New TSRE route editor tips & tricks

[Vince]

Dynamic Track

Though I'd pass this on . . .
A month or so ago I have had several TSRE cashes when saving a newly installed Dynamic Track section.
The sequence was
+place track, adjust dynamic track properties, press Z for TDB, Save.

I have not had a crash since adopting a new sequence:

++place track, ++adjust dynamic track properties, Save w/no TDB lines, re-select track, press Z for TDB, Save. Done!

It seems that while saving DT as a static object without the TDB also being saved at the same time eliminated the crashes.

This is the PRR-East route. >50MB Track Database

regards,

[Vince]

TSRE5 Search Function

The SEARCH Function

The TSRE5 Objects Panel has a handy search function.

You can search on any part of the Shape Filename

SearchFunctionTSRE.jpg

Click on image to enlarge.
Here I'm looking for 6m tunnel sections and a search on tun6m gets what you see here. Very handy and time saving. I'm really getting to like this editor.

regards,

[Vince]

Dragging Objects With the Mouse

Happened tonight! About 20 minutes ago I was dragging a 100m ruler using the mouse/hold1 to re-position it down the ROW when I happened to tap the keyboard [Shift] key while moving.
This caused the ruler object I was dragging to go into rotate mode. When I released the [Shift] key, back to the same old drag.
Okaay
So . . . holding the shift key while dragging with the mouse causes the object to rotate . . . neat!
Which I figure is a lot easier than dragging an object into position, pressing the 'R' key and proceed to rotate . . .

And please, don't see this as a closed thread. Anyone who has a useful suggestion to understanding TSRE please post here.
Much Thanks,

[Vince]

Transfers & Adjusting Terrain

I found that tweaking terrain under a Transfer can be difficult.
The terrain seems to 'bleed through' the overlying transfer as I raise or lower the terrain under it.
This seeming bleed through is eliminated if you first select the transfer patch and leave it selected as you manually adjust (tweak) the terrain. Found by accident. Seems to work ok.

regards,

[ebnertra000]

Linking Signals

TSRE's method of linking signals is quite intuitive, but can be very tricky for the uninitiated. Having recently finished signaling a route, and a large one at that, I've learned some things to make this process easier. So here's Linking Signals in TSRE for Dummies (like me):

Easy Junctions
signal_1.jpg
1. Assuming you've placed your signal and know what you want linked, click on the button 'Show List' on the left-hand side of the screen. A menu will pop up with all the signal's sub-objects on it. Select what you need. Note that unlike MSTS, you must actually click on the checkbox, rather than either the text or checkbox.
2. When you're ready to link a route, click the 'Link' button for that sub-object, which should no longer be greyed-out now that that sub-object has been selected. When you press the Link button, the 'Set Link' button should now read 'Set Link [x]', with 'x' being the sub-object number assigned to it in the sigcfg file. That number is not otherwise indicated in the menu, but can be determined by counting from the top starting at 0 for the topmost one. In my case, it reads 'Set Link [13]'.
3. When you have done this, click on the track where you want the link set. In my case it will be the diverging route. In the image below, a red arrow indicates where I clicked to set the link. If done right, a set of numbers will appear in the blanks in the SubObjLink info section next to the Set Link button. The two outside numbers will be switch or end-of-track nodes wich will be visible in TSRE. These can be used, especially in tight quarters, to make sure you got the right track linked.
signal_2.jpg

Complex Junctions (Challenge Mode)
signal_3.jpg
Use above steps, but when clicking on links, especially for double slips, these are best practices.
The red circle shows where I would link the through route on this switch. The green dotted line shows the TSection line for the through route, which will be a good guide to where to link that route. The blue circle shows where a diverging route can be selected on this switch. It works almost without fail, even in very tight spaces.
Link_areas.jpg
These guides will work on any switch, not just double slips. I have used them on all kinds of switch shapes with success. So get to it!

[GokuMK]

I found that tweaking terrain under a Transfer can be difficult.

If you mean that transfer didn't updated while terrain painting - it was a bug introduced with new terrain renderer.
Fixed here: http://koniec.org/tsre5/data/TSRE5_v0.6942.exe
If you mean that sometimes transfer doesn't fit terrain - it looks worse when you look from far distance. Selection makes no differnce.

[GokuMK]

Don't understand your solution, but the transfer display problem can be ignored. Transfers just look bad in TSRE renderer. So don't waste time for TSRE fine adjustements because there will be no difference in OR or MSTS. Of course if you like that kind of work, or are distracted by bad TSRE dislay, you can do it

[Vince]

Don't understand your solution, but the transfer display problem can be ignored. Transfers just look bad in TSRE renderer. .............snip................................. ...

Hi Goku,
Thanks, you have saved me from tweaking a non-problem. I did not know the rendering would be okay in OR.

regards,
vince

[muskokaandtahoe]

Vince, please explain how to so fine adjustments to terrain. I have several situations where the ground is just a tad too high and the run out from those points is either covering sidewalks or intruding into the street. A minor change to decrease the altitude of individual vertex points is what I need to do.

[Vince]

F2 >==> Click on [HeightMap+] >>==> Brush settings: Size=1, Intensity=1(this is fine setting) In View Menu Check 'Terrain Grid' (it's easy whem you can see the vertex's to position the cursor.

The 'Z' key toggles terrain vertex up/down. VERY handy sliding cursor around with mouse and left finger on 'Z' key. Tapping left mouse does it. Sliding ... painting, with the cursor is really a nice feature, especially with larger brush (cursor) sizes. A real joy working with terrain compared to MSTS.
Beware of terrain gaps . . . you can loose stuff, falls though the hole if dragging ... bye . . . it's a looong way down.

edit add: For a very fine adjustment of terrain you can use a track or road section or come to think of it, most any object can be used to adjust and/or flatten terrain. However some objects/shapes produce some very strange terrain sculpting. The Ctrl+Z key comes in handy here. v

[justlooking]

Vince,

How do I name a new siding or station so the name shows up in the Sim ?

[Vince]

Place a siding or platform marker and fill in the properties for each item.

edit/add: I don't know how your TSRE is set up but on the TSRE Objects Panel I just type in 'platform' and I find the Platform marker.
Select it, place on track. Movement is about the same as MSTS. Use 2,4,6,8 keys to move or you can drag w/mouse.
Have fun!

PLATSIDEPROPERTIES.jpg

regards,

[justlooking]

Thank you Vince,
Nice concise answer, job done.
I also notice I can copy the marker and place it along track,
Just renaming the place.
JL

[landnrailroader]

Vince,

I have been able to creat PDF files of the text in your tips, but the images of the panels etc. are almost
useless because the resolution is so low. I can upload a zip file of the .pdf files to the library, but would
it be too much for you to provide your tips in seperate files so that they can be printed. I have the
basic instructions Goku provided printed and in a 3-ring binder, but it would be nice to add the instructions
of yours behind the basic instructions. It is possible to print the contents of this thread, but then you get
a lot of extraneous material like the heading data that does not relate to the instruction.

Jerry Sullivan
(landnrailroader)

[rosssweet]

Another thank you Vince,
For a very helpful thread.
Station names also had me pondering.
Cheers Ross