220hotwheels

Hi Tom Many thanks again for your advice. I have now downloaded and purchased the full version of V5 but have not had chance to look at it in any great detail. After doing so I will probably continue with V5 only using V4 for possible experiments, therefore any recommendations you can let me have to simplify my various operations will be greatly appreciated. As you will see I have only really touched the surface of event control and many of the aspects of my work so far need to be tweaked but then that's part of the enjoyment. If you got everything right straight away where is the fun in that! The bus operation is currently only partly worked out as I was hopeful that through the forum I might be able to produce a more professional system. Anyway I will be interested in your views. The relevant file is attached. Chers Pete 220hotwheels Fairmont layout.mbp

Hi Tom Let me get this straight then. V5 is the beta version. Do I simply click on the section for auto update to beta version to get the trial of V5 and by doing so do I affect my current layout in V4 or can I run both simultaneously. Also for the future will my V4 layout transfer to V5 once it has passed it's trial stage and I have upgraded or would I need to start all over with my current V4 layout. My present layout has thousands of items so far and I have really only just started. Admittedly much of my work now is fine tuning and finishing the scenery, as much of it is just "placed" roughly at present, but that will be at least another 500 hours work followed no doubt by much change as my experience and knowledge grows. I haven't had so much fun since starting my own businesses 45 years ago. Computers then were almost wind up toys. Are you suggesting that I export my main V4 layout as is for you to look over and offer your advice or just my test track layout, which I will complete later today. Cheers Pete

Hi Tom Thanks for your reply and the offer to take a look at my test track. The first attempt was a bit of a disaster so I am starting a new one but it did at least give me some thoughts for my main layout which is V4. Despite everyone's advice I am still at a loss as to how to use variables. No doubt in the fullness of time it will come to me so all of my "Events" are quite basic using either track or road sections to control events. My challenge at present is to get 4 buses operating between a bus station and ferry terminal. The basic instructions are not so difficult but the challenge lies in getting everything to gel with the trains. The big challenge is at a level crossing with 4 tracks used by 16 different trains all crossing at various times. So far I have applied the principal of stop each bus at a bus stop just before the crossing and then at the appropriate moment, when the last carriage of a train has passed and triggered the crossing gates to open that will start the coach from the bus stop. Whilst this set of events is still in it's infancy I realise there is much still to learn to ensure a smooth flow for each bus but given time I will sort it in much the same way I have with the various boats that operate on my lake that are tied to the bascule bridge operation. No doubt variables would make for a simpler events control which is why I posted my question on the forum, the medium of which I am a complete novice too so I hope all will bear with me if I seem a bit slow to understand some of the finer points of it's use. Over the next few days I will set up another test track and then attempt to export it, once I have found out how to do so!!!. I suppose I could always send my main layout this way but am a bit loath to embarrass my self with all you knowledgeable guys. Thanks once again for all your advice and offer to assist me. Cheers Pete

Hi Guys Many thanks for your advice. I'll try to sort my problem out using as much of your recommendations as I can follow. Thanks once again Cheers Pete

Thanks for the advice offered to my problem. Perhaps I am just being a bit thick and overlooking the obvious but having set up a test track oval with both road and rail I am still unable to figure out how to incorporate variables into my events. I have tried numerous alternatives but none seem to work. At the moment the only way I can get crossing barriers to function is by setting each train to trigger the animation when it is located on a particular track. I have set a variable of +1 to close and -1 to open in the variables list for the one crossing that I am using on the test track and tried alternative setting in both the event, condition and action sections however nothing seems to work so I am clearly not getting that part right. I think I need a more detailed bit of guidance to sort this please. I suppose it's a bit like flying really. The principal is pretty straight forward but to fly a modern jet needs a bit more guidance than it does for a single engine gypsy moth. thanks Pete

Hi I am relatively new to this type of 3D modelling and have so far sorted much that I needed through reading the manual translation and much trial and error. One thing that is so far eluding me is how to create events that will allow road vehicles to stop at traffic lights and barriers when necessary and then to restart once the barriers go up or the lights change. Getting the trains to open and close the barriers is pretty straight forward but I am finding it really difficult to get to grips with the English translation that I assume might point me in the direction of how to solve the above problem. Any tips that would start me off on this process would be greatly appreciated. I now realise that I have perhaps been a little too ambitious in terms of 1st layout size, 12000 x 5000 'N' gauge, having now put in around 450 hours of most enjoyable computer time with at least the same amount of time still required to complete this layout but I do not regret one second. A day without learning is a day lost but sometimes you just need a bit of help to move your learning curve up a notch. Many thanks in anticipation of some assistance. Pete