomotive if it is by itself) to couple with the wagon that is closest to a specified trackmark. More information on this command can be found at PageLink2.PNG Couple At Trackmark

This command must be downloaded from the DLS and installed in Trainz
LinkWiki.PNG Information on adding driver commands can be found at:-

Related Links

LinkWiki.PNG


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More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz

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

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