How to Use S20 Tools

The information in this Wiki Page applies to Surveyor 2.0 (S20) as found in Trainz Plus.

This document is  still being written 

The Tools Palette

Notes: Palettes If the Tools Palette is not shown on the screen, then:- 1. open the Window Menu from the menu icons at the top of the screen   visible palettes with have ticks next to their names 2. Left click on the item Tools Palette   this will add a tick and make the Tools Palette visible 3. make sure that the Tool Options Palette is also visible

The Brush Tool

Keyboard Shortcut:  W

The Brush Tool "Paints" the Terrain, Ground Textures, Effect Layers and Scrapbook Scenes in a Route

When selected, the Brush Tool has two drop down menu lists.

The first drop down menu will set the "Brush Target" which is the type of brush. The Targets are:- Ground Height Ground Texture Scrapbook Data <List of Effect Layers> Edit Effect Layers If you have any Effect Layers then they will appear as Targets in this drop down list. Select an Effect Layer to use the brush to paint with that layer.

Ground Height

This brush tool uses the Tool Options Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to  Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.

When the Ground Height Target is selected, the second drop down box will give a choice of several Ground Height tools.

The choices are:-
Height Up Height Down Set Height Grade

The available brush tool options are shown in the Tool Options Palette with a  Gold  coloured icon next to their names. Those options that have their icon greyed out will be ignored, but they can still be edited.
Height Up/Height Down	Set Height	Grade	Radius  the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below Range:  5m and above  Height  the brush height (metres) Range:  -3000m to 3000m  Sensitivity  the rate at which the height changes Range:  1% (very slowly) to 100% (very quickly)  Grade  slope gradient - see Notes: below Range:  0% = flat ("Plateau" in Classic) to   ±100% = steep (but not vertical)  Angle  grade direction (compass degrees) Range:  0° (North) to ±359° a negative value reverses the grade

Notes: Unlike Surveyor Classic, there appears to be no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. However, if you are using the brush to set an entire baseboard, or many baseboards, to a specific height then the Marquee Tool may be a better choice. The  Grade  is defined as vertical rise divided by horizontal distance converted to a percentage figure. So a grade of 100% (the maximum allowed) would mean a slope formed by the height and distance both being the same value (e.g. a height increase of 50m over a distance of 50m). A vertical slope (a cliff) would have an infinite grade which is currently impossible in Surveyor.

Ground Texture

This brush tool uses the Tool Options Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to  Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.

When the Ground Texture Target is selected, the second drop down box will be disabled - there are no brush texture tool choices.

The available brush tool options are shown in the Tool Options Palette with a  Gold  coloured icon next to their names. Those options that have their icon greyed out will be ignored, but they can still be edited.

Radius  the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below Range:  5m and above  Sensitivity  texture transparency Range:  1% = almost transparent to   100% = solid (opaque)  Rotation  initial rotation angle - see Notes: below Range:  0° to ±360° (larger angles can be entered)  Scale  the texture pattern scaling factor Range:  0.01% = smallest to 100% = full size

Notes: Unlike Surveyor Classic, there appears to be no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. If you are using the brush to paint an entire baseboard, or many baseboards, then the Marquee Tool will be quicker but it will not give the options of changing the scale and rotation. The  Rotation  controls the starting angle for the texture when painting and is often used to avoid pattern repetition. As in Surveyor Classic, holding down the  [  or  ]  keys while painting will continuously change the rotation angle. Warning: Changing the rotation angle during painting is not recommended for PBR Textures as this will significantly increase the memory useage (each rotation will load in another copy of the PBR texture).

Scrapbook Data

The scrapbook contents can be Pasted into a route from the Context Menu of a scenery asset.

This brush tool uses both the Tool Options Palette and the Scrapbook Palette. If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to  Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.

 The Scrapbook Brush 

When the Scrapbook Data Target is selected, the second drop down box will give a choice of two Scrapbook Data tools.

The choices are:-
Scrapbook Brush Scrapbook Clone

Scrapbook Brush  will resize the scrapbook contents to fit the selected brush shape and size. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If the brush is small then the scrapbook contents will be compressed closer together Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If the brush is large then the contents will be spaced further apart Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 Every Left Click will paste another complete scrapbook copy Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The Scale control in the Tool Options Palette is ignored.  Scrapbook Clone  will paste the scrapbook at its original size - subject to the Scale setting. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If the brush is the same size as the original scrapbook then a single exact copy will be pasted Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If the brush is smaller than the original scrapbook size then only the central part of the scrapbook will be revealed and more will be added when the brush is moved around until the "painted" area reaches the size of the original. Further painting will clone or tile the scrapbook contents Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If the brush is larger than the original scrapbook size then the contents will be cloned or tiled to fill the set brush size Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 The Scale control is not ignored but selecting extremes (e.g. a very large brush and a very small scale value) can cause problems (e.g. system "lockup" while it attempts to scale and clone the scrapbook contents)

The available brush tool options are shown in the Tool Options Palette with a  Gold  coloured icon next to their names. Those options that have their icon greyed out will be ignored, but they can still be edited.
Scrapbook Brush	Scrapbook Clone	Radius  the brush radius (metres) - see Notes: below Range:  5m and above  Rotation  initial rotation angle (degrees) - see Notes: below Range:  0° to ±360° (larger angles can be entered)  Scale  the scrapbook scaling factor Range:  0.01% = smallest to 100% = full size  Shape  brush shape Options:  Circle and Square will set the brush to the selected shape   Natural will set the brush to the same shape as the Marquee that created the scrapbook, which may be rectangular. The Radius setting will set the relative brush dimensions

Notes: Unlike Surveyor Classic, there appears to be no upper limit to the brush  Radius . Brushes of hundreds of metres (even kilometres) in size are possible. The  Rotation  controls the starting angle for pasting the scrapbook objects. In Surveyor Classic you could only rotate and paste in 90° increments. In S20 you can rotate and paste at any angle.

The Scrapbook Palette

Scrapbook Pasting Options   What Features to Paste      Ground Height  terrain height(s) used in the scrapbook     Texture  textures used in the scrapbook     Meshes  scenery objects (e.g. trees, buildings) used in the scrapbook     Splines  spline objects used in the scrapbook     Effect Layers  effect layers (TurfFX, Clutter) used in the scrapbook  How to Paste Each Feature     None  do not paste this feature     Add  add this feature to those already present     Overwrite  use this feature to replace those already present For the Ground Height feature:-     Absolute  use the ground heights in the scrapbook to replace the existing ground heights     Relative  modify the existing ground heights according to those used in the scrapbook (to ignore the scrapbook ground heights completely select the option None)

Effect Layers

If the route has preset Effect Layers installed then they will be listed individually as additional Targets.

To paint with an Effect Layer simply select one from the list and start painting. The Brush Tool Options settings  Radius  and  Sensitivity  will control how the Effect Layer is applied. Notes: Effect Layers are created using the Edit Effect Layers options found in both the Edit Menu at the top of the screen and also in the Brush Tools drop down list (see below). They can also be loaded from .CDP files and installed from the Download Station (DLS). Once installed or created, they can be added to a route as presets using either of the Edit Effect Layers options.

Edit Effect Layers...

When this Target is selected, the Edit Effect Layers options will appear. This is the same as selecting Edit Effect Layers ... from the Trainz Edit Menu.

If no Effect Layers are present then you can create a new one

If Effect Layers are present then select one to edit

More information on creating and editing Effect Layers can be found on the Trainz Wiki at:- TurfFX_Effect_Layer Clutter_Effect_Layer Water_Effect_Layer

The Placement Tool

Keyboard Shortcut:  E

The Placement Tool Adds Objects to a Route

This tool uses the Assets Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to  Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.

When selected, the Placement Tool has no drop down menu lists.

More Placement Options After an object has been placed in a route its position and height can be changed by:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 using the  Free Move Tool Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 using the  Fine Adjustment Tool Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 editing its  X   Y   Z  values in  The Info Palette Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 selecting the  Apply Height  option in its Context Menu

The first step is to identify and select the particular object that you want to add to the route.

Placing a Scenery Mesh Object

Individual "non-spline" scenery objects that are not attached to track are often referred to in Trainz terminology as  Scenery Mesh Objects .

In the Asset Palette either:-

Left click on an object selection icon all ground textures all non-spline scenery objects all spline scenery objects all track spline objects all track objects (signals, etc) all rolling stock all Effect Layer presets

OR

Left click the Content Drop-down Box Then select Scenery Objects

Shortcut  If you already have the same object placed in your route then:- select the Eyedropper Tool in the Tools Palette (or press the  R  key) Left click on the existing ojbect in the route then Left click on the objects name in the Filter List This will instantly select that particular object in the Filter List and switch control to the Placement Tool. Jump to Step below.

To narrow down the filter list type part of the object name into the Search Text Box. For example if you have selected Scenery Objects and want to find "barns", then type "barn" (UPPER/lower case does not matter).

This will list all the Scenery Objects containing the text "barn" in their name. Select (Left click) on the required item in the list (e.g. "Wooden Barn"). When selected the object will be highlighted on a blue background and its name will appear in the Assets Palette title bar. If you are not sure about an object then Dbl-Left click on the name to bring up its image and description. Selecting an object in the Assets Palette filter list will automatically select the Placement Tool so the next Left click in the route will place that object in the route.

The final step is to place the selected object into the route. If the Placement Tool is not selected then Left click it or press the  E  key Click on the spot where you want to place the object

Notes: Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the Placement Tool will remain on and active until another tool has been selected. So everytime you click another copy of the object (or another object if you change your selection) will be added to the route Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the last object placed will be highlighted (covered in "green/yellow"). This will be the selected object if you switch control to the Free Move Tool or the Fine Adjustment Tool

Placing a Scenery or Track Spline

Start the process of laying a track or spline by identifying and selecting the spline as described in steps to above. Then continue by following the steps listed below.

		"Click on the spot" as shown in Step above to place the start or first endpoint of the spline.
		Move the mouse in the direction you want to lay the spline or track. The spline will follow the mouse wherever you move it.
		When you have the pointer in the final position for the first spline segment, Left click the mouse. This will anchor the second spline endpoint. The spline between the two endpoints is the first spline segment. The spline segment will now have three Context Icons, one for each endpoint and one for the spline segment.
		Left click on the new endpoint and move the mouse in the direction you want to continue laying the spline or track. The spline will follow the mouse wherever you move it.
		When you have the pointer in the final position for the second spline segment, Left click the mouse. This will anchor the third spline endpoint and produce new Context Icons for the second segment.
		Repeat Steps and above to continue laying the spline.

 Spline Segment Heights 

When you start adding a spline to a route it will always be placed at the height of the terrain regardless of the Tool Options  Height  setting.

However, you can set the height of the last segment that was added and this will set the height of all the segments added from that point.

Lay the first spline segment which will be added at the terrain ground height Enter a value in the Tool Options  Height  and press the  Enter  key The endpoints of the current spline segment will immediately be adjusted to the new height setting Continue laying spline segments. Each new segment will be added at the new height

Placement Tool Options

The Tool Options Palette  Height  setting for Scenery Mesh Objects, Scenery Splines and Track Splines when using the Placement Tool does not show a gold coloured icon which indicates an "active" control setting but the setting is active.

 Mesh Object Tool Options 

After placing the mesh object in the route, enter a value in the Tool Options Palette  Height  setting Press the  Enter  key The object will be moved to the set height above (or below) the terrain. The vertical yellow line shown in the second image on the left indicates the height change. The small yellow dot at the base of the line is the terrain attachment point for the object. An existing height that is already in the Tool Options Palette can also be applied after the object has been placed using the  Apply Height  option in its Context Menu.

 Spline Tool Options 

Splines have two Placement Tool settings in the Tool Options Palette.

Grade  spline gradient (see Notes: below). The finishing endpoint of each spline segment will be set higher (for a positive grade) or lower (for a negative grade) than the starting endpoint Range:  0% (flat) to ±100% (steep but not vertical)  Condition  this applies to Track Spline objects and sets the track condition (or "ride comfort") for each segment Range:  1% (terrible track condition) to 100% (perfect track condition) The Track Condition can also be set for each track segment in its Context Menu  Edit Properties  option The  Height  setting in the Tool Options Palette can also be applied to a selected spline endpoint or segment. If the endpoint or segment is at the end of the spline then the following new endpoints and segments will be added at the new height. The height change can be made by:- directly entering a value in the Tool Options  Height  setting, OR selecting the  Apply Height  option from the objects Context Menu

Notes:   The  Grade  is defined as vertical rise divided by horizontal distance converted to a percentage figure. So a grade of 100% (the maximum allowed) would mean a gradient formed by both measurements having the same value (e.g. a rise of 50m over a distance of 50m). A vertical grade (such as up a cliff face) would have an infinite grade which is currently impossible in Surveyor.

Deleting Placed Objects

To delete objects either:-

Select the object or a group of objects using either the:- Free Move Tool (or press  S ) OR Fine Adjustment Tool (or press  D )   Multiple objects can be selected by holding down the  Shift  key when using these tools Then .. Either:- Press the  Delete  key, OR Open the Context Menu of the object (or object group) and select the  Delete  option

OR

Use the Marquee Tool to select the object or a group of objects, then either:- Press the  Delete  key OR Open the Marquee Context Menu and select the  Delete  option

The Eyedropper Tool

Keyboard Shortcut:  R

The Eyedropper Tool Identifies and Selects Objects in a Route

This tool uses the Assets Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to  Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.

When selected, the Eyedropper Tool has no drop down menu lists.

Quick Steps

With the Eyedropper Tool selected, move the mouse pointer (which will now be an eyedropper symbol) onto any object in view.

Notes: The object will be identified by its name appearing in a  ToolTip  below the mouse pointer (image shown left). Leave the mouse pointer in place for a few seconds and additional information about the object will be shown, its <kuid> code, Author and (if available) some of its description (image shown below left). Left click on the object to identify it in the Filter List. Notes: The type of object and its name will be automatically shown (highligted in grey) in the Asset Palette filters as shown in the image left. Left click on the object name in the Asset Filter List to select it (highlight in blue) and switch control to the Placement Tool

Narrowing the Search

Sometimes (or often) a scene will be too crowded with different scenery objects to be able to use the Eyedropper Tool to easily select a single object. In these cases additional options are available to help "remove the clutter".

At the top of the Assets Palette is a drop down box which controls how the Eyedropper Tool works with the filters that you set.

The drop down box will provide three options:- Filter List Filter Selection Filter Visibility

These options work with the Asset Filters to help narrow the search for a specific object or type of object that is in the route.

Filter List  this option will have no effect on the operation of the Eyedropper Tool or on the objects displayed on the screen. It is the default setting and any selections made with the eyedropper will be shown in the Assets Palette as described in the section Quick Steps above.  Filter Selection  this option will restrict the Eyedropper Tool to only working on those objects that are in the filtered list. Objects that are not in the filtered list cannot be selected and will not have their details (name, <kuid>, author) displayed on the screen.  Filter Visibility  this option will hide all objects that are not in the filtered list. The only exceptions are Ground Textures and Effect Layers which will be visible but, unless they are also in the filtered list, cannot be selected.

As an example the following images show the progressive application of a Visibility Filter.

		No filter has been applied. All the objects are visible on the Surveyor screen. ALL objects can be selected by the Eyedropper Tool
		The Visibility Filter option has been applied and the filtered list has been set to display only Scenery Splines. All objects except Scenery Splines, Ground Textures and Effect Layers are now hidden. Only Scenery Splines can be selected by the Eyedropper Tool.
		An additional filter has been applied. The word "fence" has been added to the search text box. All Scenery Splines that do not have the text "fence" in their names have now been hidden. Only the remaining visible Scenery Splines can be selected by the Eyedropper Tool.

The Free Move Tool

Keyboard Shortcut:  S

The Free Move Tool Moves Objects Around a Route

This tool uses the Tool Options Palette and the Info Palette (to display data only). If these palettes are not visible on the screen then refer to  Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.

When selected, the Free Move Tool has no drop down menu lists.

Free Move Alternatives In addition to the Free Move Tool the position and height of objects can be changed by:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 using the  Fine Adjustment Tool Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 editing its  X   Y   Z  values in  The Info Palette Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 selecting the  Apply Height  option in its Context Menu

For Scenery Mesh Objects

Individual "non-spline" scenery objects that are not attached to track are often referred to in Trainz terminology as Scenery Mesh Objects.

 Moving a Scenery Mesh Object 

To move a Scenery Mesh Object:- Select the Free Move Tool. Select (Left click on) the object. Use the mouse (Left button held down) to drag the object in any horizontal direction. When moving a scenery object, its height will be fixed to the terrain height.

 Set the Height for a Scenery Mesh Object 

When placed in a route by the Placement Tool a scenery object will take the height of the terrain as its set height. It will be fixed to the terrain so when you move it around it will always be at the same height as the terrain it is over.

This can be changed to fix the object to a set height above or below the terrain.

To set the height of a Scenery Mesh Object:- With the scenery object selected, enter a height value into the Tool Options  Height  text box Hit the  Enter  key The scenery object will now be fixed at the entered height above (or below) the terrain as it is moved around.

 Mesh Object Context Menu 

A selected scenery object, or a group of selected scenery objects, will have a Context Icon that opens a Context Menu. The icon design will vary between object types.

To open a selected objects Context menu either:- Left click the Context Icon, OR Press the  T  key

Mesh Object Context Menu

Cut  remove the selected object or objects and move them into the Scrapbook  Copy  copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook  Paste  paste the contents of the current Scrapbook  Delete  delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key  Replace Object with Selected Asset  the highlighted object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette  Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the highlighted object. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Size and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied  Smooth Ground Under Selected  changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match the height of the lowest object  Settle on Ground  sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth")  Apply Height  sets the height of the objects to the value in the Tool Options  Height  text box  Reset Object Rotation  resets the rotation angle of the objects to their default values  Randomise Object Rotation  applies a random rotation angle to each object  Select in Assets Palette  identifies the selected object in the Asset Palette like the Eyedropper Tool  Edit Properties  opens the Properties window of the selected object

For Track Objects

Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, etc) are always attached to an existing track. They can be moved to new positions along the track and in Surveyor Classic that was the limit of their movement.

Surveyor 2.0 brings a new freedom of movement to track objects. They can be moved away from the track to the left or right as well as above and below the track. The operation of a track object is not affected by these changes.

Throw Lever track object in its original position

To move a track object horizontally left or right of the track:- select the track object with the Free Move Tool drag the object left or right To move a track object vertically:- select the track object with the Free Move Tool enter a value in the Tool Options  Height  control and press the  Enter  key Situations where this feature is useful include:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 placing Track Marks and Triggers above or beside the track so that they are not hidden by consists parked on top of them Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 repositioning switches, signals, track signs closer to or further away from the track - particularly useful if the track object was originally created for a different gauge track

After being moved left with the Free Move Tool and up with the Height setting in the Tool Options Palette

The track object can still be moved along the track with the Free Move Tool.

Track objects can be restored to their original height and position (on the track) by opening their Context Menu and selecting:-  Reattach to Track  to cancel the both the height and position changes, OR  Settle on Ground  to cancel the height change only

Track objects can also be rotated to the opposite side of the track.

To rotate a track object:- Open the track objects Context Menu (click the icon or press the  T  key) Select the option  Rotate Trackside  Rotating a track object does not change its distance from the track or its height.

For Spline Objects (Including Track)

Scenery splines and track splines are defined by their endpoints. Splines are usually added to a route as a series of joined segments linked at the endpoints.

Moving a spline can involve moving:- an endpoint, OR a segment, OR multiple segments including the whole length of the spline

 Moving Spline Endpoints 

To move an individual spline endpoint:- Select the Free Move Tool. Select (Left click on) the spline endpoint to be moved. This will be shown as green meaning active. Inactive spline endpoints are shown as black. Use the mouse (Left button held down) to drag the spline endpoint in any horizontal direction. The spline endpoint will be fixed at its original height.

 Moving Spline Segments 

Splines are frequently made of multiple segments joined together. You can easily move a spline by moving its segments, individually or as a group.

Not all splines have endpoints at each ends. As shown in the image on the left, some splines will have an "endcap" that is attached to the start of the first segment and to the end of the last segment. The use of an endcap is a purely cosmetic effect - to give the spline a more distinctive appearance.

To move an individual segment or multiple segments:- Select the Free Move Tool. Select (Left click on) the spline segment to be moved - click anywhere between the two spline endpoints on the segment. The selected segment will be highlighted in green/yellow. The segment that you clicked will have a temporary endpoint inserted at the location where you clicked. This temporary endpoint is:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 where the Context Icon for the segment will be attached Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the location where a new permanent endpoint can be added from the segments Context Menu

IF you are going to select and move more than one spline segment, then:- hold the  Shift  key down and individually Left click between the endpoints on each additional segment. The last segment that you click will have the temporary endpoint added. To select ALL the segments in a spline, Dbl-Left click on a segment If the spline contains a junction then this will only select all the segments upto the junction point The segment that you double-clicked will have the temporary endpoint added

Use the mouse (Left button held down) to drag the selected segment(s) in any horizontal direction. If you had selected:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 only a single spline segment then only that segment will be moved and the adjacent segments that were not selected will have their shapes (but not their endpoints) adjusted Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 multiple spline segments then those segments will be moved and the adjacent segments that were not selected will also have their shapes adjusted Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 the entire spline then ALL the segments and endpoints will be moved

 Spline Object Context Menu 

Splines have two different Context Icons that lead to two slightly different Context Menus. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 one context icon and menu for each endpoint Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 one context icon and menu for the segment If multiple segments have been selected then the last segment added to the selection will have the context icons. If all the segments were selected by a Dbl-Click then the segment that was clicked will have the icons.

Left click on an icon to open its Context Menu.

Endpoint Context Menu   Segment Context Menu   Cut  remove the segment or segments and move them into the Scrapbook  Copy  copy the segment or segments and place them into the Scrapbook  Paste  paste the contents of the current Scrapbook  Delete  delete the segment, segments or endpoint. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key  Replace Spline with Selected Asset  the highlighted spline will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette  Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the highlighted spline segments. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Size and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied  Smooth Ground Under Selected  changes the height of the terrain under the segment or segments to match the set height of the spline (does not work on endpoints)  Settle on Ground  sets the height of the segment, segments or endpoint to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth"). When used on segments the spline will follow the height changes of the terrain  Apply Height (to this Spline Endpoint)  sets the height of the segment, segments or endpoint to the value in the Tool Options  Height  text box  Apply Grade to this Spline Endpoint  sets the height of the endpoint to give a Grade to the surrounding segments that matches the value in the Tool Options  Grade  text box  Straighten Spline  forces a straight line (as far as possible) between the endpoints of a single segment. This option will be ticked if the segment has already been straightened in which case selecting this option will "un-straighten" the segment and remove the tick  Separate Splines  breaks the spline into two separate splines at the endpoint  Merge Splines  removes the selected endpoint and merges the segments on both sides into one segment. The two segments can also be joined by selecting and deleting the endpoint with the  Delete  key  Insert Spline Point Here  inserts a new endpoint in a segment at the point where it was clicked. This will create a new segment at the endpoint  Select in Assets Palette  identifies the selected spline in the Asset Palette like the Eyedropper Tool  Edit Properties  opens the Properties window of the selected spline The Fine Adjustment Tool Keyboard Shortcut:  D  The Fine Adjustment Tool Makes Fine Detail Adjustments (Position, Rotation, Pitch, Yaw) to Objects in a Route When selected, the Fine Adjustment Tool has no drop down menu lists. Fine Adjustment Alternatives In addition to the Fine Adjustment Tool the position and height of objects can be changed by:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 using the  Free Move Tool Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 editing its  X   Y   Z   R   P   Y  values in  The Info Palette Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 selecting the  Apply Height  option in its Context Menu The most obvious feature of the Fine Adjustment Tool is the 3D Anchor Frame it adds to the selected object. The coloured lines, called  Anchors , allow manual positional and rotational controls:-  The Horizontal and Vertical Anchors   Red   Green   Blue  move the object (forward and back) in the direction of the Anchor  The Rotational Anchors   Red   Green   Blue  rotate the object (clockwise and anti-clockwise) along the Anchor To use the Fine Adjustment Tool controls:- move the mouse pointer onto an Anchor - its colour will change to white hold down the Left button drag the pointer along the chosen line in the direction required (e.g. Up or Down on the blue vertical Anchor) Notes: Not all objects will have  Red  and/or  Green  rotational Anchors. For Scenery Mesh Objects Individual "non-spline" scenery objects that are not attached to track are often referred to in Trainz terminology as  Scenery Mesh Objects . You can move the objects freely in the horizontal plane by using a Left "click and drag" anywhere on the selected object except on an Anchor. Scenery object after a  Blue  vertical Anchor movement   Scenery object after a  Green  Anchor rotation   Scenery object after a  Red  Anchor rotation   Scenery object after a  Blue  Anchor rotation Notes: Objects can be restored to their original height and rotation settings by opening their Context Menu and selecting either:-  Reset Object Rotation  to cancel the rotation changes, OR  Settle on Ground  to cancel the height change The  Randomise Object Rotation  option in the Context Menu only affects rotations around the vertical axis.  Selecting Multiple Objects  Multiple objects can be selected with the Fine Adjustment Tool. To select multiple objects:- Select the Fine Adjustment Tool or press the  D  key Hold the  Shift  key down Left click on each object that is to be included in the selection group Notes: The last object selected will have the 3D Anchor Frame and Context Icon attached to it. If that object limits the allowed Anchor rotations then that limitation will be applied to all the objects in the selection. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 If one of the objects in the group has movement restrictions then do not select it as the last object unless its restrictions are not an issue. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 To see if any objects have movement restrictions, Left click on each one in turn to check its 3D Anchor Frame. If an Anchor is not showing in the frame then there is a movement restriction. In the examples shown above, the car and the pole have no movement restrictions while the tree does not allow rotations through the  Red  and  Green  rotational Anchors. The car was the last selected object so it has the Context Icon and the 3D Anchor Frame. Using the  Blue  rotation Anchor, all the objects are rotated in the horizontal plane around the 3D Anchor Frame which is attached to the car, the last object that was selected. The 3D Anchor Frame on the car is the centre of all rotations. Restarting from their original positions and using the  Green  rotation Anchor, the car and pole objects are rotated through a horizontal plane which runs through the car. The tree does not move. Again restarting from their original positions and using the  Red  rotation Anchor , the car and pole objects are rotated through a horizontal plane which runs through the car. This time the tree does move but vertically upwards. It does not rotate like the car and the pole.  Mesh Object Context Menu   Cut  remove the selected object or objects and move them into the Scrapbook  Copy  copy the selected object or objects and place them into the Scrapbook  Paste  paste the contents of the current Scrapbook  Delete  delete the selected objects. It has the same effect as pressing the  Delete  key  Replace Object with Selected Asset  the highlighted object will be replaced with the asset currently selected in the Assets Palette  Paint Under Selected  the texture selected in the Assets Palette will be painted under the highlighted object. The Tool Options for the Brush Tool (Size and Sensitivity) will control how the texture is applied  Smooth Ground Under Selected  changes the height of the terrain under the object to match the set height of the object. If multiple objects at different heights have been selected then the terrain height will be set to match the height of the lowest object  Settle on Ground  sets the height of the objects to match the height of the terrain beneath them ("drops them back to earth")  Apply Height  sets the height of the objects to the value in the Tool Options  Height  text box  Reset Object Rotation  resets the rotation angle of the objects to their default values  Randomise Object Rotation  applies a random rotation angle to each object  Select in Assets Palette  identifies the selected object in the Asset Palette like the Eyedropper Tool  Edit Properties  opens the Properties window of the selected object For Track Objects Track Objects (signals, switches, speed signs, etc) are always attached to an existing track. They can be moved to new positions along the track and in Surveyor Classic that was the limit of their movement. Surveyor 2.0 brings a new freedom of movement to track objects. They can be moved away from the track to the left or right as well as above and below the track. The operation of a track object is not affected by these changes. Situations where this feature is useful include:- Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 placing Track Marks and Triggers above or beside the track so that they are not hidden by consists parked on top of them Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 repositioning switches, signals, track signs closer to or further away from the track - particularly useful if the track object was originally created for a different gauge track Track objects can be restored to their original height and position (on the track) by opening their Context Menu and selecting:-  Reattach to Track  to cancel the both the height and position changes, OR  Settle on Ground  to cancel the height change only Track objects can also be rotated to the opposite side of the track. Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 To rotate a track object:- Open the track objects Context Menu (click the icon or press the  T  key) Select the option  Rotate Trackside  Rotating a track object does not change its distance from the track. For Spline Objects (Including Track) Scenery splines and track splines are defined by their endpoints. Splines are usually added to a route as a series of joined segments linked at the endpoints. Moving a spline can involve moving:- an endpoint, OR a segment, OR multiple segments including the whole length of the spline  Moving Spline Endpoints  To move an individual spline endpoint:- Select the Fine Adjustment Tool. Select, Left click on, the spline endpoint to be moved. Note: only the horizontal  Red  and  Green  and the vertical  Blue  lines can be selected. "Left Click and Drag" either:- an Anchor to move the endpoint in that specific direction, OR the endpoint itself to move it in any direction in the horizontal plane  Moving Spline Segments  Notes:   The  Green  rotational Anchor CANNOT be used on Track splines To move spline segments:- Select the Fine Adjustment Tool. Select, Left click on, the spline segment to be moved. "Left Click and Drag" either:-   an Anchor to move the endpoint in that specific direction, OR anywhere in a segment to move it in any direction in the horizontal plane To select:- more than one segment. Hold the  Shift  key down and individually Left click on each segment ALL the segments. Dbl-Left click on a segment. If the spline contains a junction then this will only select all the segments upto the junction point Selecting a spline segment with the Fine Adjustment Tool will add a Temporary Endpoint at the point where the segment was clicked. This will produce 3 Fine Adjustment Tool control frames, one at each end of the segment and one at the click point, as shown in the image on the left. The whole segment can be moved, as shown in the following images, by a Left Click and Drag anywhere within the segment. Segment moved to the right along the  Red  line Segment moved up along the  Blue  line Segment rotated anti-clockwise around the  Blue  Anchor Segment rotated clockwise the  Red  Anchor

Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 a  Blue  line height change and a  Red  Anchor rotation can be cancelled at any time (even after saving and reloading the route) by selecting the  Settle on Ground  option from the segments Context Menu Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127 a  Blue  Anchor rotation can be straightened at any time (even after saving and reloading the route) by selecting the  Straighten Spline  option from the segments Context Menu but this will not return the endpoints to their original positions

The Marquee Tool

Keyboard Shortcut:  F

The Marquee Tool Selects Areas of a Route

This tool uses the Scrapbook Palette. If this palette is not visible on the screen then refer to  Notes: Palettes at the top of this document.

The Marquee Tool draws out a rectangular area on the route. Any objects (including Textures and Effect Layers) that are in the area or touched by the boundary of the Marquee area will be selected.

In the image above:-
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	a road spline at the bottom of the area has been overlain by the Marquee rectangle so it has been included in the selection.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	the rectangle area was drawn from the top left to the bottom right which places the Marquee Context Icon at the bottom right of the rectangle.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	the bottom right of the rectangle also has a 3D Anchor Frame similar to the one used by the Fine Adjustment Tool.
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	The road spline was the last object that was included in the selection area so its Context Icons are also present.

Not clearly shown in the image, because they are not highlighted, is that the Ground Textures and any Effect Layers inside the rectangle are also included in the Marquee selection.

This section is still under construction

The Info Palette

This palette can be easily overlooked but it has some very useful features.

Its uses are:-
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	to display precise data on the "focus" - the position of the cursor
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	to display precise data on the position and attitude of a selected object
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	to allow precise control over the position and attitude of a selected object (i.e. it can be used instead of the Free Move Tool and the Fine Adjustment Tool)
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	to change the "home" layer and binding layer of a selected object
Error creating thumbnail: /bin/bash: line 1: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127	to lock and unlock layers

This section is still under construction

Notes: For a selected (highlighted) object the following mappings apply regardless of an objects rotation in the horizontal plane:- the  X  axis is the North-South compass direction the  Y  axis is the East-West compass direction For a selected (highlighted) object the following mapping applies in relation to how it has been rotated through the vertical plane:- the  Z  axis is the Up-Down direction

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Trainz Wiki

More Tutorials and Guides to Using Trainz How to Guides Driver Commands List Session Rules List (Alphabetical) with Parameters Session Rules List (Categories) With Parameters

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This page was created by Trainz user pware in January 2023 and was last updated as shown below.

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