Confusion with New Track / Last Track when Using Trigger

[hmclay]

When entering a track I'm using Iteration to check the engines KEYWORD ... depending on response, I trigger a Turnout position.

Using trigger as the Track/Contact to analyze ...  LAST or NEW track appears as options.

Using this I seem to get incosistant results, so I have started just using the Object option and specify  the same track that started the event.

Need explanation of LAST vs NEW Track usage please.

 

[Goetz]

hello hmclay,

case 1:
In the event that a train enters a track, the rear end of the train is probably neither on the new, nor the last track piece

 

case 2:
In the event that a train leaves a track, the front end (i.e. the engine) is probably neither on the last, nor the new track

My assumption is that this is the cause of your confusion.

Kind regards
Goetz

Edited August 6 by Goetz
labels improved

[Goetz]

vor 3 Stunden schrieb hmclay:

When entering a track I'm using Iteration to check the engines KEYWORD

There should be no need to iterate over the entire train.

The active train engine is always your triggering vehicle, regardless if it happens to be on the old, the new or any other track piece.
Checking the keyword in the triggering vehicle will always give you the information you require.

Please note that when the train enters the switch point, it may be to late to switch directions.
You need to do that before entering the switch itself, e.g. upon entering the last track before the actual switch.

kind regards
Goetz

[simonjackson1964]

May I suggest using track contacts? These have "enter", "centre" and "leave" triggers, and can be located wherever you need them. Using a keyword to identify the contact is probably the easiest way to select them.

Just my 2p worth

[hmclay]

Thanks to all for the info .... 

I'mjust now starting to probe the use of extended variables. Goetz sir, guess I overlooked the use of extended variable you pointed out, and how to use it. I get really confused in all the "options" and their usage of when and where.

simonjackson196 ... thanks also for your input ... never thought of using a contact keyword. 

There is a lot of capability in this program ... consequently a lot to learn. 

In the heat of battle trying to come up with a strategy with seemingly many choices to chose from ... one can become overwhelmed.

Thanks much for your insight !

But I'm still unclear about Last vs New ... what would "Last" be used for ... the previous track that the train just vacated ? I presume NEW is the track just encountered ! Your explanation is helpful ... will need to experiment how and when to use LAST vs NEW

Edited August 6 by hmclay
Miss the First post of Goetz

[Phrontistes]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb hmclay:

But I'm still unclear about Last vs New ... what would "Last" be used for ... the previous track that the train just vacated ? I presume NEW is the track just encountered !

Maybe this example will help you to further understand.

Last vs new track.mbp

vor 5 Stunden schrieb simonjackson1964:

May I suggest using track contacts? These have "enter", "centre" and "leave" triggers, and can be located wherever you need them.

I agree with the suggestion. Point-shaped track contacts are easier to handle than tracks that have a certain length.

[simonjackson1964]

One of the things "last" can be used for, is when a light locomotive is heading into a run-around. The locomotive leaves a track that happens to be the turnout at the start of the head shunt. Delay the action by half a second and stop the loco. Then change the setting of the "last" track. Delay another half second and start the loco moving in the opposite direction....

That's just an example of how "Last Track" might be useful. Personally, I stopped using that method when V5 came out with track contacts. You can achieve the same thing with a track contact placed part way down the head shunt, and actually use a route to set the full length of the run-around along with any signals involved.

[hmclay]

thanks simonjackson196 .... guess I have mainly used contacts also. I have contacts galore .... thought that was using them in excess ... but I better understand their function.

I am having mixed success with routes though .... however that is another topic !

Phrontistes , thanks for the example ... just now downloaded and will examine  !!!!

[simonjackson1964]

10 hours ago, hmclay said:

I have contacts galore .... thought that was using them in excess

Here's a hint: you can put as many keywords on one contact as you like - and remember that all signals have an attached track contact.  So you can have a single track contact do multiple functions depending on the existence of a keyword on a loco, or the value of a variable on the loco.

I've found that there are two competing options for successful operation of a layout: you can have a huge EV with lots of duplicate events, or you can have a lot of keywords and variables all over the place, and make use of the "trigger" variable a lot in the events, and make your EV a lot smaller by having generic events that will control anything depending on the settings of certain variables or properties.

Personally, I like the smaller EV. It's a lot of work up front to put the controls in place on the objects that need them, but a lot less coding!

[Phrontistes]

vor einer Stunde schrieb simonjackson1964:

a lot less coding

And if you later discover that the code does not cover a situation comprehensively, then you only have to change it in one central place.

[hmclay]

Thanks again simonjackson and Phrontistes .... I like that approach to using contacts . Hit home run with me. I constantly struggle with "where is that routine " for such an such  function. I'll be working on the "one central place" idea using keywords and variables  (something I have just started to use ).

Thanks again !

Now I have to work on trying to transfer Trains 3D to a new computer ... my 10+ year old "All-in-One" computer was running at 6-10 FPS ... on low graphics settings. Looking forward to better presentations without the studdering train movement.

[simonjackson1964]

Upload the layout you're working on as a draft, Make a note of te upload ID, Log in to the site using your new computer and down;load the version you own. I think it asks for your ID and password again, it's been a while since my last computer change. Then down load your draft layout using the ID you previously noted.

I may have forgotten a step or two. If you want to transfer more than one layout, I think you might be able to upload more drafts from the old computer and download them to the new one. Unfortunately my old computer died before I could upload anything from it!

[Phrontistes]

vor 4 Stunden schrieb hmclay:

Now I have to work on trying to transfer Trains 3D to a new computer

Do you use the 8.5+ Version? Then you can transfer your complete database by online backup / restore

Otherwise by backup to file / restore form file.

 

[hmclay]

Phrontistes , thank you very much ... that will save me a lot of work