Templot Club Archive 2007-2020
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posted: 14 Mar 2014 19:13 from: Martin Wynne
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Decauville1126 wrote (at topic 2423 ):Once I've got the hang of how to store the individual pieces I'll hopefully be able have a go at joining them up to form a mini-layout.Hi Peter, Joining individual pieces is not the best way to use Templot. You can do it that way of course, and sometimes it is the only way to get exactly what you want. But generally it is better to define the running lines first and then insert the pointwork into them. Have a look at this video -- you will see that nowhere are two pre-made pieces joined together: http://www.templot.com/martweb/videos/flash/starter/em_starter.html p.s. note that the video is a bit out of date -- the swell function is now on CTRL+F10 shortcut, see: http://templot.com/companion/index.html?swell_function_ctrl_f10.htm regards, Martin. |
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posted: 14 Mar 2014 19:54 from: Paul Willis click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
Hi Martin, We are back to that issue that we chatted about at Warley. The first thing that a new Templot user sees is a turnout... This line of thinking is hardly surprising. Cheers Paul |
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posted: 14 Mar 2014 20:11 from: Martin Wynne
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Paul Willis wrote: We are back to that issue that we chatted about at Warley.Hi Paul, Yes, I haven't forgotten.  We haven't had a program update since then, but the next one will start up like this: 2_141505_050000000.png  Of course, changing that is a 2-minute task in the code. But changing this and all the rest of it is a day's work: http://templot.com/companion/index.html?gs_firstoff.htm#first_time_trackpad regards, Martin. |
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posted: 14 Mar 2014 21:20 from: Paul Willis click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
Cheers Martin! Completely understood how large the downstream consequences are, and I hope that it helps you gain a little more peace in the long run... | ||
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posted: 14 Mar 2014 21:23 from: Alan Turner
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And now the poor beginner is going to be even more disadvantaged. At least when you showed a turnout the beginner could play about with it. Now to get anywhere they are going to have to understand the actions of F3 and F4. You think you get complaints now just wait until they have to deal with that change. regards Alan |
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posted: 15 Mar 2014 13:46 from: Martin Wynne
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Alan Turner wrote: And now the poor beginner is going to be even more disadvantaged. At least when you showed a turnout the beginner could play about with it. Now to get anywhere they are going to have to understand the actions of F3 and F4.Hi Alan, Maybe, but you can't please everyone.  And beginners do need to know about F4 at least. I think Paul made a valid point. It's not surprising beginners confuse Templot with just another of the pick-and-place track design programs, if it starts off looking like one by displaying a single turnout. Whereas if it starts off showing a turnout inserted in a length of track, the difference from all the other programs is immediately obvious. Anyone who wants to print individual turnout construction templates can very quickly do that by clicking the NEW button: 2_150816_210000000.png  Starting from here, if beginners explore the functions on the beginner buttons they would soon grasp the basics of Templot track design. A good start would be roam (CTRL+F9), because it is not affected by the position of the fixing peg. Followed by F5 and F6. Then perhaps the F/T and L/R buttons to try facing/trailing and changing the hand. Followed maybe by tools > make branch track, and then template > insert turnout in plain track, and start again. For years I have been saying that beginners should start by learning about switches and crossings, and printing out construction templates. But the evidence is that many would prefer to start with layout planning, having arrived here after seeing Templot track plans displayed on forums and web sites. So I think Paul's comment has some merit, and it is worth giving this a try. If it creates howls of anguish and confusion, we can think again. regards, Martin. |
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posted: 15 Mar 2014 14:17 from: Martin Wynne
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Martin Wynne wrote:But the evidence is that many would prefer to start with layout planning, having arrived here after seeing Templot track plans displayed on forums and web sites. And right on cue as I wrote that, this appeared elsewhere: http://www.scalefour.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=30876#p30876 Martin. |
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posted: 26 Mar 2014 14:31 from: Andy Vines
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I think the turnout in a length of track makes more sense as a starting point even for beginners, it was once I had discovered the insert turnout into plain track function that Templot clicked. I think the biggest problem is getting potential users to actually understand what Templot is for as even though there is loads of information on this forum explaining it, some just refuse to read instructions, but these are the users you can do without. |
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posted: 27 Mar 2014 18:33 from: Martin Wynne
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Andy Vines wrote: I think the turnout in a length of track makes more sense as a starting point even for beginners, it was once I had discovered the insert turnout into plain track function that Templot clicked.Thanks Andy. I have now implemented this. Unfortunately it has created yet another user option: 2_271323_180000000.png  which is on by default. Otherwise the benefit of seeing a turnout in a full length template would be lost as soon as the new user sets his required gauge/scale. Unticking this option reverts to the previous mint new behaviour when changing gauge/scale. (The match original function retains the scale length in any event.) regards, Martin. |
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posted: 28 Mar 2014 10:24 from: Les G click the date to link to this post click member name to view archived images |
Martin, It is a while since I visited Templot Club, due to other imperatives; where does all the time go? Few would deny that layout planning is a vital part of railway modelling, and the set track methods are so limited and ultimately, frustrating. When first rriving at Templot, there was a strong feeling of knowing roughly what I wanted to create, but without enough understanding to achieve it. Management of my copious notes soon became a problem in itself. Other distractions mean that Templot has had to be put aside for long periods. Returning, the learning curve starts again. You are right about the need for the modeller to understand about switches and the engineering detail. I think that the problem for many, is that they start with no clear understanding of the magnitude of the task that they are taking on when they decide to design a scale model of their railway of choice. Being able to be guided through the layout design capability of Templot can help with the modeller's understanding of the limitations of their available space at an early stage. I think you are right to offer this "more of a study guide" approach to learning Templot. If it were also to be oriented about a generic station formation plan, it could be used to provide a visual "contents" with click links to connect to existing material in the companion. It seems to me that most of this idea exists already in the tutorial pieces you have so ably provided over the years. I suspect you have already thought of this. BTW I suspect Alan was teasing  regards, Les G |
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