Surveyor, How do I get track measurement?

[tuckunclee]

I was wondering how I could make a section of train track a certain distance. Right now im using the ruler to show what i want. But how do I get track to be lets say exactly 350ft.

I want to model the tracks by my house. But I cant figure out how to make the track go to the points of the ruler, or better yet tell me how far the track is when i lay it?

I am a beginner at the Surveyor so any help appreciated!

Thanks for your time!

 

[HiBaller]

Lay the ruler out to the length you want. Then, select the track you want. Click ONCE at the beginning point of track, let up on the button, and drag the mouse the length of the ruler. Click again to STOP laying track.

Bill

 

[tuckunclee]

So there is no way of making it Go to a certain size besides eye balling it?

 

[HiBaller]

If you are asking if the track has a "length counter", then the answer is no.

Use my method for making a precise length of track. If you are working off a track plan (or converting from a scale to actual) then using rulers is the way to go. Once you lay down all your track, remove the rulers as they tend to slow down the game.

There are a number or basic tracklaying tutorials out there. I am not at my gaming computer right now, so I can't tell you where they are. Perhaps someone will post here and give you some good sites.

EDIT: What some people do on long stretches is break up their tracks into smaller portions. This is necessary if you are going to add turnouts or, in the case of double tracks, crossovers. Judicious use of the "track straightener" will help keep everything ruler-edged.

Bill

 

[HiBaller]

Here are some very helpful sites:

http://trains.0catch.com/tutorial.html

http://www.worldoftrainz.com/Pages/Tutorials.htm

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lucd1hc4ao4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YIZCvdB0Vn8

There are many more, but these should get you started - especially the videos.

Bill

 

[llebrez]

The ruler is perfect for straight runs of track. But when you get curves... you can't use it accurately. Instead I use something called "track scanner" The KUID is: 2:117742:23230:1 I hope it is stil available and that it works in later trainz edditions. Usage is simple. It mesures the distance via the track from one track marking to the other. When you make grades, you should use it.

 

[bl4882]

measurement on curves

I never could get Trackscanner to work reliably, probably my fault, but there is another way to make measurements of track length on curves. This method is not original with me, but I can't remember where I got it to give proper credit.

I use a "ruler" that I construct. I made mine consisting of a group of 10 40ft boxcars. The ones on the end have black roofs, and the eight in the middle are red. That way when I string a number of cuts of 10 together I can see readily how many cuts of 10 I have. Once you have constructed the cut of 10, save it in the consist panel. I also made one that is a composit of 5 10 car cuts, in case I have to lay down a bunch of them. My 10 car cut, measured with the built in ruler, is 135.2 meters long.

To use it, mark the start and end of what you want to measure, then lay in the 10 car cuts until the last one extends just past the end mark. Count the cuts, taking each box car up to the end mark as 10ths, i.e., each car beyond the mark is 1/10 of $132.5, or even down to 100ths if you interpolate a fraction of a car, multiply by 135.2, and you have your measurement.

Easier to do than to explain.

Bernie

 

[sniper297]

Once you lay down all your track, remove the rulers as they tend to slow down the game.

Do you know that for a fact? Considering the rulers are invisible ingame, I'd be surprised if they had any impact on performance in driver. Then again I get a new surprise every day with this contraption.

 

[rweber95]

Track Scanner

The correct kuid is Track Scanner,<kuid2:117746:23230:1>. It's made for TRS2004 but it works perfectly in TS2010. Just place 2 gold track markers then select the ? and click on one and in the properties window select Scan and it gives the distance between the 2 markers.

Bob Weber

 

[Pladroid]

Once you lay down all your track, remove the rulers as they tend to slow down the game.

Do you know that for a fact? Considering the rulers are invisible ingame, I'd be surprised if they had any impact on performance in driver. Then again I get a new surprise every day with this contraption.

Yes Jim its a known fact that most of the older splines are bad for the game and the ruler has been in trainz from the beginning.

Consider that there may be 100s or so and although you can not see them the game still has to calculate their position, just like a normal spline.

So yes they can slow the game-play. (Here ends the lesson for today )

 

[REFJR2]

try downloading these from the DLS:

(when scearching for these in the DLS use the KUID #'s
as I change the usernames to make them easier to find
in surveyor - select the 'KUID' button and enter 141417
or 37522 into the text field

/ or /

select the Description button, select Category Type:Buildings / Structures,
and type "Track guide" into Text Search then click on search )

Outer spacing rings for 5 meter centers
Type:Buildings / Structures

kuid:141417:60075 - Guide Straight meter 0250
kuid:141417:60076 - Guide Straight meter 0500
kuid:141417:60077 - Guide straight meter 0750
kuid2:37522:9998:1 - Guide Straight meter 1000
kuid:141417:60078 - Guide straight 1 Kilometer
kuid:141417:60004 - Guide straight 1 mile
kuid:141417:60002 - Guide straight 1/2 mile
kuid:141417:60001 - Guide straight 1/4 mile
kuid:141417:60003 - Guide straight 3/4 mile

also there are curved versions of these, too many to mention