Please explain grading tool

[ApproachMedium]

For the life of me I really can't understand how to get a nice smooth 1 or 2 percent grade. I know how to use the vertex height tool to apply a vertex and I know how to use the leveling tool that brings the ground up to level with the bottom of the track. And I understand that you can create a reliable grade this way. But I want to use what I suppose is the easier method.

I just can't get the hang of the gradient tool. Every single time I use it I just end up with arches of track going up and down. I just want a consistent 1% grade for a mile stretch of track.

What I've been doing is laying my track over my terrain, I'm using a DEM, terrain only map by fishlipsatwork, then setting the grade to 1% and selecting the apply tool. I then click each vertex point in the direction I want to create the grade. I end up with arches. When I click in the middle of the track, in between the vertexes, I get the same thing. Is there a certain point that I need to click on with the apply tool to get a consistent grade?@@@!! I've even tried loading other finished maps with a lot of grading, and just using the get grade height tool just to see what height is where. And what I've seen is that depending on where you click on the track it will either read as a plus grade or a minus grade.

Can someone please explain this craziness to me.

-Joe

 

[narrowgauge]

Set your gradient and apply it close to either vertex but always close to the same end of the section. One end will give you a rising grade, the other end will give you a falling grade, mixing the ends will cause your problem.

It is also easier to see what you are doing in GRID mode.

Peter

 

[ApproachMedium]

I'm still ending up with arches of track. Allow me to make an example to visualize this.

If this is a length of track with several vertexes,
0------0--------0----------0--------0
Where the 0 is the vertex and the dashes are the track between vertexes.

According to the above post I should be clicking on the apply grade tool at A and B as follows,

0A-----------B0------------0

To create a grade between A and B only.

So if I was to make a consistent grade over a mile, up hill from A through F, it might look like this,

0A-----------B0C------------D0E----------------F0

Where, again, the letters are where I would click the apply grade. So with the above illustration I would have a steady 1% incline from A through F, correct?

That seems to make sense when I do it until I add more track past F or before A and continue the 1% grade. That's when I end up with track doing whatever it feels like, and where I am lost.

Just thought of this. Should I only be applying the grade at A, C, E for a rising grade from A through F? And not at every letter I have in the above illustration? Or B, D, F. This is what's confusing the heck out of me.

-Joe

 

[cascaderailroad]

Using multitrack splines, connected to switchs, and single tracks, can foul up a grade. You have to keep checking the grade every 10 track spline points or so...if you do a 10 mile long section without checking each and every spline point gradient, starting at the base of the grade...some mistakes will surely creep in.

Use the "Get Spline Height" and "Get Gradient" tool, to measure track heights and gradients.

 

[Dug]

using points A,C,E works for me. forget using the others

 

[mezzoprezzo]

I had similar difficulties and don't bother with the gradient buttons. In TRS2004 this works for me;
Lay one long length of track from A to F. Manually lift F up to your required height using the "Adjust spline height key" in "Advanced" track laying. Then insert as many spline points you need for curves etc. You should find that these added intermediate splines will set themselves at the correct gradient. You can the adjust these left/right, up/down without affecting the grade too much.

 

[narrowgauge]

Starting from the length of track you have graded we will assume is a rising grade section, do the following.

Original track before grading.
0-------0------0-------0
Initial graded track x is the gradient click point
0x------0x-----0x------0x-----
Track added on left 'n' on same rising grade
n------xn-----xn-------0x------0x-------0x------0x------
Track added on right 'N' on same rising grade
n------xn-----xn-------0x------0x-------0x------0x------Nx-----Nx------NX-----
Going down hill again
Track added on right 'M on same grade but falling from Crest,'
n------xn-----xn-------0x------0x-------ox------0x------Nx-----Nx------NX-----CREST----xM-------xM------

It is important that you place frequent vertices especially on curved sections

Does this clear it up for you. Used correctly, the Gradient tool will give you accurate grades without 'ups and downs' If you want to contine clicking the same end for down grades change the grade value to a negative number.

You have to apply the grade at every section, missing one can cause errors.

Peter