Basemapz - Revision history

S301 at 06:48, 19 April 2022

2022-04-19T06:48:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 06:48, 19 April 2022
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	The Basemapz program is a stand-alone application developed by ModelerMJ. It is supplied with Trainz Model Railroad 2017 and is also available '''for free''' from [https://~~www~~.dhobh.net/~~trainz~~ the author's website].		The Basemapz program is a stand-alone application developed by ModelerMJ. It is supplied with Trainz Model Railroad 2017 and is also available '''for free''' from [https://sites.google.com/view/dhobh-net/home the author's website].

	'''This page was last updated on 11-Dec-2016 and covers all versions up to and including 1.0; the current version as of the date shown is 0.9.3.'''		'''This page was last updated on 11-Dec-2016 and covers all versions up to and including 1.0; the current version as of the date shown is 0.9.3.'''

Modelermj at 14:09, 15 May 2020

2020-05-15T14:09:09Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:09, 15 May 2020
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	The Basemapz program is a stand-alone application developed by ModelerMJ. It is supplied with Trainz Model Railroad 2017 and is also available '''for free''' from [~~http~~://www.dhobh.net/trainz the author's website].		The Basemapz program is a stand-alone application developed by ModelerMJ. It is supplied with Trainz Model Railroad 2017 and is also available '''for free''' from [https://www.dhobh.net/trainz the author's website].

	'''This page was last updated on 11-Dec-2016 and covers all versions up to and including 1.0; the current version as of the date shown is 0.9.3.'''		'''This page was last updated on 11-Dec-2016 and covers all versions up to and including 1.0; the current version as of the date shown is 0.9.3.'''

Modelermj: /* Be Aware of the Auto-Generated Layers */

2016-12-11T05:33:51Z

Be Aware of the Auto-Generated Layers

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:33, 11 December 2016
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	<br />		<br />
	==<span style="color:blue;">Be Aware of the Auto-Generated Layers</span>==		==<span style="color:blue;">Be Aware of the Auto-Generated Layers</span>==
	When Basemapz creates a route, it also creates several layers that are commonly used when creating Model Railroadz. To see these layers, choose the Layers icon at the right side of Surveyor.		When Basemapz creates a route, it also creates several layers that are commonly used when creating Model Railroadz. To see these layers, choose the '''Layers''' icon at the right side of Surveyor.

	[[File:Basemapz_TaneLayers-75.png]]		[[File:Basemapz_TaneLayers-75.png]]
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	<br />		<br />

	==<span style="color:blue;">Lay Track from Directly Overhead</span>==		==<span style="color:blue;">Lay Track from Directly Overhead</span>==
	When you are laying tack (and placing other objects), it is important to be looking straight down at the track plan. If you are looking at the plan from an angle, you will quite likely end up missing the lines.		When you are laying tack (and placing other objects), it is important to be looking straight down at the track plan. If you are looking at the plan from an angle, you will quite likely end up missing the lines.

Modelermj: /* Import the Route into TS12 and Earlier */

2016-12-11T05:32:03Z

Import the Route into TS12 and Earlier

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:32, 11 December 2016
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	<br />		<br />
	This will cause a ''Folder Browser'' dialog to appear. Right-click in the '''~~Location~~''' field at the bottom, and select '''Paste''' from the menu that appears; this will place the location of your Basemapz export files, which you just copied to the clipboard from within Basemapz, into the ''Folder Browser'' dialog.		This will cause a ''Folder Browser'' dialog to appear. Right-click in the '''Folder''' field at the bottom, and select '''Paste''' from the menu that appears; this will place the location of your Basemapz export files, which you just copied to the clipboard from within Basemapz, into the ''Folder Browser'' dialog.

	[[File:Basemapz_TS12ImportBrowseForFolder.png]]		[[File:Basemapz_TS12ImportBrowseForFolder.png]]

Modelermj: /* Previewing the Track Plan as it will Appear in Trainz */

2016-12-11T05:28:33Z

Previewing the Track Plan as it will Appear in Trainz

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:28, 11 December 2016
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	==<span style="color:blue;">Previewing the Track Plan as it will Appear in Trainz</span>==		==<span style="color:blue;">Previewing the Track Plan as it will Appear in Trainz</span>==
	Now we are ready to preview the track plan as it will appear in Trainz. To do this, click '''Render Route Image'''. A progress bar will be displayed while the preview is being generated, after which the preview will be displayed. Here's what that looks like for my example layout.		Now we are ready to preview the track plan as it will appear in Trainz. To do this, click '''Render Route Image'''. A progress bar will be displayed while the preview is being generated, after which the preview will be displayed. Here's what that looks like for the example layout.

	[[File:Basemapz_PreviewFRG.png]]		[[File:Basemapz_PreviewFRG.png]]
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	<br />		<br />

	==<span style="color:blue;">Ready for the Next Step</span>==		==<span style="color:blue;">Ready for the Next Step</span>==
	<span style="color:green;">'''We're now ready to export the track plan to Trainz, as explained in the following section.'''</span>		<span style="color:green;">'''We're now ready to export the track plan to Trainz, as explained in the following section.'''</span>

Modelermj: /* Anti-Virus Considerations */

2016-12-11T05:20:03Z

Anti-Virus Considerations

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:20, 11 December 2016
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	==<span style="color:red;">Anti-Virus Considerations</span>==		==<span style="color:red;">Anti-Virus Considerations</span>==
	Symantec Endpoint Protection considers TrainzMeshImporter.exe (included as part of the Basemapz installation) to be a virus, and will summarily remove it from your system. If you have this anti-virus product installed, watch for the message stating that TrainzMeshImporter.exe is unsafe and has been removed~~; click~~ on the message for details, then restore the file; an exception should automatically be created for the file as well. TrainzMeshImporter.exe is a vital component of Basemapz and the software will not run without it.		Symantec Endpoint Protection considers TrainzMeshImporter.exe (included as part of the Basemapz installation) to be a virus, and will summarily remove it from your system. If you have this anti-virus product installed, watch for the message stating that TrainzMeshImporter.exe is unsafe and has been removed. Click on the message for details, then restore the file; an exception should automatically be created for the file as well. TrainzMeshImporter.exe is a vital component of Basemapz and the software will not run without it.

	<br />		<br />

	==<span style="color:blue;">Startup</span>==		==<span style="color:blue;">Startup</span>==
	To start Basemapz, locate the shortcut (shown above) on your desktop and double-click it. Or, open the Windows ''Start'' Menu, select '''All Apps''', find Basemapz in the alphabetized list, and click it once.		To start Basemapz, locate the shortcut (shown above) on your desktop and double-click it. Or, open the Windows ''Start'' Menu, select '''All Apps''', find Basemapz in the alphabetized list, and click it once.

Modelermj at 05:16, 11 December 2016

2016-12-11T05:16:18Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:16, 11 December 2016
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	The Basemapz program is a stand-alone application developed by ModelerMJ. It is supplied with Trainz Model Railroad 2017 and is also available '''for free''' from [http://www.dhobh.net/trainz the author's website].		The Basemapz program is a stand-alone application developed by ModelerMJ. It is supplied with Trainz Model Railroad 2017 and is also available '''for free''' from [http://www.dhobh.net/trainz the author's website].

	'''This page covers all ~~Versions~~ up to and including 1.0.'''		'''This page was last updated on 11-Dec-2016 and covers all versions up to and including 1.0; the current version as of the date shown is 0.9.3.'''

	<!--		<!--

Modelermj at 05:14, 11 December 2016

2016-12-11T05:14:40Z

Modelermj: /* Convert Track Plan Elevations and Other Dimensions Properly */

2016-12-01T13:33:50Z

Convert Track Plan Elevations and Other Dimensions Properly

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 1 December 2016
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	In these formulas:		In these formulas:
	* '''[scale dimension in inches]''' is the track plan value you want to convert (in inches)		* '''[scale dimension in inches]''' is the track plan value you want to convert, in inches
	* '''[scale dimension in ~~inches~~]''' is the track plan value you want to convert (in ~~inches)~~		* '''[scale dimension in feet]''' is the track plan value you want to convert, in feet
	* '''[scale factor multiplier]''' is the multiplier for the modeling scale that the track plan was designed for (N, HO, and so on)		* '''[scale factor multiplier]''' is the multiplier for the modeling scale that the track plan was designed for (N, HO, and so on)

Modelermj: /* Convert Track Plan Elevations and Other Dimensions Properly */

2016-12-01T13:33:20Z

Convert Track Plan Elevations and Other Dimensions Properly

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:33, 1 December 2016
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	'''[result in real world meters] = ( [ scale dimension in feet ] x [scale factor multiplier] ) x 0.3048'''		'''[result in real world meters] = ( [ scale dimension in feet ] x [scale factor multiplier] ) x 0.3048'''

	In ~~this formula,~~ '''[scale dimension in inches]''' is the track plan value you want to convert (in inches)~~, and~~ '''[scale factor multiplier]''' is the multiplier for the scale that the track plan was designed for (N, HO, and so on).		In these formulas:
			* '''[scale dimension in inches]''' is the track plan value you want to convert (in inches)
			* '''[scale dimension in inches]''' is the track plan value you want to convert (in inches)
			* '''[scale factor multiplier]''' is the multiplier for the modeling scale that the track plan was designed for (N, HO, and so on)

	'''If the track plan you are working from is already dimensioned in meters, then simply multiply the values given by the scale factor multiplier.'''		'''If the track plan you are working from is already dimensioned in meters, then simply multiply the values given by the scale factor multiplier.'''

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:14, 11 December 2016
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	The Basemapz program is a stand-alone application developed by ModelerMJ. It is supplied with Trainz Model Railroad 2017 and is also available '''for free''' from [http://www.dhobh.net/trainz the author's website].		The Basemapz program is a stand-alone application developed by ModelerMJ. It is supplied with Trainz Model Railroad 2017 and is also available '''for free''' from [http://www.dhobh.net/trainz the author's website].

	'''This page covers ~~Version~~ 1.0.'''		'''This page covers all Versions up to and including 1.0.'''

	NOTE: TMR17 was as-yet unreleased when this text was being written, so T:ANE has bee substituted since it is closest in functionality. If you have TMR17, please replace all references to T:ANE with TMR17 as you go through the various parts of this document.

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	=<span style="color:blue;">'''Introduction'''</span>=		=<span style="color:blue;">'''Introduction'''</span>=
	This document describes Version 1.0 of Basemapz, a Windows™ application that allows you to quickly transfer a model railroad track plan image into the Trainz™ Railroad Simulator environment. Basemapz is compatible with Windows 7 through 10; and with Trainz versions TS2009, TS2010, TS12, TS12-SP1 ~~and~~ T:ANE.		This document describes Version 1.0 of Basemapz, a Windows™ application that allows you to quickly transfer a model railroad track plan image into the Trainz™ Railroad Simulator environment. Basemapz is compatible with Windows 7 through 10; and with Trainz versions TS2009, TS2010, TS12, TS12-SP1, T:ANE and TMR17.

	Using an easy-to-understand process, Basemapz produces a complete Trainz Route containing the required arrangement of baseboards, plus a collection of auto-positioned basemap carrier objects that each contain the section of the track plan image that falls on one baseboard. The output of Basemapz is placed in a series of folders that can be imported into Trainz Content Manager in a single operation, where the Route is then immediately available for editing in Surveyor.		Using an easy-to-understand process, Basemapz produces a complete Trainz Route containing the required arrangement of baseboards, plus a collection of auto-positioned basemap carrier objects that each contain the section of the track plan image that falls on one baseboard. The output of Basemapz is placed in a series of folders that can be imported into Trainz Content Manager in a single operation, where the Route is then immediately available for editing in Surveyor.
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	* The route can then be opened immediately in Surveyor, and track and other items can be placed in the usual way, using the basemap images as a guide.		* The route can then be opened immediately in Surveyor, and track and other items can be placed in the usual way, using the basemap images as a guide.
	** It is highly recommended that you turn on the '''Process Objects Behind Camera''' option (in T:ANE) to ensure the basemaps stay visible as you pan around.		** It is highly recommended that you turn on the '''Process Objects Behind Camera''' option (in T:ANE and TMR17) to ensure the basemaps stay visible as you pan around.

	* When the basemaps are no longer needed, they must be deleted to avoid violating the copyright of the track plan image owner.		* When the basemaps are no longer needed, they must be deleted to avoid violating the copyright of the track plan image owner.
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	==<span style="color:blue;">Finding Your User ID and Author Name in T:ANE</span>==		==<span style="color:blue;">Finding Your User ID and Author Name in T:ANE</span>==
	To locate your User ID and Author Name in T:ANE, begin by starting the T:ANE software. In the startup screen, choose '''Trainz Settings'''.		To locate your User ID and Author Name in T:ANE and TMR17, begin by starting the T:ANE or TMR17 software. In the startup screen, choose '''Trainz Settings'''.

	[[File:Basemapz_UserID04.png]]		[[File:Basemapz_UserID04.png]]
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	* '''Starting Content ID''' - This is where you enter the Content ID that will be used for the first basemap that is generated for your track plan; Basemapz uses a default value of '''60000''' here. One basemap is generated for each baseboard in a Trainz route, and when a track plan requires more than 1 basemap, this number will automatically be incremented for each additional basemap required. In any case, this number will be combined with your Trainz User ID to create something called a KUID for each generated basemap. If you'd like to learn more about what a KUID is and how it is used, please check out [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#KUIDs_and_Content_IDs this link].		* '''Starting Content ID''' - This is where you enter the Content ID that will be used for the first basemap that is generated for your track plan; Basemapz uses a default value of '''60000''' here. One basemap is generated for each baseboard in a Trainz route, and when a track plan requires more than 1 basemap, this number will automatically be incremented for each additional basemap required. In any case, this number will be combined with your Trainz User ID to create something called a KUID for each generated basemap. If you'd like to learn more about what a KUID is and how it is used, please check out [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#KUIDs_and_Content_IDs this link].

	* '''Trainz User ID''' - This is a number that is assigned to you by N3V Games when you register your copy of Trainz. For information on how to find this number, look [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#Finding_Your_User_ID_and_Author_Name_in_TS12_and_Earlier here] for TS12 and earlier, or [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#Finding_Your_User_ID_and_Author_Name_in_T:ANE here] for T:ANE.		* '''Trainz User ID''' - This is a number that is assigned to you by N3V Games when you register your copy of Trainz. For information on how to find this number, look [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#Finding_Your_User_ID_and_Author_Name_in_TS12_and_Earlier here] for TS12 and earlier, or [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#Finding_Your_User_ID_and_Author_Name_in_T:ANE here] for T:ANE or TMR17.

	* '''Author Name''' - This is a name you pick when you register your copy of Trainz. This name gets used in the Trainz forums and also goes into the configuration file for any assets you create - in this case, the basemaps and route that are generated by Basemapz. For information on how to find this name, look [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#Finding_Your_User_ID_and_Author_Name_in_TS12_and_Earlier here] for TS12 and earlier, or [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#Finding_Your_User_ID_and_Author_Name_in_T:ANE here] for T:ANE.		* '''Author Name''' - This is a name you pick when you register your copy of Trainz. This name gets used in the Trainz forums and also goes into the configuration file for any assets you create - in this case, the basemaps and route that are generated by Basemapz. For information on how to find this name, look [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#Finding_Your_User_ID_and_Author_Name_in_TS12_and_Earlier here] for TS12 and earlier, or [http://online.ts2009.com/mediaWiki/index.php/Basemapz#Finding_Your_User_ID_and_Author_Name_in_T:ANE here] for T:ANE or TMR17.

	* '''Organization''' - If you're just doing this for fun, you can leave this blank. Otherwise, enter the name of your company, hobby group and so on into this field.		* '''Organization''' - If you're just doing this for fun, you can leave this blank. Otherwise, enter the name of your company, hobby group and so on into this field.
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	<br />		<br />
	==<span style="color:blue;">Import the Route into T:ANE</span>==		==<span style="color:blue;">Import the Route into T:ANE or TMR17</span>==
	Start T:ANE and, from the Trainz Launchpad, select '''Manage Content'''.		Start T:ANE or TMR17 and, from the Trainz Launchpad, select '''Manage Content'''.

	[[File:Basemapz_TANELaunchPadManageContent.png]]		[[File:Basemapz_TANELaunchPadManageContent.png]]
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	=<span style="color:blue;">'''Tips for Building Your Route'''</span>=		=<span style="color:blue;">'''Tips for Building Your Route'''</span>=
	In this section, we'll look a bit closer at what was actually generated, and talk a bit about how to use the basemaps to lay track and position other objects. We'll be using examples from T:ANE SP1~~, since it is most reflective of TMR17 at the time this is being written~~.		In this section, we'll look a bit closer at what was actually generated, and talk a bit about how to use the basemaps to lay track and position other objects. We'll be using examples from T:ANE SP1.

	<br />		<br />
	==<span style="color:blue;">In T:ANE, Reset the Environment Colors</span>==		==<span style="color:blue;">In T:ANE or TMR17, Reset the Environment Colors</span>==
	As noted earlier, when you first load a Basemapz-generated route into T:ANE, the track plan imagery will appear 'washed out'. This is due to differences n the way that T:ANE ~~interprets~~ environmental lighting values versus TS12. This is easy to fix; start by selecting '''Edit Environment''' on the Surveyor '''Main Menu'''.		As noted earlier, when you first load a Basemapz-generated route into T:ANE or TMR17, the track plan imagery will appear 'washed out'. This is due to differences in the way that T:ANE and TMR17 interpret environmental lighting values, versus TS12. This is easy to fix; start by selecting '''Edit Environment''' on the Surveyor '''Main Menu'''.

	[[File:Basemapz_TaneEEMenu.png]]		[[File:Basemapz_TaneEEMenu.png]]
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	<br />		<br />
	==<span style="color:blue;">In T:ANE, Turn on 'Process Objects Behind Camera'</span>==		==<span style="color:blue;">In T:ANE or TMR17, Turn on 'Process Objects Behind Camera'</span>==
	To prevent basemaps from appearing and disappearing as you pan around in your route, you can turn on an option in T:ANE called ''Process Objects Behind Camera''. This tells Trainz to monitor all the objects in a scene, whether they are actually visible or not, which in turn causes the objects to remain available within the view even after you pan away from them.		To prevent basemaps from appearing and disappearing as you pan around in your route, you can turn on an option in T:ANE and TMR17 called ''Process Objects Behind Camera''. This tells Trainz to monitor all the objects in a scene, whether they are actually visible or not, which in turn causes the objects to remain available within the view even after you pan away from them.

	Begin by selecting '''Settings''' on the Surveyor '''Main Menu'''.		Begin by selecting '''Settings''' on the Surveyor '''Main Menu'''.