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Version 6.18

Started by David, November 01, 2018, 03:12:06 PM

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David

Hello everyone,

It's truly getting autumn here, so back to indoor hobbies such as model railroading!

In version 6.18, we present this new functionality:
- Far better indication of which endpoints are going to connect if you drag track around. Hold down CTRL to prevent track from connecting.
- Rulers and lines can now be drawn exactly to a certain position. The logical position such as a track endpoint, centerline, etc. will be highlighted. Again, use CTRL to prevent this.
- Settings such as number/description/small icons can now be set per library. Each track library has a few new buttons for this at the top.
- For some track systems, it makes more sense to use codes for track elements, such as G1, LKW,etc. You can now choose to see these codes instead of the track numbers.
- The JMRI export now exports a 'JMRI::Bezier' instead of an approximation using straight segments for flex track. You need at least JMRI 4.10.

Updates and fixes:
- The Peco H0/00 libraries for Code 75 and 100 have been verified and slightly tuned here and there to match the Peco templates.
- For Roco geoLine, RocoLine and H0 Kato Unitrack, said codes are added
- Hornby Standard track update
- Incorrect positioning of clearance points fixed
- Improvements in the generation of the 3D ground
- Update function fixed (hopefully)

I hope there's something for everyone to enjoy.

David.
David Hoogvorst. Founder and Owner of DRail Software. Creator of AnyRail.

poppy2201

#1
Love some of new features e.g. part codes and additional settings in track libraries among some of the other changes.

Regards,
Charles
Charles J.

Future-Digital

#2
Glad to see anything new on 3D. Keep it up.

By the way. I may not have observed them before, or not noticed, or something, but what are the red dotted lines down the middle of SOME of my track, please?

I just LOVE the descriptions on the Bachmann track. Now, to convince you to sort them into more logical groupings by description rather than part number. Oh, and is it possible to move the description text closer to the track picture on TOP and further away from the one UNDERNEATH?

Oh, some of my bridge pilings seem to be INFINITELY long. Odd looking in 3D. See attached.


Bill
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." - Groucho Marx

TrainzLuvr

I welcome these changes, and like how the track library settings can be applied per each individual library used, very handy.

Thank you!
Website: Trains Luvr
YouTube channel: Trainz Luvr

martin.pischky

Hello David,

Thank you very much!

You did a great job on the KATO Unitrack H0. It's now much more usable with Codes.
I also like how rulers glue to the end of track!

:) :) :)
Martin

The Track Planner

David,
While I like the new "snap to" function, it is creating a fairly major issue for me, at least in way I design. When designing track plans for clients, generally I design the track arrangement first and then add the benchwork. I like to use the same offset amount from track center line to the edge of the benchwork (i.e. fascia). Example: in HO I usually go with  2" to 2½" offset to fascia edge. Heretofore, I could place the fascia edge exactly 2½" from the track center line, using the control points. I would simply use the "add parallel flex" function, placing another section of track (red center line on the attached picture) at 2½". I would do this where ever the design required a 2½" offset. Once I had the fascia edge superimposed over the track center line, I would simply delete the red center line. This gave me a constant fascia edge, off set. As you can see by the picture attached, now the control points "snaps to" the red track center line, mis-aligning the fascia edge. The "snap to" works on straight edges, but doesn't work on curves. Even when I set the tolerances to the very minimum, the blue dots still snaps to the red line, creating a mis-alignment. Is there anyway to turn "the new snap to function" off? Having an "on" or "off" choice would be great. If I can't have the ability to "turn off" the new "snap to" feature, I may have to revert back to version 6.17, until the issue is resolved. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

David

If you press CTRL while moving a control point, the snap function is off :)
David Hoogvorst. Founder and Owner of DRail Software. Creator of AnyRail.

The Track Planner

David,
Thanks for the quick response. My bad, I now remember reading it in your first post on 6.18 but it didn't register in my brain, sorry!

TrainzLuvr

David,

Don't you think that this snap-to should've been set to always-off and not always-on, so that CTRL actually turns it on?

AnyRail did not have this feature before, and now introducing it with always-on *and* forcing people to use CTRL to go back to what they are used to (a "normal" mode instead of "snap-on") is very unfriendly from a UX point of view...
Website: Trains Luvr
YouTube channel: Trainz Luvr

Future-Digital

Thought I'd ask again, as it seems my question may have gotten lost:

By the way. I may not have observed them before, or not noticed, or something, but what are the red dotted lines down the middle of SOME of my track, please? See attached.


Bill
"I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book." - Groucho Marx

David

The red lines indicate a return loop. You can switch this off on the SHOW tab.
David Hoogvorst. Founder and Owner of DRail Software. Creator of AnyRail.

The Track Planner

David,
After giving it some thought and using 6.18 for a couple of days, I tend to agree with TrainzLuv regarding the "always on" new snap feature. The reason I say this is, while designing over the last two days, the "always on" feature is causing me to have to add an extra [keyboard] step. I've gotten very good at aligning the fascia edge parallel to existing layout tracks, without the need to hold down the CTRL key. In my opinion, this additional [keyboard] step is counter productive. As a person who uses AnyRail upwards of 6 to 8 hours per day, this additional step is very cumbersome at a minimum.
Also, I design a lot of structures for my personal (AnyRail) libraries, having the snap feature "always on" does not make that process easier. Again, I find it counter productive. On many of my structure designs, I have to use measurements as small as 1/32nd and sometimes 1/64th of an inch. I'm finding that the "blue dot" alignment/snap feature is not that accurate, when dealing with fractions this small. "Eye balling" the alignment in many cases is more accurate. I use a 2K (1440) monitor to design with and at that resolution "eye-balling", at least, for me works better. I think this is because the default size of the "blue dot" doesn't allow me the accuracy I need, when dealing with smaller fractions. The "blue dot" is miss-aligning (i.e. guessing wrong) and not snapping to the exact spots I want it to.
Being able to turn-off the snap to feature, would be beneficial to me. Just my opinion.

David

You might be right that it's making the interface a bit hyperactive.
We'll swap the functionality in the next update, so the 'snap' is on when you hold CTRL only.
Of course for connecting track, we keep it as it is.
David Hoogvorst. Founder and Owner of DRail Software. Creator of AnyRail.

The Track Planner

This is what I love about AnyRail, David actually listens to his customers. To respond as quickly as he has regarding this new "snap-to" is very unusual for software developers, regardless of the type of program or the cost of the product. Many times, we the consumer, have to wait years for changes to be implemented. 
I completely agree with leaving the track "snap-to" feature always on.
Again, thanks for being super responsive to your customers suggestions.