Here's what the AE track diagram should of looked like...

[timbooth]

All the interactive nodes will be added, including siding/platform/station names - I just haven't added the code yet, rather than them not being possible. I might be able to add siding/platform paths later, but the maths for that is quite tricky - so for the time being they will be just arrows at each end (rather than the slash in AE).

I've just worked how to tell mileposts from speed posts, so they will be no problem.

[timbooth]

I've uploaded a demo for those interested, and feedback will be appreciated.

http://www.trainsimfiles.com/products/t ... r_demo.zip

There's no installation for the demo, but you must have the Microsoft .NET framework for it to run (available from http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/deta ... laylang=en ).

It doesn't really need instructions, but here's the basics:

Holding down the right mouse key and dragging will pan (note: it deliberately reduces the quality when dragging to make it faster)

The mouse scrollwheel zooms in/out.

Colour-coded track colours are as follows:
Black - straights
Green - curves
Red - turnouts
Orange - crossings (any shape with crossing point(s))
Dark Blue - dynamic track (straight)
Mid green - dynamic track (curved)
cyan - skew straights (though not actually tested)

These are automatically detected from the installed tsection.dat, so apply to any track system.

Tunnel shapes are represented by dashed lines, naturally, which is in addition to colour coding - eg. tunnelled curves are dashed green.

Gradients are taken into account, but currently not banking - though thats probably rare for most routes.

The Segmented Paths option shows how the paths are made of track sections, though not by track shape (which I later hope to add).

Notes:
For some reason the dynamic track curves don't appear correctly. Also, error handling is limited.

You may also find some curves look distorted, which is probably because I need to add extra coordinate points so the curve path can be properly drawn - or use a bezier function instead.

[dkightley]

Tim....you have a PM.

The program sulks when I try looking at my NET route.....

But looks pretty good otherwise!

[ThamesClyde]

Tim, as a former Power Signal Box man, this is a great tool that your developing and I'm looking forward to the finished item. Here is a sample I took of Stoke North Junction opposite Stoke PSB using your utility.
Regards
Simon.
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[timbooth]

Its probably because an array is not big enough, at the moment they are hardcoded, out of laziness, but they should be self-adjusting according to the route - so the problem described won't then occur.

I'll make the arrays a bit bigger, or make the self-adjusting, and reupload it.

[Cobos]

Tim, this is one neat piece of kit

Kerr

[timbooth]

In case anyone is wondering, text for stations/platforms/sidings is not displayed yet

I do though plan to allow annotations to be added, so you won't need to do this externally - ideal for route documentation, or for adding your own personal notes when developing a route.

An export to bitmap option will be added as well - either the full map, or just the selected page. A print option should be equally viable.

[tinsley]

Just tried it.. very impressive,very useful,very versatile...very soon???
Thanks ..

[saddletank]

Please could you provide an option to turn off the track colour in a later version Tim, so all track appears black? I think for maps for distribution with routes where the user need not be concerned with the track sections that would be clearer.

[timbooth]

You can - under the View->Track menu

[qzdcg8]

Verrrryyy nice.....

Tim, can I suggest a jump to MSTS Tile or Long/Lat Coord option?

Yards and Sheds on Woodhead 2.2


Click the image to zoom in



Click the image to zoom in



Click the image to zoom in



Click the image to zoom in

[timbooth]

I plan to add a long/lat jump (and coordinate indicators) though that requires maths I haven't looked into yet - however, a jump to tile option is no problem. You will also be able to jump to interactives, either by list selection or some kind of search.

I also want the option of showing markers, so another reason for sorting out the long/lat conversion.

[timbooth]

New version uploaded:

http://www.trainsimfiles.com/products/t ... r_demo.zip

Fixed:

Dynamic curves now appear correctly. It turns out the route tsection.dat curve angles are in radians, whereas I assumed it was degree's as in the global tsection.dat

Arrays now auto-adjust so there should be no problems with big routes.

Curves are more accurate, though still room for improvement.

Defaults to black track - thats probably the most common setting.

To do, for the V1 release:
Add remaining interactives, including text for sidings/platforms
Add code to read rdb, and draw road paths
Allow gradient text to be displayed next to track nodes (eg 1:106)
Zoom to start tile
Jump to tile
The ability to select a node and display its parameters.
Plus anything else that I can do quickly.

I aim to release V1 in December, possibly late November.

[saddletank]

Some odd stuff happening with dynamic track Tim. Those three long straight lines going off to the top left are actually a turning triangle. I panicked when I saw this and checked in RE in case my TSection had become knackered but in RE everything looks as it should be.


Click the image to zoom in

[timbooth]

Is it possible you could zip up the tdb file and email me it? None of the routes I have installed are that complex, or use large amounts of dynamic track.

Does it look better if you zoom out? - as as you move away it stops drawing curves and uses straight lines instead - to make it faster to draw. Also, dragging will use straight lines. If it looks right drawn with straight lines, then its probably just the curve drawing routine.

The kinks in curves are because of the way VB draws curves, but I think extra segments to the curves will help.