My Straighten Track Tool Is Not Working

[Eaglefan9727]

OK - Shot 1: Don't use the 'straighten' tool on curves, only on track you want ruler straight! Using it on curves just kinks up the geometry.

Shot 2: The 'straighten' has worked, it's the curve that is wrong. Drag the closest vertex of the far straight slightly to the left (or drag the farthest vertex to the right) and the curve will be perfect...

Andy

So I only use the 'straighten' tool on straight pieces of track and never on a curve section. Am I correct on that statement Andy?

When you mean "Drag"....Is there a way where I can move the vertex without deleting the track? If so, How is that done? BTW, Ive looked at the tutor section of the link someone posted and it really didnt help me out. I already had the track laying section printed out a few days ago.

 

[Dermmy]

So I only use the 'straighten' tool on straight pieces of track and never on a curve section. Am I correct on that statement Andy?

Yep!

When you mean "Drag"....Is there a way where I can move the vertex without deleting the track? If so, How is that done?

Track Tab (F4); Move Tool (M); Place the cursor on a track vertex, hold the left mouse button down and drag. Release the mouse button when the track is where you want it...

Andy

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Thanks Andy....Considering it is almost 3:00 in the morning my time. I will test it out later today. Its almost bedtime for me or I should say. Its past my bedtime by an hour.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Hey Andy - Here is a little test that I did with the move object just a few minutes ago. I used the 'straighten' tool on both straight pieces of track and then I used the move tool on the curve to the way I wanted it and here is the result. I think it came out pretty good for a first result. After a little practice, I think I will just get somewhat better. Thanks again Andy for the little tip on the move object and the 'straighten' tool.

BTW, I laid all 3 pieces down before I used the move tool on the curve vertex. Will that hurt the track in anyway when I try to run a train over the tracks?

 

[NevadaNorthernFan901]

May I just suggest this Tutorial http://www.trains.0catch.com/tutorial.html

Go to This Tutorial, It can also teach you more about track laying and signals and junctions.

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Go to This Tutorial, It will help you much

I have the track laying tutor already printed out from a few days ago.

Anyways, I just thought of another question. When I plan a mountain pass route. On one side of the tracks will be mountains going upward while the other is going downward. When I lay the track down. I dont want the terrain that is going downward look like a cliff. I want it to make it look like it is still going down at a normal steady pace of a mountain. Is there anyway possible for that to happen or do I have to play with the terrain in order for me to make it look like that?

I will post a pic if needed in what I am talking about

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Here is a little test run that I did with double mainline trackage while using 2 straight tracks on each line and using the 'straighten' tool. I know the curve is slightly sharp, But hey. Its my first run at doing this. Screenshots were taken from each side. I know that only practice will make it more better. Anyways, What do you think guys for the test run?

Now, It will get more interesting when I add the vertex height tool and trying to do this on a side of the mountain.....

 

[Dermmy]

Couple of hint:

1. Delete the vertexes half way along the curve. F4 > Advanced > X. Auran's track curve geometry is pretty good on short curves and you will get a very good approximation of a railway curve with a single spline length between two 'straightened' straights. On long curves the geometry gets a bit wonky, but on short curves like that it is fine.

2. Track laying in hills is a whole new can of worms, but one thing you should do is from the Surveyor Main Menu > Options > Surveyor Settings > Fixed Track Vertex Height > CheckMark. That will turn your vertexes yellow, but more importantly will stop the track from hugging uneven terrain...

Andy

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Here is what I was talking about earlier when it comes to the one side of the tracks will be mountains going upward while the other is going downward. I took this shot from the Desert Mountain Plains route.

And now, Here is what took place when I tried to lay track near a mountain a few days ago.

Can anyone tell me the best way to get results like the 1st picture that I just posted?

 

[Dermmy]

Not certain, but I suspect the first picture is DEM based terrain - in other words the terrain was created by a third party utility which overlaid digital elevation data onto a Trainz route. Smooth rolling hills are dead hard if you manipulate the terrain manually.

If you want to play around with DEM terrains, search the DLS for username fishlipsatwork or there are several at checkrail via my sig...

Andy

 

[Eaglefan9727]

Not certain, but I suspect the first picture is DEM based terrain - in other words the terrain was created by a third party utility which overlaid digital elevation data onto a Trainz route. Smooth rolling hills are dead hard if you manipulate the terrain manually.

If you want to play around with DEM terrains, search the DLS for username fishlipsatwork or there are several at checkrail via my sig...

Andy

Yep - I know what DEM is. It was the same way as MSTS. I think I will stick to my terrain manually which I think I do pretty good at it in Trainz compared to MSTS. Now, When I get over a certain point of about 70.00 or so. It becomes tricky for me with the terrain, But anything lower than that. Most of the time, I can master it in Trainz. All it takes is some time.

Here are 2 shots of the terrain that I did manually. For more info on the route, Follow this link http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=77163