For complex situations using layers is a must. Best thing to have if it works as it should. I have about 40 layers in my map like two for platforms, one for roof, platform attributes and so on. Also for junction crossings i use different layers and the lock and hide options because the items are so close to each other.
Layers again.....
- Thread starter Ghost42
- Start date
Objects that sit on platforms, such as seats, luggage, luggage trolleys, etc I put into a separate layer because it can be extremely difficult to move them without first moving the platform. By locking the layer that contains the platform I can then move or delete these objects without any problems.
ccowan2126
Member
Without a doubt, yours is the best explanation/reason for using layers !! I have had issues, like you, where trying to move a particular object is difficult because I keep "grabbing" the wrong object. If those objects were in a different layer, they could not be "grabbed".
Thanks a million.
Layers are useful for trying out alternate layouts of objects when you're building a route.
For example, say I'm getting ready to place an industry by the tracks. In my mind I can think of two ways to place the various buildings, etc.
I'll make two layers, one titled "version 1" the other "version 2".
I select the "version1" layer and place the various objects that make up the industry. I then hide the "version 1" layer, select "version 2" layer and do the alternate layout.
I can then switch back and forth between the two versions to evaluate what each looks like. If I decide that version 2 looks the best, I just delete version1 and merge version 2 into the route layer.
Without layers you'd have to place all your buildings, then delete them all then do the alternate layout. Then, if you decide the first layout looked better, you'd have to delete everything again and re-do the first set of buildings.
This is a big timesaver as some industries are quite complex with multiple buildings, fences, parking lots, etc. And many times those objects have to be placed precisely in relation to each other and lots of time is spent tweaking their positions.
Todd
For example, say I'm getting ready to place an industry by the tracks. In my mind I can think of two ways to place the various buildings, etc.
I'll make two layers, one titled "version 1" the other "version 2".
I select the "version1" layer and place the various objects that make up the industry. I then hide the "version 1" layer, select "version 2" layer and do the alternate layout.
I can then switch back and forth between the two versions to evaluate what each looks like. If I decide that version 2 looks the best, I just delete version1 and merge version 2 into the route layer.
Without layers you'd have to place all your buildings, then delete them all then do the alternate layout. Then, if you decide the first layout looked better, you'd have to delete everything again and re-do the first set of buildings.
This is a big timesaver as some industries are quite complex with multiple buildings, fences, parking lots, etc. And many times those objects have to be placed precisely in relation to each other and lots of time is spent tweaking their positions.
Todd
ccowan2126
Member
Thanks, Todd, for another useful way of using layers. That helps me out tremendously.
Layers become indispensable when you are creating different sessions based on the same route.
For example, you may have a route which contains both industries and stations.
In one session you operate normal weekday freight and passenger services. The industries are active and have delivery trucks at the loading bays and workers cars in the car parks - the trucks and cars in a "weekday" session layer. In another session, set on a Sunday when the industries are closed and the workers car parks are empty, you may be running an historic steam shuttle passenger service so the roads along the route are populated with spectators and "happy snappers" with their cars parked along the roadside. The spectators and their cars are in a "Sunday" session layer.
For example, you may have a route which contains both industries and stations.
In one session you operate normal weekday freight and passenger services. The industries are active and have delivery trucks at the loading bays and workers cars in the car parks - the trucks and cars in a "weekday" session layer. In another session, set on a Sunday when the industries are closed and the workers car parks are empty, you may be running an historic steam shuttle passenger service so the roads along the route are populated with spectators and "happy snappers" with their cars parked along the roadside. The spectators and their cars are in a "Sunday" session layer.
I agree that layers are really helpful, but the implementation is a bit poor. If we could click on the layers and have a list of assets that are in that layer, instead of clicking on each asset individually, it would make it a lot easier when including and excluding objects. It also would have been nice to have a selection tool to lasso around a group of objects into include in a specific layer.
John
John
PortlandBill
Member
I agree with John, the implementation is poor. It would be useful to know which layer is active when editing a route/session in surveyor to avoid having to move objects between layers. I also think that there is still a problem with track changes in a session. Generally though layers, without doubt, are indispensable.
Regards
Regards
cascaderailroad
New member
If I ever find out what exactly a layer is ... My route will have a base route, and one layer ... just like in TRS2006 ... What do multiple layers do for you ?
ccowan2126
Member
I must be missing something. I just created a new layer and called it "power grid" in the Route layer (as opposed to Session). I LOCKED the other three layers that are in the Route layer and placed some high tension power lines. I then locked the "power grid" layer and clicked the EYE to hide that layer: nothing happened. The only way to hide them is to close the route-layer itself; then everything is hidden. What gives?
ccowan2126
Member
That's a VERY good question 