Save settings

[Kevin]

Can we save standard settings from 1 session to the next i.e. whenever you save a layout and subsequentally open that layout again, save all printer settings and track libraries associated with that layout. When the layout is reopened, show the track layouts and printer settings.

[David]

Hi Kevin,

Thanks for your suggestions. We'll put them on the To Do list.

David.

[Chris]

Hi David.

Window size would also be good.

All the best,
Chris.

[Andrew]

Hi David,
I thought we had talked about this sometime ago about saving the files to include the open libraries?? Chris, I think you brought this up some months ago.
Yours,
Andrew

[Chris]

Hi Any.

Yes, that's right but I wasn't going to say. A lot of things *have* been added from this forum and it is inevitable that some things will have been missed, or the time wasn't right when they were first suggested.

All the best,
Chris.

[David]

I can give some comments on this:

It was not really missed, but there are a few questions that need to be answered for these features:
- Should the libraries in use be saved with the track plan, or with AnyRail (so when you reopen AnyRail with an empty plan, these libraries are already open). What is appropriate for which setting in this regard.
- We're experimenting with another user interface for the software. We're not quite sure how these features should fit in there, and we're not really wanting to do the work twice. So, in the meantime, we choose to improve the software in other ways that do not depend on this new interface.

So we've not forgotten about 'saving the settings', but merely postponed them.

David.

[Chris]

Hi David.

Thanks for the response. I knew that there would be a reason it has not been taken up before.

Personally I feel that with layout would be the more sensible way to go. I would guess that most times AnyRail is opened it is to work on an existing plan so the use would want the library/ies associated with that plan. In my case I am working on different layouts in two different scales (Z and N) so having them stored with AnyRail would be no use to me at all as I would either have to load both and then unload one of load none and still select the one for the plan I am working on. Of course, saving with the plan would have to be a pointer(s) otherwise the track plan file would get to be too big.

One thing that would be helpful for me but probably not feasible, and may not apply to others makes is, where Marklin have two part numbers for identical items (e.g. turntable and transfer table) could be represented by one icon, e.g. "Marklin Z 8998/89981. Turntable diameter 132mm.". Similarly, where items have the same geometry (e.g. points, "Marklin Z 8563/8566. Right turnout 110mm"). At the moment, even on a wide screen, the icons take up a disproportionate amount of vertical space. (Yes, I know that they can be floated but I don't like doing that.) Anyway, that's just the ramblings of a selfish old man! I am more than grateful for what you have taken up from our suggestions.

All the best,
Chris.

[David]

One idea is that AnyRail automatically opens the libraries of the track that is used in the plan when opening it.

But for window size and such, that might be a bit weird.

David.

[santerdam]

Libraries, used in the plan, is imho the best. Window size could be reopend as was used the last time Anryrail was used (thus not related to trackplan). I hop you can also restore the situation when the library, menu and iconmenu is dragged out (to a second screen).

Sander

[Chris]

Hi David.

Being able to save window size does seem to be fairly common as I have several programs that do it. But how it is done, I don't know.

All the best,
Chris.

[Andrew]

Hi All,
David, could you add both features of saving the track libraries in the file and program. By adding "Save open track library" to "Behaviour" with options of "file" and/or "startup"
Andrew

[David]

Thanks for all your suggestions and ideas.

We've decided to follow the Microsoft standard in this regard, which is not to save these settings with the plan, but with the software.

So, from the upcoming release onwards (3.17 etc.), all your open libraries and their positions will be saved when you close the program. When restarting the program, all the libraries will be open just like you left them.

There is only one exception: each time you upgrade to a new version, all settings are lost and you have to reopen your libraries.

To reset everything to the 'factory defaults', you have to start the program with the SHIFT key down.

We've planned this release for later this week.

David.

[David]

@Chris,

I know that some libraries take up quite a bit of screen estate.
However, your solution is quite difficult as it is 'non-general', and each user might want to group things differently.

We might introduce a way to create your own 'user library' later, where you can put only the elements you wish to use. However, this might take a while (we first need to investigate how difficult it is).

David.

[David]

To wrap up:
Open libraries and window sizes and positions are saved and restored when AnyRail is restarted in version 3.17.0.
To return to 'factory defaults', start AnyRail with the SHIFT key down.

Printer settings are a different beast. I know it's annoying, and we'll definitely look into it, but we can make no promises regarding this.

David.

[Chris]

David.

I know that some libraries take up quite a bit of screen estate. However, your solution is quite difficult as it is 'non-general', and each user might want to group things differently.

I suspected as much so am not disappointed by your answer. After all, you have taken quite a few of my suggestions and implemented them. And, BTW, the landscape features work great in Z as long as they are changed to 'Small'. So thank you for that as well.

We might introduce a way to create your own 'user library' later, where you can put only the elements you wish to use. However, this might take a while (we first need to investigate how difficult it is).

That sounds good. I just found that the smaller libraries can be put up next to to the buttons bar; that helps a bit as well.

With best wishes,
Chris.