perfect cyrves

[luvintrainz]

(admins move this thread if this is not in the correct place)
Hello, I've been wondering for a while, how do I make perfect curves just like on Jointed Rail's MWG Routes. it seems impossible to get them right and Id love to know how. thanks

EDIT: yes I realize I spelt "curves" wrong.

 

[ray_whiley]

The only easy way is to use fixed track - but perfect curves are not prototypical.

Ra

 

[flusi737]

but perfect curves are not prototypical.

Ra

Depends on the route and the terrain...i do think that our 330kph line from Cologne to Frankfurt in germany somehow needs to habe perfect curves. Also in the US...how about the Needles Sub....

Felix

 

[JIb228]

Depends on the route and the terrain...i do think that our 330kph line from Cologne to Frankfurt in germany somehow needs to habe perfect curves. Also in the US...how about the Needles Sub....

Felix

For the most part, Needles is a long boring straight line.

To layout the curves use more then 2 spline points, and a bit of straightened track. Layout a short length of track and use the B key to activate the straighten tool. Then lay out a second where you want the curve to return to straight and do the same. Now add track between them. Then using the add spline point and the move tool, add a few spline points to the curved track. Move the spline points until you get the easements and and curve you want.

 

[philskene]

The best way is to use a template.

There is a good selection on the Download Station. My favourite is kuid 37522:9994

 

[Jerker]

G'day luvintrainz,

...I would have to disagree, totally, with the view purported by Jlb288...

...my method is to remove ALL and ANY spline points other than those at very end and/or the beginning of curves and any of those in between along the straights, as per this image...

...which, I find, creates perfect curves EVERY time. Once you have removed the unwanted points (and used the "Straighten" Tool to force the straight sections, 'straight'), you simply move the end points of the curves (one or both ends) as required to obtain the correct alignment of the curve (and the straights, for that matter). Make sure ALL of your track is laid in the same direction. Once this initial work is done for the entire length of track, additional points may be added where spline bridges and station platforms, etcetera, need to be located (along with some possible judicious tweaking of the track-work, should that be required)...

Jerker {}

 

[cascaderailroad]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIZCvdB0Vn8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xadg5pF-iTE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b3HD6lZC3XA

I have used assembled circles of fixed track as a guide, then lay real single track right over top, and later on discard the FT track.

I even figerd' owt' how to use the "get curve radius tool" button

Smooth transition easements at the two ends of a curve is an art

 

[Falcus]

Jerker has it right. The most natural looking and riding Curves involve only 4 Spline points. 2 Straight bits on either end with the curve in the middle. Approach a Curve with one bit of straight track, go to the other side of the curve and add another straight bit, and then simply string a track between them. The natural curving of the spline takes over at this point and makes a very smooth Curve. The only reason to add spline points inside the radius of the curve is to drag the curve out further then it would other wise go (Trainz's natural spline Curvature doesn't always do wide curves very well, particularly if one end is sharper then the other, but this is exceedingly rare).

Falcus

 

[JIb228]

If you want to avoid using easements, which is less then prototypical.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_transition_curve

 

[philskene]

Jerker, Falcus --

I disagree. Try doing a 90 degree or 180 degree turn with and without a template. You will see significant differences.

luvintrainz --

With a template guide you should be able to do this very quickly:

In the above image, the sections of track with the white dot next to them have been straightened using the straightening tool.

Template used here too:

Phil

 

[Falcus]

@Phil,
Alright, you got me there. I must concede that our method is alot less involved and certainly doesn't produce perfect Curves at perfect angles.... Taking Engineering courses atm, its interesting to see just how far one has to go to reach certain levels of accuracy, and how far one could go..... And to think it all used to be done with Slide Rule and T-bar.....

I did however mention that it does produce more natural curves, and I'll stand by that, as Railroads don't generally drop Spline Connectors before they lay track.... They do use GPS coordinates, and the Mainline stuff I'm sure is Computer Calculated, probably several times, but most track laying isn't done to that degree of precision. And certainly older track is nowhere near as exacting as this.

I'll look into those Curve Guides, but I can't honestly see me using them much. Seems more effort then its worth to add another asset or three into the mix when I feel I already have a decent method anyway. Engineering already has me jumping through hoops for exacting measurements, and I do this for fun, even if it is an approximation of reality on some level or another.

Falcus

 

[cascaderailroad]

Track guides are very difficult to use ... and they oftentimes are an absolutely huge 1800m-3600m radius ... when in reality you only need a 100m radius guide (that is not available at all on the DLS, nor elsewhere).

Measurement with a ruler, and using track geometry mathematics, is the only way to go ... as real RR's do not have Curve Guides and Way Gauges