How to create cliffs??

[Chris750]

Hi all; Have been searching for almost an hour trying to find out how to make a sharp edge in Surveyor to create a cliff. As you can see below I am trying to get the track in the yellow box to be a level 0 while the track in the red at level 8, but setting the terrain to 8 makes slopes that cover up the yellow, and using 0 or plateau drops the ground in red. I cannot figure out how to make the level 8 face be a sharp cliff.

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[AMTRAKwannabe]

Switch to 5m grid, right click the add baseboard tool in the terrain tab and select 5m grid, then click the baseboard, then try it, it should fix it...

 

[Chris750]

Hi; That did help but setting the grid to 5m nuked my "table top" and stuff and even at 5m I think the tracks were too close together.

 

[llebrez]

The easy way out of this is to use assets made as splines. There are many, as embankments, retaining walls, etc; Too many to list. Set the terrain of the lower track and use the spline to fill the void so that the effect is as real as possible, then put the upper track over the upper part and adjust the levels.

 

[Chris750]

The easy way out of this is to use assets made as splines. There are many, as embankments, retaining walls, etc; Too many to list. Set the terrain of the lower track and use the spline to fill the void so that the effect is as real as possible, then put the upper track over the upper part and adjust the levels.

While I found the 'cliff' splines under objects before I posted this I could not determine how to use it and I admit I don't understand what you mean to 'fill the void'. If you mean raise the ground level the same thing occurs, it leaches out and covers the lower track.

 

[Chris750]

I found this site, I guess this is what you were talking about?

http://www.trainzone.co.nz/free.htm

 

[stagecoach]

Set the lower level ground height so the track is just in it. Place the cliff spline next to the track and adjust the height of the spline point so the top level is equal to the higher ground level. Now move the cliff spline into the position you want. Place the upper track and adjust the spline height to the upper level height and move into the position near the cliff edge. To finish use the level ground tool to smooth out any gaps between the ground and the cliff spline. The void will be the ground gap beneath the cliff spline which you wont see.

 

[Chris750]

Thanks, that worked. So I got the cliffs done and decided to test out my little route in driver and the white squares are still showing up, I thought they would disappear once in driver. Tried googling but can't find an answer nor did an advanced search of these forums. Anyone have any idea?

 

[BobCass]

check to see if those are light reflections..I know I had the same Problem..It would help if you could learn to very the cliff edges in and out..

 

[Chris750]

Nope, set the environment to night and they are still there. Thanks for the suggestion though.

 

[eso]

They look like markers for the dig holes. Try going into the buildings/structures tab and lowering their height below the floor level.

 

[BobCass]

Tutorial..

:wave:Chris: Here is one you might try..Lay a piece of track(curved or straight)..use vertical height button(track mode)..Height to desired Height..Then use smoothing tool, ground will up and meet the track..

 

[Chris750]

They look like markers for the dig holes. Try going into the buildings/structures tab and lowering their height below the floor level.

Will check it out, thanks. The dig hole 4x4 in the video doesn't leave these behind.

 

[Chris750]

:wave:Chris: Here is one you might try..Lay a piece of track(curved or straight)..use vertical height button(track mode)..Height to desired Height..Then use smoothing tool, ground will up and meet the track..

Ah ha, cool, will give it a go!!

***Ok, I tried it, laid the track and then selected 'smooth spline height' but it didn't make a steep cliff like yours, it made a wide mound. Is your board 5m or 10m? I think being 5m is the key.

 

[Chris750]

They look like markers for the dig holes. Try going into the buildings/structures tab and lowering their height below the floor level.

Yep, that is what they are, I was able to push them below the floor. Thanks.

 

[BobCass]

They are 5mm..Yes, 5mm better 10mm..

 

[cascaderailroad]

There are several dozen types of cliff splines

 

[jrfolco]

Below is a method that I used to place tracks close together at different elevations.



This screenshot is part of the B&O's Magnolia Cutoff on my Cumberland to Harpers Ferry route, and shows two main lines close together. The upper tracks are not resting on terrain, but are suspended at the desired elevation, and using "Ballast Spline" just below the ballast under the tracks. If you have the route, you'll find this scene just east of Paw Paw WV.

In 1913 the B&O began construction the Cutoff to eliminate grades, on the existing main, starting at Paw Paw WV, and following the serpentine route of the Potomac River east through the Allegheny Mountains. The new 12 mile Cutoff took a direct route through the mountains, at a higher elevation, with the construction of four tunnels, and two bridges.

Just East of Paw Paw the original main line had been laid in a narrow area between the river and a sheer 1000 ft ridge. In order to make room for the the new main, the railroad had to remove a staggering 80,000 cubic yards of rock, and lay the track at a higher elevation. After completion in 1914, the new line was used for freight, and the original line was used for passenger service.

In order to duplicate this scene on the Cumberland to Harpers Ferry route, I created "the Concrete Wall" (Kuid 73500:100119), and to apply terrain below the upper tracks, I created "Ballast Spline Dark" (Kuid 73500:100055). You can view them on my site under "My Content", and they are available on the DLS under "jrfolco", or "73500", along with "Ballast Spline Medium", and "Ballast Spline Light". They can be found in Surveyor in the "Objects-Add Spline" menu. Ballast Spline splines can be laid end to end, and, or, side by side to fill in larger areas between the wall and the terrain. The Concrete Wall is 40 ft high, however, if you want a higher elevation, just stack another section of the wall directly above the lower section using layers.

Joe

 

[Chris750]

Hi Joe; Thanks for the above, that is exactly what I have been trying to accomplish. I have to admit out of frustration I nuked my N scale route in the screen shot but am now going to try it again in HO on a 5m board. Is the cliff above on 5m or 10m board? Your site is also great!

And thanks to all who have tried to help me, I greatly appreciate it.:Y:

 

[jrfolco]

Hi Joe; Thanks for the above, that is exactly what I have been trying to accomplish. I have to admit out of frustration I nuked my N scale route in the screen shot but am now going to try it again in HO on a 5m board. Is the cliff above on 5m or 10m board? Your site is also great!

And thanks to all who have tried to help me, I greatly appreciate it.:Y:

Hi Chris

Everything is 10m.

Thanks,
Joe