Basemap Layer Takes Track With It.

[sandpaper600]

My first try with Basemap. I had no problem using a model train layout from a magazine to make a basemap image that covers 2 boards. Imported into game, no problems.

The trouble comes when I lay my track on the basemap image. I get a warning that 'the layer is locked or not visible, do I want to unlock it?' So I choose 'yes'.

I am able to lay track on the image, but when I go to the layers tab and hide the basemap image, it hides the track as well. I thought I would be able to lay track on this image, then hide or delete the layer when I was done with it. Isn't this the way it works? I tried to manually unlock the basemap layer before adding track as well...same result.

I then tried to delete the basemap image layer and was prompted with do I want to merge the layer into another layer before I delete. I thought it might save the track that way, so I chose to merge it into the route layer. All that accomplished was to save everything together - the track, the basemap image and all.

This seems like it should be so easy, but I'm obviously missing something.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

 

[Vostrail]

I think the issue is that, when you unhide / unlock the basemap image layer, then that layer, by default, becomes the selected layer for whatever you add next. Having unhidden it (you probably don't need to unlock it if it's just there as a template), select another layer where you wish to lay the track. Typically, that would be the 'route' layer but some prefer to create specific layers for different types of object.

 

[sandpaper600]

You're the man Vostrail! I knew it was something simple, but I just wasn't paying close enough attention. I checked out what I did and made sure to click back to the route layer and everything worked fine! Thanks again.

 

[Roy3b3]

My first try with Basemap. I had no problem using a model train layout from a magazine to make a basemap image that covers 2 boards. Imported into game, no problems.

The trouble comes when I lay my track on the basemap image. I get a warning that 'the layer is locked or not visible, do I want to unlock it?' So I choose 'yes'.

I am able to lay track on the image, but when I go to the layers tab and hide the basemap image, it hides the track as well. I thought I would be able to lay track on this image, then hide or delete the layer when I was done with it. Isn't this the way it works? I tried to manually unlock the basemap layer before adding track as well...same result.

I then tried to delete the basemap image layer and was prompted with do I want to merge the layer into another layer before I delete. I thought it might save the track that way, so I chose to merge it into the route layer. All that accomplished was to save everything together - the track, the basemap image and all.

This seems like it should be so easy, but I'm obviously missing something.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated!

I've used Basemapz on several occasions without any problems. You may find that when it is created, it produces a 'Route' with the number of baseboards required; plus you get an image asset that you can place yourself on the baseboard. I always use the latter one, not the route.

This enables you to remove the image after you've laid your tracks and roads or whenever you choose

When you start a new route with just the image asset, it will be placed on the Route Layer.

Then before you place any assets or track, add another Route Layer and name it say, 'Tracks'. Select the new Tracks layer and begin track-laying, roads, other important things. When you no longer need the image, delete that layer. then continue with your route. Good luck.

 

[sandpaper600]

Thanks Roy3b3. Just getting the hang of working with the layers system. I used to build the whole layout on one layer, but this makes it simple to hide parts that you don't need to see.