AnyRail Model Railroad Forum

General Category => User submitted structures, scenery items, etc. => Topic started by: David on October 04, 2012, 03:58:23 PM

Title: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: David on October 04, 2012, 03:58:23 PM
Now that we have user defined objects (I call them Udo's) in version 5 of AnyRail, this board is probably not very relevant anymore.

I suggest that we gradually turn the items that are here into Udo's. Of course I want to make sure that the original publishers are OK with that.

What do you think?

David.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: RhB_HJ on October 04, 2012, 07:23:47 PM
Good idea!
How do you plan to get a bit of uniformity into the objects?
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: vistisen on October 04, 2012, 08:15:59 PM
Quote from: David on October 04, 2012, 03:58:23 PM
Now that we have user defined objects (I call them Udo's) in version 5 of AnyRail, this board is probably not very relevant anymore.

I suggest that we gradually turn the items that are here into Udo's. Of course I want to make sure that the original publishers are OK with that.
What do you think?
David.
Looking at the quality of the objects created by Rick. I suggest that you just delete the few Hornby objetcs I uploaded, and we'll pretend they never happened  :-[
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Future-Digital on October 04, 2012, 10:39:42 PM
You have my permission, if I haven't done so, already. Can't remember all of them.

Bill
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 17, 2013, 05:55:10 PM
I would like to create the Cornerstone Central Gas & Supply structure (Part #933-3011) as a user object.  How do I go about doing it? 

TIA.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: glakedylan on February 17, 2013, 06:47:14 PM
greetings Hoiiip
the best way is if you have the actual kit, using the diagram on the box as a footprint of the size, shape, and layout of that footprint using settings in AR that will allow you to construct a shape in the actual size.
if you do not have the kit, the dimensions of the footprint are listed at the Walthers site. You can use that info to make an image that shares a like footprint.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely
Gary L Lake Dillensnyder
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 17, 2013, 10:11:50 PM
Quote from: glakedylan on February 17, 2013, 06:47:14 PM
greetings Hoiiip
the best way is if you have the actual kit, using the diagram on the box as a footprint of the size, shape, and layout of that footprint using settings in AR that will allow you to construct a shape in the actual size.
if you do not have the kit, the dimensions of the footprint are listed at the Walthers site. You can use that info to make an image that shares a like footprint.
Hope this helps.
Sincerely
Gary L Lake Dillensnyder

I have the dimensions but how do I measure the footprint on AnyRail?  The dimensions are Office: 3-3/8 x 4-3/8" 8.5 x 11.1cm Tanks: 1-1/2 x 9" 3.8 x 22.8cm
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: RhB_HJ on February 18, 2013, 05:19:55 PM
There are several ways to do things.

Two years ago, when AR was still new to me , I used this method (http://www.anyrail.com/forum_en/index.php/topic,926.0.html).

In the meantime I refined it slightly; whenever possible I look for a footprint drawing either on the Internet or in a catalogue. On the Internet I just grab that graphic - sometimes I have to use "Print Screen" - and import to COREL. From the catalogues I scan whichever and massage it COREL.
If you can't find a footprint, you can either use the measurements the mfg provides and imagineer it from there. Or you can use those measurements to create a "Surface" and then insert a picture of the item.
There are a lot of mfgs who provide very skimpy information, I contacted some of them to get better info, but they don't seem to be interested.




Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Bob Bryce on February 18, 2013, 07:03:46 PM
I have been sucessfully building a large library of the items I will be using, and it has been fairly simple.

Get the dimensions of the objects, either from the box, the manufacturer's details or, if you already have the object, by measuring it.

Set your screen grids to 1/4" and the snap to 1/8" (or mm is you are using mm's), or smaller if necessary, but I make the snap 1/2 the size of the grid.

Start drawing the plan view of the object using either rectangles with the size you input or using lines and complete the object so the lines create an enclosed boundary.  Once you have drawn it, you can verify the dimension by either counting the squares or using the program's ruler feature.  Just make sure it has right angle corners or it will be out of square, unless it is suppose to be.

Change the line width to a thicker size so it is more noticable.

Change the fill color to something you desire.

Add details with lines and/or circles to show roof lines, chimneys, silos, signs, etc.

If the detail is a silo or a chimney or something closed in, fill it with a diferent color.

Add text to the drawing, giving the text a text size you can read and a color that contrasts well with the object.

When you are finished, create a Group of all these items and it is now ready for use in your track plan as one object.  If you wish to insert it into the User Object Library, create a Library Object using the program's procedures.  Just remember, if you make a library object out of it, you can see what the item is as it will have attachted to it the description and part number you identified when you made the object symbol.  If you just use it as a group, you cannot tell what it is unless you remember it by the shape or the text you inserted.

Here is an object I created of the Kentucky Fried Chicken kit.  I measured the actual building to get the dimensions for this one.  In this case, each small square is 1/4", and the larger grid lines are 6".  You may need to use the Bring Forward, Bring to Front, Send Backwards, Send to Back and vary the opaque density of the fill colors at times to see things that overlap others.



(http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab80/rbryce1/KFC_zps6cf0d8cf.jpg)


Here is the Walthers Ethanol Plant Processing Center, of which I have converted into a structure to use on my Tropicana Plant.  This was drawn freehand using only lines and circles and text.


(http://i851.photobucket.com/albums/ab80/rbryce1/TropicanaProcessingCenter_zps00522c6c.jpg)


Again, this is the method I use and it has been working very well.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 18, 2013, 09:36:53 PM
Thanks, Bob, I'll give that a try.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 18, 2013, 09:37:48 PM
Quote from: RhB_HJ on February 18, 2013, 05:19:55 PM
There are several ways to do things.

Two years ago, when AR was still new to me , I used this method (http://www.anyrail.com/forum_en/index.php/topic,926.0.html).

In the meantime I refined it slightly; whenever possible I look for a footprint drawing either on the Internet or in a catalogue. On the Internet I just grab that graphic - sometimes I have to use "Print Screen" - and import to COREL. From the catalogues I scan whichever and massage it COREL.
If you can't find a footprint, you can either use the measurements the mfg provides and imagineer it from there. Or you can use those measurements to create a "Surface" and then insert a picture of the item.
There are a lot of mfgs who provide very skimpy information, I contacted some of them to get better info, but they don't seem to be interested.

Thanks.  I don't have CAD or COREL, though.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 18, 2013, 09:41:51 PM
Quote from: Hoiiip on February 18, 2013, 09:36:53 PM
Thanks, Bob, I'll give that a try.

I just tried setting the grid to .25 but the smallest it will accept is .39.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: RhB_HJ on February 18, 2013, 10:58:59 PM
Quote from: Hoiiip on February 18, 2013, 09:41:51 PM


I just tried setting the grid to .25 but the smallest it will accept is .39.

Are you working in metric or inch?
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 18, 2013, 11:07:20 PM
Quote from: RhB_HJ on February 18, 2013, 10:58:59 PM
Quote from: Hoiiip on February 18, 2013, 09:41:51 PM


I just tried setting the grid to .25 but the smallest it will accept is .39.



Are you working in metric or inch?

Inch.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: RhB_HJ on February 18, 2013, 11:14:22 PM
So, in "Settings"> "Measurements" you set it to "English decimal units" and used .25 for the grid? I just tried that, works without a problem.

BTW you can draw a lot of the structures in AR, it just takes a bit longer.  ;) :)
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 18, 2013, 11:41:36 PM
Quote from: RhB_HJ on February 18, 2013, 11:14:22 PM
So, in "Settings"> "Measurements" you set it to "English decimal units" and used .25 for the grid? I just tried that, works without a problem.

BTW you can draw a lot of the structures in AR, it just takes a bit longer.  ;) :)

That's what I'm doing but when I type in .25, AR replaces it with 0.39.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Bob Bryce on February 18, 2013, 11:58:15 PM
Actually, I have grids set to 6" and grid snap set to 1/8".  When viewing my layout from the normal size, the main grids are 6"x6", while the minor grids are 2"x 2" in size.  As you zoom in, the Grids automatically get smaller the farther you zoom in.  At one point they will be at 1/2", then 1/4", then 1/8" and so on, not sure how far in you can go.  If the grid size is set to 6", and there are 12 squares between each major grid, they are 1/2 grids", if there are 24 squares, that is 1/4".  Just zoom in until it is workable squares (for me 1/4" squares) and set your grid snap to half of that to get 1/8" accuracy or 1/4" snap to get 1/4" accuracy.

I zoom in until the grids represent 1/4" squares, and if I need a 1/8" dimension, I snap to the midpoint between the 1/4" lines.  If I need to go smaller, I zoom in until the grids show 1/8" squares and set the grid snap to 1/16".  Sort of up to what you need to use for what you are drawing.

If you look at my examples, you can see what I am talking about.  In the first example, the Major grids: 6" x 6",  zoom in until the Minor grids are 1/4" x 1/4", and I set the snap to 1/8".  In the second example, the Major grids: 6" x 6",  and I zoomed in until the Minor grids are 1/8" x 1/8", and I set the snap to 1/16".
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: RhB_HJ on February 19, 2013, 12:23:04 AM
Bob,

If you attach the respective .any file it will be easier to see what's what and what the settings are.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Bob Bryce on February 19, 2013, 03:29:17 AM
OK, Here some are, if I attached it right.  HO Scale, Grid Size = 6, Snap to Grid = 1/8
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 19, 2013, 05:07:36 AM
Quote from: Bob Bryce on February 19, 2013, 03:29:17 AM
OK, Here some are, if I attached it right.  HO Scale, Grid Size = 6, Snap to Grid = 1/8

Bob, so each of the squares is 1/2" or a 1/4"?
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Bob Bryce on February 19, 2013, 01:26:05 PM
Quote from: Hoiiip on February 19, 2013, 05:07:36 AM
Bob, so each of the squares is 1/2" or a 1/4"?

OK, try this and see if it helps.

Load my sample drawing (see below).  If you look in the Settings Menu, the grid size is set to 6" and the Snap to Grid Size is set to 1/8" with Snap to Grid checked, or turned on, the View setting reads 1/8, and it is using English Fractional Units (Inches).  If it is not, make it that way for the purpose of this explanation.  Once you follow this concept, it will work the same in any units.

The larger heavier grids are 6"x 6".  The number of smaller grids automatically varies depending on how far you zoom in or out.  Since the heavy lines are 6" apart, if there are 5 light lines between the 2 heavy lines, as there are now, they represent 1" squares. If there are 2 light lines between the 2 heavy lines, the light lines represent 2" squares. If there were 11 light lines between the 2 heavier lines, they are 1/2" squares.  If there were 23 light lines between the 2 heavier lines, they are 1/4" squares, and so on.  The number of light lines between the heavy lines automatically changes as you zoom either in or out.  That is how the grid lines work.

The snap setting is not related to the number of grid lines, but to the distances between the snap points.  If the lines are spaced at 1" and the Snap to Grid Distance is set to 1", the snap will occur where the lines intersect, as every line is 1" apart.  You are seeing 1" squares and the Snap to Grid feature is also seeing 1" squares.

If the lines are spaced at 1" and the Snap to Grid Distance is set to 1/2", the curser will snap either to where the lines intersect or exactly half way between two of the lines or in the center of the box created by the lines.  You are seeing 1" squares while the Snap to Grid feature is now seeing 1/2" squares.

In the Settings menu, set the Snap to Grid Distance from 1/8" to 1", Go to the Insert Menu and select  "Add Line/Surface.  Snap the curser anywhere and it will jump to the nearest intersection of any line, because the grids are at 1" and the Snap to Grid Distance is 1". 

Now go back to the Settings Menu and set the Snap to Grid Distance to 1/2".  Select Insert, Add Line/Surface, and snap the curser anywhere.  It will jump to the closest point either on the grids or half way between the grids or in the center of the box created by the grids because the grids are set at 1" distances and the snap is set to half of that.  You are seeing 1" grids, but the Snap to Grid function is seeing 1/2" grids.

On the Zoom Slide Bar in the lower right corner of the screen, click on the "-" button one time, and the zoom setting will go from 1/8 to 1/10, and there will only be 2 light lines between each darker line.  Now the grids are showing 2" distances between each light line, at least it does on my computer.  If yours does not, there may be a difference in our monitor settings, but the ideas should still work.  Just zoom out until you only see 2 light lines between 2 heavy lines.

Since the Snap to Grid is still set at  1/2", if you again insert a line, the snap points will still be at 1/2" distances, even though the lines are now 2" apart.  You are now seeing 2" squares while the Snap to Grid feature is still seeing 1/2" squares. 

You should now be able to put 5 points on a small grid line, 1 point at each intersection and 3 in between.  Each point is exactly 1/2" apart on a 2" square.  Again, you are not limited to only snapping on the lines, you can snap anywhere in the box, the curser will snap to the closest point within 1/2" increments of the lines, because the curser is seeing 1/2" squares while you are seeing 2" squares.

Play with it and if you still are having problems, let me know and I will try again.

By the way, this snap system also works the same way to move and position objects as well.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 20, 2013, 12:32:28 AM
Thanks, Bob.  Your explanation was very clear and concise!
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 21, 2013, 02:04:19 PM
Bob, it worked like a charm!  Thanks ever so much.

How do you get the text to stick as part of the group?  I tried highlighting it along with the structure and save as a group, but the text won't stick.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Bob Bryce on February 21, 2013, 03:08:44 PM
I'm at work right now and don't have access to the Anyrail program, but for some reason, I think I made a group which consisted of the first group and the text and it worked.  Another way may have been once the text is in position, explode the group (ungroup), then make a new group that included the text.  I will try it tonignt to verify, but I'm fairly sure that is what I did.  I will let you know this evening (it's 9:08 AM right now, my time).
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: RhB_HJ on February 21, 2013, 03:40:20 PM
Simply highlight the existing object group and the text, then "group" again.

Save as object (with all the detailed info) and then submit to AR for inclusion.  ;) :)
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Bob Bryce on February 21, 2013, 04:10:08 PM
Quote from: RhB_HJ on February 21, 2013, 03:40:20 PM
Simply highlight the existing object group and the text, then "group" again.

Save as object (with all the detailed info) and then submit to AR for inclusion.  ;) :)

That's what I pretty much remember doing, but he said it didn't work for him.  I'm pretty positive I have made a group from several other groups as well.  Again, can't test it from here.  He may have done something else. 
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: RhB_HJ on February 21, 2013, 04:39:37 PM
Sometimes it is a matter of how much stuff one has in the "work area". The easiest way for highlighting - without missing anything - is left click and drag diagonally across all the objects to be included. This works great for UDOs if you have just one UDO on the work area.

Where it gets tricky is using that within a layout plan - either some stuff is missing or shouldn't be there.
Title: Re: User objects in AnyRail version 5
Post by: Hoiiip on February 21, 2013, 04:54:06 PM
Tried it again and this time it worked.  Thanks, everyone!