Modeling an HO Scale Railroad Using Trainz:
Where the Ruler is King! (Continued)

By John D'Angelo

When you use the ruler, you can also use it to define more detailed areas. For example, if you want to duplicate an 18-inch radius for curved track, you can mark the curve points and then lay in the track. I formed an 18-inch radius section of curved track by using the steps below:


Begin the curve.

First I lay a section of track in a straight line and �lock� it so it cannot bend.


Use the ruler.

Since the ruler uses feet and decimals of feet, I computed that 18 inches was equal to 1.5 feet. I placed the ruler to be at right angles to the track and ran it 1.5 feet to the inside of the curve.


Placing the second ruler.

Then I placed another ruler at the inside section of the first ruler and running perpendicular to the original line, again 1.5 feet long. This will set where you will place the straight piece of straight track to end the curve.


The second section of straight track.

This track is also �locked" in.


The completed 18-inch radius curve.

To complete the curve, I just joined the new section of track to the two straight sections, and the curve was formed automatically. I like to add one more ruler line to the center of the curve, just to be sure the curve is correct.

The ruler can be a great tool for design of any models and the placement of objects on the route. The only thing to remember is that the ruler tends to be a memory hog and if you don�t remove it you can get frame rate problems. Once you have your track work completed, you can remove the rulers. If you want to keep the rulers in the scene for possible use in the future, I suggest that you save the route as �XXX with rulers� and you can call that version up when you wish. You can use the route with the rulers removed for running on and get better frame rates.

I hope this little explanation of using the ruler option can help you enjoy your hobby more.

John
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Article and screen shots �2006 John D'Angelo. All rights reserved.

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