Help with SCARM and grades / height function

Yes the tracks need to be connected and they need to be at the same elevation.  (otherwise they will not connect)   There are tutorials to take you through how to change elevation on sections of track. Far too complicated to discuss here.  It took me awhile to understand how to do it and I have to go back to help remember the nuances.

Technically the tracks don’t need

to connect, but if they don’t, you won’t know how high each end needs to be to get the effect you’re looking for. The best thing to do is learn the Snip Off tool and cut pieces to fit so everything connects..

When doing grades, I usually build out the track that will be the incline portion.  Then I select all of that track from the foot to the head of the incline.  I think it’s ctrl click to select mor than one segment.  Then, make sure the track heights are turned on, then click the highest elevation and roll my mouse wheel until it is the height I want.  Alternatively I think you can type it in too.

SCARM will calculate the heights of the other track segments to make a smooth incline.

Then I build out the elevated portion, and the decline.  Select the decline track segments, click the foot of the decline, and roll my mouse wheel back down to the lower level height.

Thanks for the input.   I didn’t realize what the Snip It tool was for.   I’ll experiment with that and try connecting everything better.

Great suggestion about working with the inclines.   I’ll level everything out, try connecting pieces, and start over.    

I don’t have my laptop with me on vacation, so no access to SCARM and I can’t see what track library you’re using, but if it has a flex track, you can easily fill in the gaps more quickly by using flex instead of snipping. Also, I find it easier to make changes if you color-code the grade segment. That way you can select the entire segment with a simple shift-click. If the incline is too steep, you can add tracks to the segment by shift-clicking then color-code those once the incline is acceptable. There are also tips if the segment includes a switch since switches can’t be on a grade. But, you don’t seem to have any, so I won’t belabor the point.