Fixed tracks and alignment

[Lucidor]

Dear All

I am struggling with getting smooooth curves and thought that the fixed tracks would fix the problem. The curve is ok, it´s smooth and nice but when it is suppose to straighten out there is this little "twist" that makes the train move sideways in an un-natural way.



Anyone have a solution?

Lucidor.

 

[Dermmy]

The secret to smooth spline curves is to use the 'Straighten Track' tool on the straights before and after the curve. It is not always possible but try to have no more than one spline point in the curve, and none is better....

Andy

 

[f_4phantom1959]

Dear All

I am struggling with getting smooooth curves and thought that the fixed tracks would fix the problem. The curve is ok, it´s smooth and nice but when it is suppose to straighten out there is this little "twist" that makes the train move sideways in an un-natural way.



Anyone have a solution?

Lucidor.

It might help if you can do a screen shot to show what you mean.

Peter M

 

[Lucidor]

Sorry to say I have no URL where to put my images. Any hint of how to do?

Lucidor

 

[bl4882]

Hello Lucidor,

Try Photobucket. It's free.

Bernie

 

[Lucidor]

Yeah, found it and I´m on it.

Thanks

 

[Bill69]

Dear All

I am struggling with getting smooooth curves and thought that the fixed tracks would fix the problem. The curve is ok, it´s smooth and nice but when it is suppose to straighten out there is this little "twist" that makes the train move sideways in an un-natural way.

Anyone have a solution?

Lucidor.

Hi Lucidor,

Try a short 10M length of straight fixed track at each end of your curve.

Cheers,
Bill69

 

[Lucidor]

http://s451.photobucket.com/albums/qq231/Lucidor56/Trainz/?action=view&current=Fixedtrack1.jpg

http://s451.photobucket.com/albums/qq231/Lucidor56/Trainz/?action=view&current=Fixedtrack2.jpg

This might help to make things clearer. Take a look.

Lucidor

 

[rweber95]

What is the kuid number of the fixed track that you're using?

Bob

 

[AussieNightcrawler]

I can see in the shots that the fixed track needs to come to the left a little by the look of it.

I don't usually use 'fixed track' to lay track, I use single track with guides to make sure everything lines up correctly.

By using guides and single track:

http://members.westnet.com.au/nightcrawler/trainz/screen_016.jpg

http://members.westnet.com.au/nightcrawler/trainz/screen_013.jpg

 

[bl4882]

Hello Lucidor,

The pics you linked were helpful and I think I see the problem. Bear with me and I hope this is understandable.

I think the problem is the geometry of your curve. The track splines in Trainz are designed to smooth things out and that is exactly what is happening in your picture. You seem to have a compound curve there. That is, the degree of curvature is greater at one end of the curve than the other. The trade off of the automatic smoothing is that Trainz doesn't do the compound curves very well in many cases.

You might want to try this. Instead of laying the curve first, lay the two straight tracks, or tangents. Then extend the tangents, either with track or with the ruler available in the Tools panel of surveyor somewhat past the point where they intersect. This will generate an angle. Actually, you can think of any curve as an angle. Once you have created the angle, measure back toward each tangent an equal distance, e.g., 50m, 100m, or however much will create the curvature you have in mind. Now insert spline points at the measured distances, delete any extra tangent track, and connect the two spline points you created. If you are using fixed track, lay straight track to the points you measured. If these two distances are equal, your twist should disappear and the transition should be smooth.

Hope this helps.

Bernie

 

[Lucidor]

I can see in the shots that the fixed track needs to come to the left a little by the look of it.

I don't usually use 'fixed track' to lay track, I use single track with guides to make sure everything lines up correctly.

By using guides and single track:

http://members.westnet.com.au/nightcrawler/trainz/screen_016.jpg

http://members.westnet.com.au/nightcrawler/trainz/screen_013.jpg

Thanks, but I am not really sure what you mean with guides.

 

[Lucidor]

Thanks bl4882

I tried your technique and it worked, fantastic smoothness. A bit too sharp but that is easily adjusted.

One step further towards perfection.

http://s451.photobucket.com/albums/...ction=view&current=SmoothCurveusingrolers.jpg


Lucidor

 

[bl4882]

How does one do a high five in the forum? :wave:

Bernie

 

[Lucidor]

You really made my day.

You really made my day.

I tried your technique on a S-curve as well and it works fine. I just had to have a bit of straight track in between the two opposit curves, then it´s just to play around with the section and create whatever curve shape you want.

Fantastic. But now I have to redo all curves on my layout. But that´s what this is all about isn´t it; learn and develop.

Lucidor