SCARM track planning software - Hello from the author

Hello Russell,

 

OK, I will look at these tracks and if there is enough data I will create the lib fro them.I will reply to your mail, if I have questions about the tracks.

 

Mixy

Marx Track info

These will have the same footprint as Lionel 027 track. Same number of ties, but the spacing is slightly different, but should not effect track planning.

P/N 602, 027 curve

P/N 601, 027 straight

P/N 607, 90 degree crossing (metal or plastic base)

P/N 1624, Uncoupling section (same footprint as P/N 601)

P/N 1602, Prewar electric uncoupling section (same footprint as P/N 601)

P/N 1605, Same as 1602, except lighted

 

034 Track, same height profile as 027, 5 ties per piece

P/N 1802, 034 curve, 8 per circle. 34" measured to the outside rails.

P/N 1801, 034 straight, 11 1/4" long

P/N 811, 034 straight, 8 3/4" long

P/N 1807, 034 Uncoupler section, same footprint as P/N 1801

P/N 1807, 90 degree crossing

 

Misc

P/N 605, Lighted track bumper

P/N 505, Unlighted track bumper

 

Hope this helps setting up the files. If you need more info, let me know.

I will add the part numbers for the various switches in a day or so.

Would the dimensions for the elevated track supports be of use? Also the graduated risers?

Steve

Not sure if I should post my question here or start a separate thread, but I'll ask here first; is there an easy way to raise the elevation of an entire layout at one time? I started my SCARM trackplan many months ago (didn't read any instructions - of course) and the layout is built. BUT, I set my lowest elevation to 0" when in reality 0" equals 38" off the floor. Elevation on the layout ranges from 38" - 54" off the floor or 0 to 16 inches above the table.

 

I'd like to have an "as built" plan of my layout but I've got about 300' of track and I'm hoping I don't have to go into each little box and change the elevations individually. I've noticed in some cases when I do adjust elevations, some contiguous sections change and others do not.

 

Any help would be appreciated. If I need to post this on another thread, let me know.

The switches sre the bugger after the fact. Higlight all of the track, by individual ctrl+left-mouse for the upper level. Then Ctrl + X to cut.

 

Now open the layers tool and check the layer1 box. Select it to highlight it. Now it's active.

 

Then CTRL +P to paste the upper level on layer 1.

 

Now that you can toggle back and forth, you can adjust the elevations separately.

 

Ahhh!-it's even a pain to explain-send me the file and I'll set the heights at 38 and 54.

 

email in profile.

xray - actually you don't have to redo all that work.  Adding a floor to a room or adding walls to give your layout height can be done by drawing the floor at a negative number and the base of the walls at the same negative number.  Russ

 

Regular baseboard zero vertical position.

 

Draw in a floor with a negative vertical position and set the base of the walls to match.

Moonman if he wants to raise the height wouldn't he just highlight all, select one height block and put it to 38" and then hit Enter?  That will set all the track to that same height.  After he has everything set to 38", he can go back and raise the other parts to the higher levels he needs, then do the cut & paste to assign layers.

 

I may be misunderstanding the situation.

 

By the way, finally playing with the Layers feature, really nice!!

Am I correct that this only works for objects?  I need to do this for my file at the very least.

I remember Mixy saying before that Track Level cannot be set to negative values, is this still true?  Would be really nice to be able to do that for underpasses and what not, but it sounded like he said there was some impossibility with the coding or something.  It's all Greek to me!

Dom,

When a layout is at multiple heights and has grades everywhere that won't work. If you haven't noticed, switches behave differently in grades as the three ends need to be the same height. Toss in color coded track for various reasons and now each color only work for mass adjustments.

 

Russ,

yes the object technique works for 3D eyecandy, but does not represent an "as built" plan. Some, including me. like the track heights and layout objects to be shown at the actual heights they will be built. Not a problem when you are creating it. A pain after the fact.

 

I know 0 elevation on any plan can be wherever you want it built and all others are referenced from that point.

 

 

There are two tricks, that can be of help here. It seems that I forgot to mention that in the documentation – my mistake, sorry. But, it is better to be said later than never

 

1. You can alter the height of the whole track plan, while preserving the elevations. To do that, select all the tracks, select any height marker (no matter which), hold down Alt key and start adjusting of the selected height – all other heights will be adjusting accordingly. That works with the mouse wheel or with ‘<’ and ‘>’ keys and only for the tracks.

 

2. Similar can be done for the figures and objects too – you need to select all of them (can be done by selecting all the tracks and then use “Edit” > "Invert Selection". Then group the selection using “Objects” > “Group”. Then open the Properties for the group and adjust the base height (Vertical position) of the group – all objects in it will be shifted in height accordingly the new setting. Finally, use “Objects” > “Ungroup” only once, so if there are other groups in the plan, they to remain grouped.

 

Note that if you want the objects like trees and signals to follow the terrain, their heights should be leaved to 0 (zero).

 

Mixy

Moonman made it easy for me. He just did it...don't know which technique he used. I'm sure it wasn't so easy because I do have color coded track that indicates the electrical blocks and I do have multiple heights with grades everywhere. I thanked him privately in an email.

 

This is the public "Thank You".

Thanks, Mixy. That works just fine. Except when the tracks are color coded or there are bad joints.

 

Can I do that for selected sections and raise them all separately to the desired increase?

Yes, you can. That works for all track sections in the current selection, even if there are independent routes, not connected to each other.

 

To cope with the colored tracks - move all other figures and objects in another layer and then double-click over the layer's name where the tracks remain - that should select entire layer with all tracks in it.

 

The tricks are working, but I probably need to make dedicated feature for lifting of all selected tracks and objects in some of the next versions of SCARM.

 

Mixy

Mixy, the "Ian's locomotives" 3-D images are exceptionally well done. It's very clever that they will auto-size for different scales. MANY THANKS for continuing to enhance SCARM with all these additional features!

 

I've just installed the latest 9.28 version of SCARM. I had no problems with download or installation. "Slope mode" to show track gradients is a welcome new feature.

 

Today I am working over Marx tracks - the information from Steve is very useful.

 

@Ace: I will reply by e-mail as these features of SCARM are still under development and not well documented.

 

Mixy

Here is the preliminary Marx O27 library for testing in SCARM:

 

Marx O27 Track Library For SCARM

 

Please, check it with real tracks and comment here or in the blog about how it performs.

 

Mixy

Mixy, first thank you for designing SCARM and making it available as freeware. I have totally enjoyed using the software and designing layouts. I was wondering if you are planning to include Williams EZ Streets library in the future?

Hi all,

 

The new SCARM v. 0.9.29 is ready and published. Read more about it here:

SCARM Railraod Layout Designer 0.9.29 Released

@tlcottone: I will search for Williams EZ Streets and if possible, will add them to the libraries.

Mixy

Hi Mixy,

A simple question that I never asked ...do you recommend uninstalling a previous version before installing the new version?

Hi Carl,

 

No, that is not required. Only if you have troubles with the update - then it is recommended to uninstall and then re-install the latest version.

 

Mixy

  Mixy, you may want to look at one of Lee Willis's posts. At the bottom in his "quote area" he has links to his site where you can download his "streets books" for free! I think he has track, size & part numbers listed in them. Cool books too.

(Ez Streets, and Super Streets are the two brand names)

Mixy,

here you go page 11 starts a great description of the track and track geometry.

 

Just call it streets.

Thanks, that book is a good starting point

 

As I understand, there are 2-3 brands that share the same roadway geometry?

 

Mixy

I think the order of ownership on the Streets line was "K-line, Lionel, and now Williams by Bachmann.

Lionel likely ended up owning it during "command court battles"/K-line bankruptcy.

My trains were in deep storage "waiting" back in those days, so I only know what Lee has shared, a 5min demonstration at my brothers old house, and a few tidbits that stuck it my head along the way. (Thanks again Lee!) (You too Mixy, That library is growing much faster than I ever thought it could, let alone would.  )

Bachmann-EZ Street

Hi. When using Scarm can I set up a workspace equivalent to my train room dimensions.  How do I know how big my design will be and if it will fit my room?  Thanks.

Patrick use the toolbox function.

I'll check it out. Thanks ticottone

Wow, another version of SCARM ... and I just updated to 9.27 a few days ago! Thank You Mixy for continuing to improve SCARM with additional features!

I was interested to see the Marx track library as a new feature, but it does not include the Marx O34 curves and "long straights'. It has been a long time since those items were made, but I've found a fair amount of it secondhand and currently use it on different O-gauge layouts. O34 curves are especially handy because they can be used concentric with O27 curves to form double tracks. There were also O34 switches to match the geometry of O34 curves and "long straights". These were all "O27 profile", meaning the track and rail are not as tall as O31 curves and the other 'standard' O-gauge 3-rail track.

I've created my own Marx pieces to use in SCARM plans with these dimensions, measured carefully from actual pieces of track:

O34 curve has 15.8 inch radius. Nominal 34 inch overall diameter.
"Long straights" are close to 11.2 inches long.

 

 This photo shows a small temporary layout that uses O27 curves inside, O34 curves outside, and some O42 and O54 transition curves - all O27 profile track. I planned it with SCARM before fitting the pieces together. No straight track; I prefer the way the compound curves flow together.

 

There are two ways that I do it. First the 2D method.

 

Scroll  out the zoom to adjust the rulers to a space large enough for the room. The tap the Home button to put 0,0 at the top left corner.

 

The select figures from the left menu and select as polygon.

 

Using a sketch with measurements taken of the room, create a polygon to match.

 

When it's completed and the Properties box appears, set the vertical position and height at zero and select the gray box next to color for translucent. Ok.

 

Now you will have an outline of the room to create a baseboard(benchwork). Then you know it will fit.

 

The second method expands on this and creates walls for the 3D view

I am not sure how to answer the second question. if you know the space dimensions, those are your limits. Why would make a design longer than the length\width of the space. You can view the rulers or determine the length the track with the measure tool. The tape measure icon at the top on the menu bar.

Hi all

 

About the baseboard/workbench and room dimensions - check How to create baseboard/workbench contour in SCARM and then the Advanced video tutorial about baseboards. Moonman already explained about making of the room outlines.

 

@Ace: Cool layout If you know the part numbers of the missing Marx tracks in the preliminary lib, write here or drop me an e-mail and I will add them.

 

Mixy

Thanks Moonman.  Wasn't aware of any of those steps.  I will try the method you describe so I'll get  an idea of my design progress and room limits.  I do have my room dimensions and will use that as the limits.  

 

 

to help you shape the polygon, the coordinates of the cursor are shown in the lower left corner. The cursor also moves the pointer which is shown on the rulers.

 

Click on tools in the menu bar and select settings to setup your 2D view with rulers and a grid. be aware that the grid is a five inch grid. 

Got the baseboard and room dimensions set.  Good advice, thanks.

Feature request: Flex track horizontal easements

You are quite welcome! I hope you get a design that you like. It will build exactly as designed if you pay attention the spacing from walls and. I usually pick one point that the entire layout is indexed from for the build.

I tried a workaround for you.

two tracks 37W GG

select parallel start point, 4.5", left or right side, opposite

Open toolbox, flex track tool

select GG 37w flex

enter .25 in radius and .25 Arc Angle

select curve button

select fix

select 37w straight attached the that small piece

 

it takes the 4.5" centers to 4.25" centers in 74" + small piece.

 

At the opposite end create the same small piece in the opposite direct to make them parallel again. a - angle and + angle or the reverse

Is that what you were looking for

 

Thanks, but that's not what I am referring to.

I'm talking about this: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Track_transition_curve

 

Some of the programs that compete with SCARM have that feature, and

I will probably continue to use "brand X" until there is easement support.

 

Start that easement track exactly 3.5 inches from the bottom edge and 48" from the left edge of the table, benchwork or baseboard. A simple thing to ask that brand x doesn't do.

 

You can make easements in one or two steps more with brand free.

 

I have brand x. prefer brand free.

Thanks for the tip, but that won't or can't generate the compound curve that

is used in horizontal easements. no simple manipulation of fixed radus

straights and curves can.