The information in this Wiki Page applies to Surveyor 2.0 (S20) as found in Trainz Plus. The original reference material for this document can be found at Surveyor 2.0 Overview
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Surveyor 2.0 Mouse and Keyboard Aids and Shortcuts |
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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 the Tool Options Palette |
DLClick |
Double Left Click on an object to add it and all nearby identical objects into a single Selection
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when used on a consist all the wagons in the consist, regardless of type, will be selected |
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when used on a spline or track all the segments upto the next junction (in both directions) will be selected |
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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 height, ground textures and any 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 inteface |
Ctrl F2 |
press Ctrl + F2 to switch from Surveyor to Driver via the UDS inteface |
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 height, ground textures, 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 |
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Tools |
W |
selects the Brush Tool |
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E |
selects the Placement Tool |
R |
selects the Eyedropper Tool |
S |
selects the Free Move Tool |
D |
selects the Fine Adjustment Tool |
F |
selects the Marquee Tool |
T |
opens the Context Menu of a selected object |
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Assets and Objects
(from the Surveyor 2.0 Overview document)
In this online documentation, the term Asset is used when talking about the items listed in Content Manager and the Asset Palette. Every asset has a KUID (unique identifier). When an asset (selected in the Assets Palette) is placed into the world, the instance of the asset in the world is referred to as an Object. There are multiple types of object, such as Scenery, Splines, Trains, Trackside, etc.
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Surveyor 2.0 vs Surveyor Classic
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Surveyor 2.0 |
Surveyor 2.0 (or S20) is the new Surveyor interface provided to Trainz Plus Gold and Trainz Plus Standard subscribers as an alternative to Surveyor Classic. Classic is still available as an option in Trainz Plus. S20 is also available in TRS22 for Trainz Plus subscribers only. TRS22 without the subscription will have Surveyor Classic. |
Whats New |
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a single set of common tools that can be applied to ALL types of objects |
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the ability to select multiple objects of different types that can be manipulated as one with more freedom than was previously possible |
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each object has its own Context Menu that applies specific actions depending on the type of object |
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information and controls in dockable and moveable Palettes that can be hidden when not needed |
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a new Scrapbook asset to store "scenes" that can be pasted anywhere in a route, between routes and shared through the DLS |
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a new Marquee Tool that allows:-
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multiple baseboards to be added, deleted and have their height, ground texture and grid resolution changed in a single operation |
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objects, ground heights, ground textures and effect layers to be moved and copied |
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The following screen images help illustrate the change in philosophy that has occurred with the release of the Surveyor 2.0 user interface.
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The Tools Palette is at the core of the new interface 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. |
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. |
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Keyboard Shortcut: W |
The Brush Tool "paints" the ground height, ground textures, effect layers and scrapbook scenes in the Trainz World |
The Brush Tool has two drop down menu lists.
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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:- |
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Ground Height |
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Ground Texture |
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Scrapbook Data |
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<List of Effect Layers> |
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Edit Effect Layers |
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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. |
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Ground Height
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This Brush Target raises or lowers the Ground Surface Height by using a "painting" action |
This brush tool uses the Tool Options Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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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:- |
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Height Up |
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Height Down |
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Set Height |
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Grade |
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Ground Height Brush Actions: |
Height Up
Height Down |
raises/lowers the ground at a rate controlled by the Tool Options Palette Sensitivity setting |
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Set Height |
"plateaus" the ground to the Tool Options Palette Height setting at a rate controlled by the Sensitivity setting |
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Grade |
creates a smooth slope at the Tool Options Palette Grade and Angle settings at a rate controlled by the Sensitivity setting |
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Tool Options Palette Controls |
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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. |
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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 How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for more details. |
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Height Up/Height Down
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Set Height
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Grade
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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 |
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Radius |
the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below |
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Height |
the brush height (metres) - see Tips: below |
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Sensitivity |
the rate at which the Height changes |
Range: |
1% (very slowly) to 100% (very quickly) |
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Grade |
slope gradient - see Notes: below |
Range: |
0% = flat ("Plateau" in Classic) to |
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±100% = steep (but not vertical) |
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Angle |
grade direction (compass degrees) |
Range: |
0° (North) to ±359°
a negative value reverses the grade direction |
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Notes:
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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. |
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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. |
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Using the Ground Height
Identifying the Ground Height
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You can copy the current Ground Height of any spot in the route to the Tool Options Palette Height setting. Once it has been copied the height can be applied to the Ground Height Brush or to any other object in the route. To copy the Ground Height choose one of the following:- |
Options: |
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Using the Eyedropper option found in any brush tool |
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Steps:
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move the mouse pointer onto the spot on the terrain |
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hold down the Alt key and Left Click |
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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 |
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OR |
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Using the Height setting and the compass |
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Steps:
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Right Click onto the spot on the terrain to move the Compass |
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Right Click inside the Height setting entry box |
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Left Click on the menu option
Get Height at Compass |
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This option is recommended when there are scenery objects (e.g. vegetation, splines, buildings, etc) between the ground and the eyedropper - the object name shown in the eyedropper Tooltip is NOT the name of a ground texture or a grid pattern. |
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OR |
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Using the Compass and the Info Palette |
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Steps:
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Right Click at the spot on the terrain to move the Compass |
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open the Focus controls in the Info Palette |
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Left Click the z control down arrowhead icon |
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select the menu option
Use Height for Brush |
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This option is also recommended when there are scenery objects (e.g. vegetation, splines, buildings, etc) between the ground and the eyedropper. |
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Painting the Ground Height
Steps: To set the Ground Surface Height:- |
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select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key) |
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select the brush Target (in this case Ground Height ) |
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select the brush Action ( Height Up , Height Down , etc) |
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set any brush controls ( Radius , Height , Sensitivity , etc) in the Tool Options Palette |
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Left Click and Drag on the terrain to change the terrain height |
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The rate or speed at which the ground height changes is controlled by the Tool Options Palette Sensitivity setting. Set its value to:-
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1% for the smallest possible change with each sweep of the brush |
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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 |
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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 specific Ground Height Options will appear, along with other more general options, in the objects Context Menu.
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Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the ground under the selected objects to match the set height of the objects. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match, as far as possible, the height of each object. This option is frequently used to raise and smooth the ground under track splines. |
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Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the selected objects to match the height of the ground beneath them ("drops them back to earth") |
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Apply Height |
sets the height of the selected objects to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting |
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Ground Texture
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This tool paints the currently selected Ground Texture (from the Assets Palette) on the ground |
This brush tool uses the Tool Options Palette and the Assets Palette. If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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When the Ground Texture Target is selected, the second drop down box will be disabled - there are no brush texture actions.
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Tool Options Palette Controls |
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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. |
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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 How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for more details. |
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Radius |
the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below |
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Sensitivity |
texture transparency |
Range: |
1% = almost transparent to |
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100% = solid (opaque) |
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Rotation |
initial rotation angle - see Notes: below |
Range: |
0° to ±360° (larger angles can be entered) |
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Scale |
the texture pattern scaling factor as a % |
Range: |
0.01% = smallest, 100% = full size, >100% larger than full size |
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The Height setting has no effect on textures as they are always painted on the existing ground surface. |
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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 |
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Notes:
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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. |
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The Rotation controls the starting angle 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. |
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Using the Ground Texture
Identifying a Texture
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You can identify and select an existing Ground Texture to use elsewhere in the route
Steps: To identify a Ground Texture:- |
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Hold down the Alt key and move the pointer onto the texture to be selected. Its name will appear in the pointer ToolTip |
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While holding down the Alt key Left Click on the texture |
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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 |
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Painting a Texture
Steps: To paint a Ground Texture:- |
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select your Ground Texture in the Assets Palette - you can use the Assets Palette filter options to narrow down the selection |
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select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key) |
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select the Ground Texture target from the Brush Tool drop down menu |
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set any brush controls ( Radius , Sensitivity , Rotation , Scale ) in the Tool Options Palette |
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Left Click and Drag on the terrain to paint with the texture |
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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. Set the Sensitivity value to:-
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1% to make the new texture almost transparent. The level of transparency will decrease with each new brush sweep over the same area |
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50% to make the new texture 50% or semi-transparent |
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100% to make the new texture totally hide the original texture |
Values between these two limits will give intermediate changes with each sweep of the brush over the same area |
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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 specific Ground Texture Option will appear, along with other more general options, in the objects Context Menu.
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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. |
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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). |
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Steps: To disable the current default ground texture (easiest method):- |
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open the Surveyor Display Menu |
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select the Ground option |
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select the Grid sub-option. This will use the current grid texture. |
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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. |
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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.
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Scrapbook Data
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This tool paints the currently selected Scrapbook (from the Scrapbook Palette) on the ground |
This brush tool uses both the Tool Options Palette and the Scrapbook Palette. If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document. |
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Notes:
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Scrapbooks, when created, will contain:- |
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Ground Heights |
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Ground Textures |
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Effect Layers - if present |
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Selected Objects - scenery items, splines, track, signals, etc |
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But NOT Rolling Stock (Trains) |
Ground heights, textures and effect layers are always included in a scrapbook but you can control which visible objects are added by manually selecting them |
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Notes:
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Scrapbooks, when painted or pasted, can contain any combinations of:- |
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Ground Heights |
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Ground Textures |
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Effect Layers |
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Scenery Objects (Meshes) - individual buildings, trees, signals, etc |
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Scenery Splines - roads, track, fences, etc |
You have options in The Scrapbook Filters that will control which of these data categories are copied and how they are copied from the scrapbook into a route. |
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The current Scrapbook can be Pasted into a route at the position of the screen cursor (the Compass Rose) by choosing one of the following:- |
Options: |
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press Ctrl + V , OR |
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selecting Paste from the Context Menu of a selected object |
In both cases the Scrapbook will be pasted using the original scrapbooks size. It will be pasted inside a Marquee Selection Area that can be moved and resized. The objects that are pasted and how they are pasted is controlled by the current Scrapbook Palette filter settings
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The Scrapbook Brush Actions
When the Scrapbook Data Target is selected, the second drop down box will give a choice of two brush actions that control how the scrapbook is applied.
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Notes:
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Scrapbook Brush will resize the scrapbook contents to fit the selected brush shape and size.
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If the brush is small then the scrapbook contents will be compressed closer together |
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If the brush is large then the contents will be spaced further apart |
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Every Left Click will paste another complete scrapbook copy |
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The Scale setting in the Tool Options Palette is ignored. |
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Scrapbook Clone will paste the scrapbook sized according to the Scale setting (100% = original size)
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Tool Options Palette Controls |
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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. |
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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 How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for more details. |
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Scrapbook Brush
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Scrapbook Clone
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Radius |
the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below |
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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 |
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Rotation |
initial rotation angle (degrees) - see Notes: below |
Range: |
0° to ±360° (larger angles can be entered) |
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Scale |
the scrapbook scaling factor - see Notes: below |
Range: |
0.01% = smallest, 100% = full size, >100% larger than full size |
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Shape |
brush shape |
Options: |
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Circle and Square will set the brush to the selected shape with the Radius setting the brush size |
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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 |
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The Height setting has no effect on the Scrapbook. This feature is controlled by the Scrapbook Palette Filter Ground Height options. |
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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 |
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Painting with the Scrapbook
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Notes:
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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. |
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The Rotation controls the starting angle for pasting the scrapbook objects. In Surveyor Classic you could only rotate and paste in 90° increments. In S20 you can rotate and paste at any angle. |
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The Ground Height options in the Scrapbook Filters control how the terrain heights in the Scrapbook are applied |
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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 |
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Steps: To "paint" with a Scrapbook asset:- |
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select the Brush Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the W key) |
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select the Scrapbook Data target from the Brush Tool first drop down menu |
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select a brush action ( Scrapbook Brush or Scrapbook Clone ) from the Brush Tool second drop down menu |
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select a Scrapbook asset to be painted (see the The Scrapbook Palette below) |
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open the Scrapbook Filter in the Scrapbook Palette and select the features to be pasted and their method of pasting (see The Scrapbook Filters below) |
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set any Brush controls (e.g. Radius ) from the Tool Options Palette |
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Left Click or Left Click and Drag (depending on your brush settings) on the terrain to paint with the scrapbook asset |
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If you have the Ground Height Scrapbook Filter Option set on then the rate or speed at which the ground height changes will be controlled by the Tool Options Palette Sensitivity setting. Set its value to:-
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1% for the smallest possible change with each sweep of the brush |
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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 |
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The Scrapbook Palette
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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 |
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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) |
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The thumbnail of the currently displayed scrapbook and the one that will be painted or pasted into the route |
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Identifies the currently displayed scrapbook (the first number) and the total number of stored scrapbooks (the second number) |
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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 |
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The scrapbook name can be edited. Left Click inside the name box to edit or replace the current name. Left Click on the image to make the name change permanent and pin (lock) the scrapbook (pressing the Enter key does not work - a known bug) |
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Notes: Deleting Built-in Scrapbooks
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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 |
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Open Content Manager and locate the "permanent" scrapbook or scrapbooks.
Search Tips: Name: starts with "Prefab"; Status: is Built-in; Type: is Misc |
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Highlight (select) the scrapbook assets individually or as a group |
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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. |
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The Scrapbook Filters
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The filters control which elements in the scrapbook are added to the route and how they are added. |
Steps: To Open the Scrapbook Filters |
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Left Click on the arrowhead next to the Filters: label below the scrapbook image to open the scrapbook filters. |
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Effect Layers
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This tool paints a selected Effect Layer onto the ground surface |
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If the route has Effect Layers installed then they will be listed individually as additional Targets otherwise an existing layer can be added as a new target from the Assets Palette or a new layer created using the Edit Effect Layers brush |
This brush tool uses the Tool Options Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document. |
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Step: To select an Effect Layer as the brush tool:- |
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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. |
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Notes:
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Effect Layers are created using the Edit Effect Layers options found in both the 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 Download Station (DLS). |
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Once installed or created, Effect Layers can be added to a route as presets using either of the Edit Effect Layers options.
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Effect Layer Tool Options
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Tool Options Palette Controls |
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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. |
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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 How to Use the Surveyor 2.0 Palettes for more details. |
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TurfFX and Clutter
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Water
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Radius |
the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below |
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Height |
the water layer height (metres) |
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Sensitivity |
the rate at which the Intensity (TurfFX, Clutter) or Height (Water) setting changes |
Range: |
1% (very slowly) to 100% (very quickly) |
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Intensity |
effect density or coverage within the brush |
Range: |
1% (almost none) to 100% (maximum) |
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Grade |
Water Effect Layer slope gradient |
Range: |
0% (flat) to 100% (steep but not vertical) |
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Angle |
Water Effect Layer grade direction (compass degrees) |
Range: |
0° (North) to ±359°
a negative value reverses the grade direction |
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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 |
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The Height setting is ignored for TurfFX and Clutter because these effect layers will be painted at the existing ground surface height. |
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Notes:
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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 |
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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 |
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TurfFX and Clutter Effect Layers
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 very similar to those found in the Ground Height Target:- |
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Increase |
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Decrease |
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Set Intensity |
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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 |
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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 |
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Set Intensity |
will paint the effect layer in one sweep using the full Tool Options Palette Intensity setting |
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Water Effect Layer
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A Water Effect Layer will cover the entire route. Use the Ground Height Brush to raise or lower the ground to hide and reveal the water where required |
When a Water Effect Layer has been selected as theTarget, the second drop down box will give a choice of five actions.
The actions are identical to those found in the Ground Height Target plus a new action:- |
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Height Up |
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Height Down |
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Set Height |
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Grade |
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Bulk Adjust |
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Water Effect Layer Actions: |
Height Up
Height Down |
raises/lowers the water layer at a rate controlled by the Tool Options Palette Sensitivity setting |
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Set Height |
will "plateau" the water level to the Tool Options Palette Height setting at a rate controlled by the Sensitivity setting |
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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 |
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Bulk Adjust |
will move the entire water layer up or down - see Notes: below |
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Notes:
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Edit Effect Layers...
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When this Target is selected, the Edit Effect Layer dialogue box will appear. This is the same as selecting Edit Effect Layers ... from the Surveyor Edit Menu.
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Effect Layers are created for each route. You can select and edit a previously saved Effect Layer rather than having to recreate the entire effect each time. |
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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 Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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When selected, this tool has a distinctive pointer icon which makes it easier to identify that the Placement Tool is active |
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The Placement Tool has no drop down menu lists.
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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: |
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using the Free Move Tool OR |
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using the Fine Adjustment Tool OR |
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editing its x y z settings in The Info Palette OR |
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selecting the Apply Height option in its Context Menu |
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Placing a Scenery Mesh Object
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Adding a Scenery Mesh Object
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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 , and are common to placing ALL types of objects but the selection of the object in step will change for different types of objects. |
In the Asset Palette choose one of the following:-
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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). |
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This will list all the Scenery Objects containing the text "barn" in their name or description.
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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. |
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Moving a Scenery Mesh Object
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To move a scenery mesh object DO NOT click on it with the Placement Tool as this will just add another object |
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To move most scenery mesh objects you must switch to either the The Free Move Tool OR the The Fine Ajustment Tool. Track Objects and Rolling Stock Objects are exceptions and can be moved using the Placement Tool - see their sections below for more details |
Deleting 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: |
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press the Delete key, OR |
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open its Context Menu (Left Click on its icon or press the T key) and select the option Delete |
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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 |
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Set the Height of a Scenery Mesh Object
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An object that has just been added to a route using the Placement Tool can have its height adjusted immediately after placement |
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or it can be adjusted at a later time using the Free Move or Fine Adjustment Tools |
Copying an Objects Height
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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. |
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Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the Height setting:- |
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Right Click in the Height setting in the Tool Options Palette |
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select the Get Height from Selection option |
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Setting an Objects Height
In Surveyor 2.0 track objects as well as scenery mesh objects can be given a height - in the case of track objects the height is above (or below) the track.
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To set the height of a selected scenery or track mesh object, choose one of the following:-
Options: |
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in the Tool Options Palette Height setting, enter a value followed by the Enter key OR |
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in the Tool Options Palette Height setting, enter a value then Right Click and select Set Height to Selection OR |
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from the objects Context Menu select the Apply Height option to apply an existing height setting, OR |
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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 The Info Palette below). |
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The object will be moved to the set height above (or below) the terrain or track. 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 or track attachment point for the object. |
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 specific options will appear, along with other more general options, in the objects Context Menu.
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Apply Height |
sets the height of the selected objects to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting |
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Reset Object Rotation |
resets the rotation angle of the selected objects to their default values |
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Randomise Object Rotation |
applies a random rotation angle to each selected object around its vertical axis |
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See Mesh Object Context Menu for the full list of Context Menu options for Scenery Mesh Objects. |
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Placing a Scenery or Track Spline
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Adding a Spline Object
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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
In the Asset Palette choose one of the following:-
Options: |
Select from the Assets Palette icons:- |
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spline scenery assets |
OR |
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track spline assets |
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OR |
Select from the Assets Palette drop down list:- |
Scenery Splines |
OR |
Track |
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Select the spline asset to be added using Steps and , or the Shortcut , as described in Placing a Scenery Mesh Object above.
Moving a Spline Object
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Notes:
To move a spline segment or endpoint DO NOT click on it with the Placement Tool as this will insert a junction. |
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Steps: To move a spline segment or endpoint |
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Select the Free Move Tool (or press the S key) or the Fine Adjustment Tool (or press the D key) |
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Select the spline segment or endpoint. To select multiple spline segments use Shift + Left Click to select each segment |
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Drag the selected element(s) in the required direction |
For more information see the sections Free Move: Spline Objects or Fine Adjustment: Spline Objects |
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Deleting 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: |
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press the Delete key, OR |
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open its Context Menu (Left Click on its icon or press the T key) and select the option Delete |
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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 |
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Adding a Spline Junction
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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. |
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Steps: To add a junction to a spline object:- |
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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 |
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Select the Placement Tool from the Tools Palette |
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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 |
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move the mouse pointer out from the junction to where the next endpoint of the spline branch will be placed and Left Click |
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Steps: To remove a junction but keep all its spline segments:- |
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open the junction endpoint Context Menu by a Left Click on its Context Icon |
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select the Separate Splines menu option (this will separate ALL the spline segments that meet at that endpoint) |
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A junction can be removed by deleting any spline segment that connects to it |
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A junction endpoint can be moved by using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool |
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Track Spline Junctions
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A track junction is formed using track splines in the same way as described above but track junctions have additional features |
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Using Procedural Tracks
If the track object used is a Procedural Track then the junction endpoint dot will be coloured:- |
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RED (as shown above) if the junction exceeds the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction, OR |
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BLACK if the junction is within the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction |
See the Wiki Page How to Use Procedural Track for more details |
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Spline Heights with the Placement Tool
Copying a Spline Objects Height
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, you can set the heights of any selected segment or endpoint.
Setting a Spline Objects Height
To set the height of a selected spline (including track) or endpoint, choose one of the following:-
Options: |
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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 |
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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 |
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from the objects Context Menu (Left Click on the objects Context Icon or press the T key) the Apply Height option, OR |
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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 The Info Palette below). |
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Spline Gradients with the Placement Tool
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Notes:
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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 up a cliff face) would have an infinite grade which is currently impossible in Surveyor. |
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Copying a Spline Objects Gradient
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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: |
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Use the Eyedropper to copy the grade of any spline segment
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment:- |
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hold down the Alt key and move the mouse tool pointer onto any spline segment |
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while holding down the Alt key Left Click on the spline segment |
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This will also change the asset selected in the Asset Palette to the object clicked and it will become the next object added by a Left Click with the Placement Tool |
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This will also copy the height of the segment at the point it was clicked into the Height setting |
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OR |
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Use the Grade setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Grade of the currently active (just placed) spline segment:- |
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Right Click in the Tool Options Palette Grade setting box |
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Select the Get Grade from Selection option |
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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: |
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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 |
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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 to apply the existing grade value. The endpoint that has been selected will be the starting point of the grade. |
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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 |
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Track Condition Setting
Placing Track Objects
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Adding a Track Object
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Track Objects (e.g. signals, speed signs, switches, etc), both visible and invisible, can only be attached to track splines. |
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Notes:
Visible examples of track objects include:- |
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Signals, speed signs, end buffers, switches |
Invisible examples of track objects include:- |
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Trackmarks, triggers, direction and priority markers |
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Steps: Start the process by identifying and selecting the track asset that you need from the Assets Palette
In the Asset Palette choose one of the following:-
Options: |
Select from the Assets Palette icons:-
track (non spline) assets |
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OR |
Select from the Assets Palette drop down list:-
Track Objects |
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Select the track asset to be added using Steps and , or the Shortcut , as described in Placing a Scenery Mesh Object above.
Then continue as shown below:- |
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Left Click on the track at the position where you want the Track Object to be placed. |
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Moving a Track Object
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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:- |
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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. |
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Moving Track Objects can also be performed, with more control and additional options, using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool. |
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Deleting 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: |
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press the Delete key, OR |
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open its Context Menu (Left Click on its icon or press the T key) and select the option Delete |
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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 |
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Set the Height of a Track Object
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An object that has just been added to a route using the Placement Tool can have its height adjusted immediately after placement |
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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 scenery or track mesh object, choose one of the following:-
Options: |
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in the Tool Options Palette Height setting, enter a value followed by the Enter key OR |
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in the Tool Options Palette Height setting, enter a value then Right Click and select Set Height to Selection OR |
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from the objects Context Menu select the Apply Height option to apply an existing height setting, OR |
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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 The Info Palette below). |
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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.
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Rotate Trackside |
swaps the position of the object to the other side of the track so that it faces the opposite direction |
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Change Junction Direction |
if the object is a track switch or junction then its switch direction will be reversed |
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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 |
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See Track Object Context Menu for the full list of Context Menu options for Track Objects. |
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Placing Rolling Stock Objects
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Adding a Rolling Stock Object
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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
In the Asset Palette choose one of the following:-
Options: |
Select from the Assets Palette icons:-
rolling stock assets |
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OR |
Select from the Assets Palette drop down list:-
Rolling Stock |
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Select the rolling stock asset to be added using Steps and , or the Shortcut , as described in Placing a Scenery Mesh Object above.
Then continue as shown below:- |
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Left Click on the track at the position where you want the Rolling Stock Object to be placed. |
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Moving a Rolling Stock Object
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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:- |
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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. |
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Moving, coupling and decoupling Rolling Stock Objects can also be performed, with more control, using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool. |
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Deleting 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: |
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press the Delete key, OR |
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open its Context Menu (Left Click on its icon or press the T key) and select the option Delete |
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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 |
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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 specific options will appear, along with other more general options, in the objects Context Menu.
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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 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 Rolling Stock Object Context Menu for the full list of Context Menu options for Rolling Stock Objects. |
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Naming an Object with the Placement Tool
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A newly placed and still selected (highlighted) object can be given a name while the Placement Tool is still active |
Steps: To name an object using the Placement Tool immediately after it has been placed:- |
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Open the Context Menu of the highlighted object - either Left Click on its icon or press the T key |
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Select the menu option Edit Properties |
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Enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box and click the button |
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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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 Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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| When selected, this tool has a distinctive pointer icon which makes it easy to identify that the Eyedropper Tool is active |
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The Eyedropper Tool has no drop down menu lists.
| An Eyedropper is inside all the tools so you can quickly identify any object without having to switch to the Eyedropper Tool and back again. |
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hold down the Alt key and move the pointer tool onto an object to reveal its name as a ToolTip |
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hold down the Alt key and Left Click on an object to select it in the Assets Palette list |
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hold down the Alt key and Left Click on the terrain to copy the Height value at that point into the Tool Options Palette Height setting. That value can then be used to set the brush Height for other terrain areas |
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hold down the Alt key and Left Click on a track or spline segment to copy the Grade value at that point into the Tool Options Palette Grade setting. That value can then be used to set the Grade of other spline segments |
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Steps: To use the Eyedropper:- |
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move the pointer, which will look like an Eyedropper, over any object to reveal its name in a ToolTip below the pointer |
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Optional: hold the eyedropper over any object for a few seconds to reveal more information such as its <kuid> code |
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Optional: Left Click on an object to select it in the Assets Palette |
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Quick Steps
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With the Eyedropper Tool selected, move the tool pointer (which will now be an eyedropper symbol) onto any object in view.
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Left Click on the object to identify it (highlighted in grey) in the Assets Palette filter list
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Left Click on the object name in the Assets Palette filter list to select it (highlighted in blue) and switch control to the Placement Tool so the next Left Click in the route will place the selected object in the route.
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Narrowing the Search
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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". |
| These 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 |
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At the top of the Assets Palette is a drop down box which controls how the Tool works with the filters that you set.
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The drop down box will provide three options:-
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Filter List |
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Filter Selection |
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Filter Visibility |
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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, unless they are also in the filtered list, cannot be selected. |
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As an example the following images show the progressive application of a Visibility Filter.
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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 Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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The Free Move Tool has no drop down menu lists.
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| Free 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: |
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using the Fine Adjustment Tool OR |
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editing its x y z values in The Info Palette OR |
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selecting the Apply Height option in its Context Menu |
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Naming an Object with the Free Move Tool
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Steps: To name an object using the Free Move Tool:- |
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Select the object to be named. If more than one object has been selected then only the object with the Context Icon will be named |
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Open the Context Menu of the selected object - either Left Click on its icon or press the T key |
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Select the menu option Edit Properties |
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Enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box and click the button |
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Free Move: Scenery Mesh Objects
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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 Mesh Object
Free Move: Set the Height of a Scenery Mesh Object
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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. |
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Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the Height setting:- |
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Right Click in the Height setting in the Tool Options Palette |
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select the Get Height from Selection option |
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To set the height of a selected scenery mesh object, choose one of the following:-
Options: |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 The Info Palette below). |
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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. |
Mesh Object Context Menu |
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Cut |
remove the selected object or objects from the route and move them into the Scrapbook |
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Copy |
copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook |
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Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
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Delete |
delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
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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 |
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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 |
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Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match, as far as possible, the height of each object |
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Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth") |
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Apply Height |
sets the height of the selected objects to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting |
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Reset Object Rotation |
resets the rotation angle of the selected objects to their default values |
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Randomise Object Rotation |
applies a random rotation angle to each selected object around its vertical axis |
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Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
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Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected object |
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To name (or rename) an object, select this option and enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box. Then click the button
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Free Move: Track Objects
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Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, markers, etc) are always attached to an existing track |
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In Surveyor 2.0 they can be moved left, right, above and below the track |
Free Move: Move a Track Object
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Track objects can be dragged to new positions along and beside the track or to a different track |
Track objects that have been moved away from or closer to the track will still function normally.
| Situations where it is useful to be able to move a track object away from the track include:- |
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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 |
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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 |
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Free Move: Set the Height of a Track Object
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Track objects can be raised above and lowered below the track level. |
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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. |
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Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the Height setting:- |
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Right Click in the Height setting in the Tool Options Palette |
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select the Get Height from Selection option |
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| A 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 |
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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: |
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Left Click the Context Icon OR |
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Press the T key |
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Track Object Context Menu |
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Cut |
remove the selected object or objects from the route and move them into the Scrapbook |
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Copy |
copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook |
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Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
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Delete |
delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
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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 |
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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. |
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Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match, as far as possible, the height of each object |
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Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth") |
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Apply Height |
sets the height of the objects to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting |
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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 |
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Rotate Trackside |
reverses the position of the object on the track (e.g. to the other side) |
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Change Junction Direction |
if the object is a track switch then its switch direction will be reversed |
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Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
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Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected object |
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To name (or rename) an object, select this option and enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box. Then click the button
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Notes:
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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: |
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Reattach to Track to cancel the both the height and position changes, OR |
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Settle on Ground to cancel the height change only |
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Track objects can also be rotated to the opposite side of the track.
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Steps: To rotate a track object:- |
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Open the track objects Context Menu (Left Click the icon or press the T key) |
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Select the option Rotate Trackside |
Rotating a track object does not change its distance from the track or its height.
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Free Move: Spline Objects (Including Track)
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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. |
Moving a spline can involve moving one of the following:- |
Options: |
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an endpoint, OR |
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a segment, OR |
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multiple segments including the whole length of the spline |
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Free Move: Move Spline Endpoints
Free Move: Move Spline 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.
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Not all splines have endpoints at each ends. 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.
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IF you are going to select and move more than one spline segment, then:- |
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hold the Shift key down and individually Left Click between the endpoints on each additional segment.
The last segment that you Left Click will have the temporary endpoint and Context Icons added. |
| To select ALL the segments in a spline, Double Left Click on a segment
If the spline contains a junction then this will only select all the segments upto the junction point
The segment that you double-clicked will have the temporary endpoint and Context Icons added. |
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Left Click and Drag the selected segment(s) in any horizontal direction.
If you had selected:- |
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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 |
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multiple spline segments then those segments will be moved and the adjacent segments that were not selected will also have their shapes adjusted |
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the entire spline then ALL the segments and endpoints will be moved |
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Free Move: Add a Spline Junction
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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. |
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The Free Move Tool cannot be used to add a junction, you MUST USE the Placement Tool |
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Steps: To add a junction to a spline object:- |
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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 |
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Select the Placement Tool from the Tools Palette |
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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 |
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move the mouse pointer out from the junction to where the next endpoint of the spline branch will be placed and Left Click |
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Steps: To remove a junction but keep all its spline segments:- |
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select (Left Click on) the junction endpoint |
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open the endpoint Context Menu by a Left Click on its Context Icon or by pressing the T key |
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select the Separate Splines menu option (this will separate ALL the spline segments that meet at that endpoint) |
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A junction can be removed by deleting any spline segment that connects to it |
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A junction endpoint can be moved by using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool |
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Free Move: Add a Track Junction
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A track junction is formed using track splines in the same way as described above but track junctions have additional features |
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Using Procedural Tracks
If the track object used is a Procedural Track then the junction endpoint dot will be coloured:- |
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RED (as shown above) if the junction exceeds the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction, OR |
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BLACK if the junction is within the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction |
See the Wiki Page How to Use Procedural Track for more details |
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Free Move: Set Spline Height
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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: |
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Use the Eyedropper
Steps: To copy the Height of a spline segment (but not an endpoint):- |
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hold down the Alt key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment |
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while holding down the Alt key Left Click on the spline segment |
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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 Asset Palette to the object clicked and it will become the next object added by a Left Click with the Placement Tool |
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If the segment has a slope then the height at the point clicked will be copied into the Height setting and the spline gradient will be copied into the Grade setting |
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OR |
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Use the Height setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Height of a spline segment or one of its endpoints:- |
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Left Click on the spline segment or endpoint |
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Right Click in the Tool Options Palette Height setting box |
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Select the Get Height from Selection option |
If the selected spline segment has a slope then the height at its midpoint will be used |
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To set the height of a selected spline (including track) or endpoint, choose one of the following:-
Options: |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 The Info Palette below). |
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To set the heights of multiple spline segments to the value stored in the Tool Options Palette Height setting:- |
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Select the spline segments using:-
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Shift + Left Click to select individual segmants, OR |
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Double Left Click to select all the segments up to the next junction (in both directions). |
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Select one of the options , , or described above |
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ALL the selected spline segments and their endpoints will be set to the specified height. |
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Free Move: Set Spline Gradient
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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: |
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Use the Eyedropper
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment (but not an endpoint):- |
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hold down the Alt key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment |
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while holding down the Alt key Left Click on the spline segment |
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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 Asset Palette to the object clicked and it will become the next object added by a Left Click with the Placement Tool |
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The height at the point clicked will also be copied into the Height setting |
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OR |
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Use the Grade setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment or one of its endpoints:- |
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Left Click on the spline segment or endpoint |
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Right Click in the Tool Options Palette Grade setting box |
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Select the Get Grade from Selection option |
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To set the gradient of a selected spline segment (including track), choose one of the following:-
Options: |
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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 |
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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 to apply the existing grade value. The endpoint that has been selected will be the starting point of the grade. |
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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.
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Notes: |
Splines have two different Context Icons that lead to two slightly different Context Menus. |
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one context icon and menu for each endpoint |
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one context icon and menu for the segment |
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. |
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To open a selected objects Context Menu choose one of the following:-
Options: |
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Left Click the Context Icon OR |
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Press the T key |
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Spline Object Context Menus |
Endpoint Context Menu
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Segment Context Menu
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Cut |
remove the selected segment or segments from the route and move them into the Scrapbook ( only) |
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Copy |
copy the selected segment or segments and place them into the Scrapbook ( only) |
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Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
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Delete |
delete the segment, segments or endpoint. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
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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 ( only) |
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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 ( only) |
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Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the segment or segments to match the set height of the spline (does not work for endpoints ) |
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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 |
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Apply Height to this Spline Endpoint |
sets the height of the selected endpoint to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting ( only) |
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| You 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.
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 |
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Apply Height |
sets the height of the selected segment or segments to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting ( only) |
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Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint |
you must first select a segment then click on one of its endpoint icons . 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 |
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| You 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.
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 |
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Straighten Spline |
forces a straight line (as far as possible) between the endpoints of a single segment. This option will be ticked if the segment has already been straightened in which case selecting this option will "un-straighten" the segment and remove the tick ( only) |
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Separate Splines |
breaks two spline segments into two separate (independent) splines at the selected endpoint ( only) |
Merge Splines |
removes the selected endpoint between two segments and merges the segments into one ( only). Two segments can also be merged by deleting a selected endpoint with the Delete key |
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Insert Spline Point Here |
splits the selected segment into two segments by adding a new endpoint at the point where the segment was clicked ( only) |
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Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected spline object in the Assets Palette |
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Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected spline object |
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To name (or rename) an object, select this option and enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box. Then click the button
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Free Move: Rolling Stock Objects
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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.
| To 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 |
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Free Move: Decouple Rolling Stock Objects
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All decoupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects are performed using just a Left Click and Drag. |
| To decouple a string 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 |
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A rolling stock object or objects in the middle of a consist can also be decoupled. This will break the consist into 3 sections.
Free Move: Couple Rolling Stock Objects
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All coupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects can be performed using just a Left Click and Drag or through the objects Context Menu. |
Options:
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. |
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Steps: To Couple rolling stock objects:- |
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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)
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If more than one object has to be selected then use a Shift + Left Click to individually select each object |
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If ALL the objects in a consist have to be selected then use a Double Left Click on any object in the consist |
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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
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If the selected object (or objects) is already part of a consist then dragging will decouple it from the consist before moving it |
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When it reaches the target object and couples it cannot be moved any further |
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Release the object when it has coupled and it will return to its correct height |
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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.
There are two possible outcomes depending on which object has the Context Icon
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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: |
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Left Click its Context Icon OR |
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Press the T key |
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Rolling Stock Object Context Menu |
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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. |
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Paste |
the contents of the current Scrapbook will be pasted at the cursor (focus) point |
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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. |
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Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the rolling stock object to match its set 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 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 Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected rolling stock object |
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To name (or rename) an object, select this option and enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box. Then click the button
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Keyboard Shortcut: D |
The Fine Adjustment Tool makes 3D adjustments (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 Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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The Fine Adjustment Tool has no drop down menu lists.
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| Fine Adjustment Alternatives |
In addition to the Fine Adjustment Tool the position and/or height of objects can be changed by choosing one of the following:- |
Options: |
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using the Free Move Tool |
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editing its x y z r p y values in The Info Palette |
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selecting the Apply Height option in its Context Menu |
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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, which control the position and orientation of an object or a group of objects. |
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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 |
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Not all objects will have Red and/or Green rotational Anchors. |
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The Object Anchor |
(black central dot) moves the object in any horizontal direction |
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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 |
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Steps: To use the Fine Adjustment Tool controls:- |
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move the tool pointer onto an Anchor - its colour will change to yellow for Anchor lines or green for the Object Anchor |
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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) |
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| To achieve finer and more accurate control when moving anchors, choose one of the following:- |
Options: |
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zoom in closer to the anchor point, OR |
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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 The Info Palette below), OR |
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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 1° accuracy (see The Info Palette below). |
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Naming an Object with the Fine Adjustment Tool
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Steps: To name an object using the Fine Adjustment Tool:- |
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Select the object to be named. If more than one object has been selected then only the object with the Context Icon will be named |
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Open the Context Menu of the selected object - either Left Click on its icon or press the T key |
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Select the menu option Edit Properties |
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Enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box and click the button |
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Fine Adjustment: Scenery Mesh Objects
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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 Mesh Object
To move an object with the Fine Adjustment Tool choose one of the following:- |
Options: |
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Left Click and Drag anywhere on the selected object (except on an Anchor line) to move it freely in any horizontal direction |
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OR |
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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. |
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Blue vertical Anchor movement
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Green Anchor rotation
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Red Anchor rotation
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Blue Anchor rotation
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Notes:
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Not all objects will have Red or Green Rotational Anchors |
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Objects can be restored to their original height and rotation settings by opening their Context Menu and choosing one of the following:-
Options: |
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Reset Object Rotation to cancel the rotation changes, OR |
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Settle on Ground to cancel the height change |
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The Randomise Object Rotation option in the Context Menu only affects rotations around the vertical axis - the Blue Rotational Anchor.
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Fine Adjustment: Set the Height of a Scenery Mesh Object
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Scenery Mesh objects can be raised above and lowered below the ground level. |
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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. |
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Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the Height setting:- |
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Right Click in the Height setting in the Tool Options Palette |
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select the Get Height from Selection option |
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To set the height of a selected scenery mesh object, choose one of the following:-
Options: |
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Left Click and Drag Up/Down on the Blue vertical Anchor line. Movement is restricted to the length of the Anchor line only, OR |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 The Info Palette below). |
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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. |
Mesh Object Context Menu |
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Cut |
remove the selected object or objects from the route and move them into the Scrapbook |
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Copy |
copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook |
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Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
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Delete |
delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
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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 |
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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. |
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Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match, as far as possible, the height of each object |
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Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth") |
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Apply Height |
sets the height of the objects to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting |
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Reset Object Rotation |
resets the rotation angle of the objects to their default values |
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Randomise Object Rotation |
applies a random Blue Rotation Anchor angle to each object around its vertical axis |
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Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
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Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected object |
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To name (or rename) an object, select this option and enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box. Then click the button
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Fine Adjustment: Track Objects
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Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, markers, etc) are always attached to an existing track |
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In Surveyor 2.0 they can be moved left, right, above and below the track |
Fine Adjustment: Move a Track Object
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Track objects can be dragged to new positions along and beside the track or to a different track |
Fine Adjustment: Set the Height of a Track Object
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Track objects can be raised above and lowered below the track level. |
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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. |
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Steps: To copy the height of any selected object into the Height setting:- |
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Right Click in the Height setting in the Tool Options Palette |
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select the Get Height from Selection option |
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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: |
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Left Click the Context Icon OR |
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Press the T key |
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Track Object Context Menu |
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Cut |
remove the selected object or objects from the route and move them into the Scrapbook |
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Copy |
copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook |
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Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
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Delete |
delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
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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 |
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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. |
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Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match, as far as possible, the height of each object |
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Settle on Ground |
sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth") |
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Apply Height |
sets the height of the objects to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting |
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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 |
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Rotate Trackside |
reverses the position of the object on the track (e.g. to the other side) |
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Change Junction Direction |
if the object is a track switch then its switch direction will be reversed |
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Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
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Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected object |
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To name (or rename) an object, select this option and enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box. Then click the button
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Notes:
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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: |
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Reattach to Track to cancel the both the height and position changes, OR |
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Settle on Ground to cancel the height change only |
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Track objects can also be rotated to the opposite side of the track.
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Steps: To rotate a track object:- |
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Open the track objects Context Menu (Left Click the icon or press the T key) |
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Select the option Rotate Trackside |
Rotating a track object does not change its distance from the track or its height.
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Fine Adjustment: Spline Objects (Including Track)
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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. |
To move a spline, choose one of the following:- |
Options: |
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moving an endpoint, OR |
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moving a segment, OR |
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moving multiple segments including the whole length of the spline |
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Fine Adjustment: Move Spline Endpoints
Fine Adjustment: Move Spline Segments
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The Green rotational Anchor CANNOT be used on Track splines
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The 3D Anchor Frame shown is for a spline segment.
Steps: To move spline segments:- |
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Select the Fine Adjustment Tool. |
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Select, Left Click on, the spline segment to be moved. |
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Left Click and Drag one of the following:- |
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Options: |
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an Anchor to move the endpoint in that specific direction, OR |
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anywhere in a segment to move it in any direction in the horizontal plane |
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To select:-
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more than one segment - Shift + Left Click on each segment |
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ALL the segments - Double Left Click on a segment. This will select segments in both directions from the segment clicked. If the spline contains a junction then this will only select the segments upto the junction point |
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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. |
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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 |
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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
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Fine Adjustment: Add a Spline Junction
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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. |
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The Fine Adjustment Tool cannot be used to add a junction, you MUST USE the Placement Tool |
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Steps: To add a junction to a spline object:- |
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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 |
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Select the Placement Tool from the Tools Palette |
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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 |
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move the mouse pointer out from the junction to where the next endpoint of the spline branch will be placed and Left Click |
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Steps: To remove a junction but keep all its spline segments:- |
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select (Left Click on) the junction endpoint |
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open the endpoint Context Menu by a Left Click on its Context Icon or by pressing the T key |
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select the Separate Splines menu option (this will separate ALL the spline segments that meet at that endpoint) |
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A junction can be removed by deleting any spline segment that connects to it |
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A junction endpoint can be moved by using the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool |
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Fine Adjustment: Add a Track Junction
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A track junction is formed using track splines in the same way as described above but track junctions have additional features |
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Using Procedural Tracks
If the track object used is a Procedural Track then the junction endpoint dot will be coloured:- |
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RED (as shown above) if the junction exceeds the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction, OR |
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BLACK if the junction is within the maximum allowed values for a procedural junction |
See the Wiki Page How to Use Procedural Track for more details |
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Fine Adjustment: Set Spline Height
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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: |
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Use the Eyedropper
Steps: To copy the Height of a spline segment (but not an endpoint):- |
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hold down the Alt key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment |
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while holding down the Alt key Left Click on the spline segment |
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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 Asset Palette to the object clicked and it will become the next object added by a Left Click with the Placement Tool |
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If the segment has a slope then the height at the point clicked will be copied into the Height setting and the spline gradient will be copied into the Grade setting |
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OR |
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Use the Height setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Height of a spline segment or one of its endpoints:- |
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Left Click on the spline segment or endpoint |
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Right Click in the Tool Options Palette Height setting box |
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Select the Get Height from Selection option |
If the selected spline segment has a slope then the height at its midpoint will be used |
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To set the height of a selected spline (including track) or endpoint, choose one of the following:-
Options: |
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Left Click and Drag Up or Down on the vertical Blue anchor line in the 3D Anchor Frame. OR |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 The Info Palette below). |
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To set the heights of multiple spline segments to the value stored in the Tool Options Palette Height setting:- |
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Select the spline segments using:-
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Shift + Left Click to select individual segmants, OR |
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Double Left Click to select all the segments up to the next junction (in both directions). |
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Select one of the options , , , or described above |
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ALL the selected spline segments and their endpoints will be set to the specified height. |
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Fine Adjustment: Set Spline Gradient
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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: |
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Use the Eyedropper
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment (but not an endpoint):- |
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hold down the Alt key and move the mouse tool pointer onto the spline segment |
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while holding down the Alt key Left Click on the spline segment |
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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 Asset Palette to the object clicked and it will become the next object added by a Left Click with the Placement Tool |
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The height at the point clicked will also be copied into the Height setting |
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OR |
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Use the Grade setting drop down menu
Steps: To copy the Grade of a spline segment or one of its endpoints:- |
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Left Click on the spline segment or endpoint |
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Right Click in the Tool Options Palette Grade setting box |
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Select the Get Grade from Selection option |
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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: |
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Left Click the Context Icon OR |
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Press the T key |
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Notes: |
Splines have two different Context Icons that lead to two slightly different Context Menus. |
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one context icon and menu for each endpoint |
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one context icon and menu for the segment |
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. |
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Spline Object Context Menus |
Endpoint Context Menu
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Segment Context Menu
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Cut |
remove the selected segment or segments from the route and move them into the Scrapbook ( only) |
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Copy |
copy the selected segment or segments and place them into the Scrapbook ( only) |
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Paste |
paste the contents of the current Scrapbook at the cursor (focus) point |
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Delete |
delete the segment, segments or endpoint. It has the same effect as pressing the Delete key |
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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 ( only) |
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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 ( only) |
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Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the segment or segments to match the set height of the spline (does not work for endpoints ) |
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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 |
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Apply Height to this Spline Endpoint |
sets the height of the selected endpoint to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting ( only) |
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| You 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.
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 |
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Apply Height |
sets the height of the selected segment or segments to the value in the Tool Options Palette Height setting ( only) |
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Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint |
you must first select a segment then click on one of its endpoint icons . 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 |
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| You 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.
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 |
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Straighten Spline |
forces a straight line (as far as possible) between the endpoints of a single segment. This option will be ticked if the segment has already been straightened in which case selecting this option will "un-straighten" the segment and remove the tick ( only) |
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Separate Splines |
breaks two spline segments into two separate (independent) splines at the selected endpoint ( only) |
Merge Splines |
removes the selected endpoint between two segments and merges the segments into one ( only). Two segments can also be merged by deleting a selected endpoint with the Delete key |
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Insert Spline Point Here |
splits the selected segment into two segments by adding a new endpoint at the point where the segment was clicked ( only) |
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Select in Assets Palette |
highlights the selected spline object in the Assets Palette |
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Edit Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected spline object |
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To name (or rename) an object, select this option and enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box. Then click the button
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Fine Adjustment: Rolling Stock Objects
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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.
| To 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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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The Green Horizontal Anchor Line will move the selected rolling stock object or objects along the track |
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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 |
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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".
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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. |
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Fine Adjustment: Decouple Rolling Stock Objects
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All decoupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects are performed using just a Left Click and Drag. |
| To decouple a string 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 |
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A rolling stock object or objects in the middle of a consist can also be decoupled. This will break the consist into 3 sections.
Fine Adjustment: Couple Rolling Stock Objects
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All coupling operations between Rolling Stock Objects can be performed using just a Left Click and Drag or through the objects Context Menu. |
Options:
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. |
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Steps: To Couple rolling stock objects:- |
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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)
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If more than one object has to be selected then use a Shift + Left Click to individually select each object |
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If ALL the objects in a consist have to be selected then use a Double Left Click on any object in the consist |
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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
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If the selected object (or objects) is already part of a consist then dragging will decouple it from the consist before moving it |
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When it reaches the target object and couples it cannot be moved any further |
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Release the object when it has coupled and it will return to its correct height |
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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.
There are two possible outcomes depending on which object has the Context Icon
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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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 objects Context Menu choose one of the following:- |
Options: |
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Left Click its Context Icon OR |
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Press the T key |
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Spline Object Context Menu |
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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. |
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Paste |
the contents of the current Scrapbook will be pasted at the cursor (focus) point |
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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. |
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Smooth Ground Under Selected |
changes the height of the terrain under the rolling stock object to match its set 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 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 Properties |
opens the Properties window of the selected rolling stock object |
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To name (or rename) an object, select this option and enter a name in the Properties Name Entry text box. Then click the button
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In the current Surveyor 2.0 Beta test versions for the next Trainz Plus release, the naming of objects has been moved from the Properties Window to the Info Palette |
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Fine Adjustment: Object Height Problem Solutions
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Two Anchor Points on the Blue vertical Anchor line determine the height of an endpoint or an object above the ground. |
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the height of a Rolling Stock Object (locomotive, wagon, etc) CANNOT be altered |
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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 |
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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. |
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A more complex alternative method is to use the Surveyor Compass Rose, the Info Palette and the Tool Options Palette.
The Surveyor Compass Rose |
Steps: Use the Compass Rose:- |
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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 |
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Open the Focus controls in the Info Palette by a Left Click on the small Right Arrowhead to the left of the Focus label |
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The Info Palette stores the positional data, including the Height (the z value), of the Compass Rose under the label Focus |
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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 |
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Open the Context Menu for the object (or spline endpoint) |
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Select the option Apply Height or Apply Height to this Spline Endpoint |
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Keyboard Shortcut: F |
The Marquee Tool selects and copies objects, deletes baseboards, adds new baseboards and sets their properties, adds texture to baseboards in a Trainz World |
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 Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.
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The Marquee Tool has no drop down menu lists.
In the image above:- |
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a road spline at the bottom and a house at the lower left of the Marquee Selection Area have been overlain by the drawn rectangle so they have been included in the selection. |
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the Marquee Selection Area was drawn from the top left to the bottom right which places the Marquee Context Icon at the bottom right of the rectangle. |
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the bottom right of the Marquee Selection Area also has a 3D Anchor Frame. |
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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.
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The Marquee Selection Area 3D Anchor Frame has some similarities to the one used with the Fine Adjustment Tool.
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the Green and Red horizontal Anchors will move the Marquee and all its contents in the Anchor direction |
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the Blue rotational Anchor will rotate the Marquee with all its contents in the direction of the rotation movement |
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there are no Green and Red rotational Anchors |
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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 |
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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 |
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Steps: To Create a Marquee Selection Area:- |
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select the Marquee Tool (or press the F key) |
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Left Click and Drag out the Marquee Selection Area around the objects to be selected |
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The Marquee Tool and the Assets Palette Filter
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The Assets Palette filter tools can be used to restrict the objects selected by the Marquee Tool. |
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Steps: To restrict the objects selected by the Marquee Tool:- |
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set the Filter Type in the Assets Palette to Filter Selection |
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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) |
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select the Marquee Tool from the Tools Palette (or press the F key) |
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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 |
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Using the Filters shown above, the Marquee Selection Area only selects scenery spline objects.
Marquee Anchor Controls
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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
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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. |
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Rotational Anchor Shift
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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. |
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Vertical Anchor Shift
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The Blue vertical Anchor has been used to lift the Marquee Selection Area upwards. |
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Notes:
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The Marquee Anchors will move:- |
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the selected scenery objects. If the objects are in locked layers then they will be copied before being moved and the original objects will remain in place |
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the ground textures. As shown in two of the images this will leave the original baseboard ground texture showing |
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the effect layers |
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the ground heights |
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Scrapbook Operations
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Notes:
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Scrapbooks, when created, will contain:- |
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Ground Heights |
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Ground Textures |
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Effect Layers - if present |
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Selected Objects - scenery items, splines, track, signals, etc |
But NOT Rolling Stock (Trains)
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Ground heights, textures and effect layers are always included in a scrapbook but you can control which visible objects are added by manually selecting them. |
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Notes:
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Scrapbooks, when painted or pasted, can contain any combinations of:- |
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Ground Heights |
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Ground Textures |
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Effect Layers |
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Scenery Objects (Meshes) - individual buildings, trees, signals, etc |
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Scenery Splines - roads, track, fences, etc |
You have options in the Scrapbook Filters that will control which of these data categories are copied and how they are copied from the scrapbook into a route. |
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Once an area has been marked out by the Marquee Tool a number of options become available.
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The 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 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 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 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 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 |
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Adding a New Scrapbook
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The Cut and Copy Scrapbook operations are also found in the Marquee Context Menu (see the Marquee Context Menu section above). |
| You 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 height, ground textures, and any effect layers, will be copied into a new Scrapbook |
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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.
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The newly created scrapbook will be given:- |
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a name consisting of the date and time of its creation |
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a thumbnail |
| The 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
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a scrapbook number (it will be inserted as №1 scrapbook) |
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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 |
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Notes:
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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 |
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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 |
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Deleting a Scrapbook after it has been pasted does not delete the objects that it has added to the route |
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There are two changes that can be made to the new scrapbook:-
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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 (pressing the Enter key does not work - a known bug) |
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Make it permanent - Left Click the white Pin icon () 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 and the words "pinned, no expiry" displayed next to their scrapbook № |
| The Pinning of any scrapbook can be reversed so that it will then expire in 5 days time. Left Click the blue pin icon. |
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Once a scrapbook has been Pinned it becomes an asset and will appear in Content Manager
The scrapbook can be uploaded to the DLS and saved as a CDP file.
| You 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. |
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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 or press the T key.
Marquee Context Menu |
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Cut |
removes the objects in the selection area from the route and moves them into the Scrapbook. Ground heights, textures and effect layers will be copied, not cut. Has the same effect as pressing the Ctrl + X keys |
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Copy |
copies the objects in the selection area and moves them into the Scrapbook. Has the same effect as pressing the Ctrl + C keys |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Set Marquee To Brush Height |
changes the ground height of the selection area to the brush height in the Tool Options Palette |
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Convert Baseboards To |
converts the grid of the entire baseboard or baseboards covered by the selection area into the resolution selected from the two options - 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 |
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Delete Baseboards in Marquee |
deletes the entire baseboard or baseboards covered by the selection area. See Notes: below |
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Select in Assets Palette |
identifies and selects in the Assets Palette the most common ground texture used in the selection area |
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Notes:
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.
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Managing Baseboards
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The Marquee is a powerful tool for adding, deleting and changing the properties of multiple baseboards |
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Steps: To add new baseboards:- |
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select the Marquee Tool (or press the F key). |
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Left Click and Drag to draw out an area where the new baseboards will be added. This area can include the current baseboard. |
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. |
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Left Click on the Context Icon or press the T key to open up the Marquee Context Menu (see Marquee Context Menu above). |
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Create, Convert, Delete |
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To Create new baseboards, and to Convert selected baseboards to a different Grid Resolution, select the Context Menu option Convert Baseboards To > then select a resolution from two sub-options, 5m Grid and 10m Grid . If existing baseboards have been selected then they will also be converted to the new resolution.
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To Delete baseboards select the Context Menu option Delete Baseboards in Marquee . The Ctrl + Z keys can Undo the deletion.
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To set the selected baseboards to the Height value in the Tool Options Palette 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.
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Mass Object Moves and Clones
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| Both 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 Surface Height, Ground Textures and any Effect Layers in the cloning and moving operations.
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Selecting and Moving Multiple Objects
Multiple objects can be selected and moved with the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool.
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Notes: Mass Moves
The objects do not have to be:- |
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the same type. They can be a mixture of scenery splines and mesh objects |
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in the same layers but objects in Locked layers cannot be moved |
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| You can also use the Marquee Tool to move objects but this will move Ground Heights, Ground Textures and Effect Layers as well as objects. |
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Selecting Multiple Identical Objects
You can quickly select all nearby identical objects by a Double Left Click on an object.
| This 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. |
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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. |
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| Shift + Double Left Click on another object. It and all its identical copies will be added to the selection. |
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Cloning Objects
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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. |
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Notes: Layers and Cloning
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the objects can be in different layers |
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the layers can be locked and the objects will still be cloned |
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all the cloned objects will be placed into the current Active Layer which must be Unlocked |
For more information on layers see The Info Palette at the end of this document. |
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Steps: To clone an object or a group of objects:- |
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use either the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool to select the object or objects |
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Ctrl + Left Click and Drag on any of the selected objects |
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If the Info Palette is not visible on the screen then refer to Notes: Palettes at the top of this document. Some Info Palette functions will also require the Assets Palette and the Tool Options Palette.
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This palette can be easily overlooked but it has some very useful features:- |
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providing precise data and control over the "focus" - the position of the cursor |
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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) |
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identifying and setting the "home" layer and binding layer of a selected object |
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used for locking and unlocking a selected objects layer |
Palette Coordinates
The components of the Info Palette are identified in the image below.
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Each of the small arrowhead icons will open the palette to display more information and some controls. |
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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.
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Steps: |
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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 |
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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 |
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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 |
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Copy |
will copy the contents of the selected setting into your Operating System clipboard without deleting it |
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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 |
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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.
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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. |
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Focus Info and Controls
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The Focus shows the current position and height of the Cursor object. |
Open up the Focus by a Left Click on its arrowhead icon.
| Before changing the cursor position with the Focus controls, set a Bookmark at its current position.
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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.
| 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 position in smaller increments down to centimetres |
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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.
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| If it has not been deleted you can identify the original (first) baseboard by entering 0 as the Focus x and y co-ordinates |
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"Name" refers to the name of the asset as displayed in the Assets Palette and in Content Manager |
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To name or rename a selected object in the current release of Trainz Plus open its Context Menu (Left Click on its icon or press the T key) and select the Edit Properties option |
You must have an object (or objects) selected for a name to be shown and for this menu to be available.
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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 objects name is a small white Down Arrowhead. Left Click on the arrowhead to open its menu.
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Asset Name Menu Options |
Copy |
NOT WORKING (a known bug) - copies the objects text details into your Operating System Clipboard for pasting, for example, into a text editor |
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Show Asset Details |
opens a new window showing the image and description of the selected object |
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List Assets in New Window |
opens up Content Manager and lists all the selected objects |
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Add to Picklist |
adds selected objects to a Picklist |
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Remove from Picklist |
removes selected objects from a Picklist (objects must already be in a Picklist) |
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Select in Assets Palette |
selects and highlights the selected object in the Assets Palette |
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Position Info and Controls
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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.
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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.
| 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 position in smaller increments down to centimetres |
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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. |
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Rotation Info and Controls
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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.
Layer Info and Controls
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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.
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Notes:
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the Info Palette is best used to show and edit the layer and binding layer assignments of individual selected objects |
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operations such as creating, deleting, merging, renaming, moving and hiding layers are performed using the Layers Palette |
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layers can be Locked and Unlocked using the Info Palette or the Layers Palette but the Layers Palette is often the better choice for these tasks |
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This will show the:-
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current layer assigned to the selected object |
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its assigned Binding Layer (if any) |
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the Locked or Unlocked state of the assigned layer |
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Layer is currently Unlocked. Click this button to Lock the layer |
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Layer is currently Locked. Click this button to Unlock the layer |
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Using this button will also change the Locked or Unlocked padlock icon shown next to the layer name in the Layers Palette
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Notes:
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Objects in a Locked Layer cannot be deleted or moved |
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Locked Layers can be deleted, moved and merged with other layers |
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Assigning Objects to a Different Layer
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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.
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The Active Layer is the layer used by the Placement Tool when objects are added to a route (or session). This button gives you the opportunity to set the Active Layer to the same layer that you just used to assign to an object. Its use is optional. |
| You can also set the Active Layer by selecting its name from the list in the Layers Palette. |
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Options: To set current layer to the Active Layer:- |
If the Select Layer button is greyed out |
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then the selected object is now assigned to the current Active Layer so there is no need to use this option |
If it is NOT greyed out |
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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
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Assigning Objects to a Binding Layer
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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 |
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Binding Layer |
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Object Status |
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Unlocked |
or None |
Unlocked |
LOCKED |
or or None |
LOCKED |
Unlocked |
LOCKED |
LOCKED |
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Visible |
or None |
Visible |
HIDDEN |
or or None |
HIDDEN |
Visible |
HIDDEN |
HIDDEN |
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In Summary:- |
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If the Assigned Layer or the Binding Layer of an object is Locked then the object will be Locked |
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If the Assigned Layer or the Binding Layer of an object is Hidden then the object will be Hidden |
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Notes:
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Objects in a Hidden Layer cannot be seen and therefore, cannot be selected, deleted or moved |
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The Layers Palette is the ONLY way to create, delete, name and hide layers |
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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
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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
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Steps: To change the assigned binding layer of an object or group of objects:- |
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Left Click on the Binding drop down box. If the object is already bound to a layer (for a single selected object only) the binding layer will be shown with a in front of its name |
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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 |
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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 |
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As an example, the image below shows what you will see for a single object that has had:- |
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its assigned layer changed (in the example from "route-layer" to "Station Buildings") |
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its binding layer set (in the example to "Multi Industries") |
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the newly assigned layer is not locked so you have the option to lock it |
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the newly assigned layer is not the Active Layer so you have the option to make it the Active Layer |
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More information on creating, editing and using Layers can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:-
- How to Use Layers
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Trainz Wiki
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More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz
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This page was created by Trainz user pware in January 2023 and was last updated as shown below.