Templot Club Archive 2007-2020                             

topic: 3349Trackbuilding File Formats
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posted: 26 Oct 2018 13:39

from:

Steve Lovett
 
Milton Keynes - United Kingdom

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Simply......... has anyone experimented with export file formats in anticipation of trackbuilding using exactoscale products?
If so which export file format is best suited?
Cheers

Steve

posted: 26 Oct 2018 14:28

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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Steve Lovett wrote:
Simply......... has anyone experimented with export file formats in anticipation of trackbuilding using exactoscale products? If so which export file format is best suited?
Hi Steve,

Can you explain a bit more what you are asking?

As far as I know Exactoscale do not supply any computer software, so the question of compatible file formats does not apply.

Users of Exactoscale track products usually need a printed track template on which to build them. Exactoscale supply a limited range of straight templates in P4 only, but for other gauges, curved turnouts and complex formations many users print a template from Templot instead.

You can print directly from Templot if you have a printer connected to your system. A track plan would typically comprise several pages, which are printed with alignment and trim marks.

Alternatively you can export a PDF file from Templot which can then be printed on any system. More specifically, you can export a PDF track plan as a single page several feet long, which can be taken or sent to a digital copyshop and printed in one piece on a wide-format roll-paper printer.

You can do the same thing with exported DXF files from Templot for a CAD printshop dealing with engineering drawings.

cheers,

Martin.

posted: 26 Oct 2018 15:49

from:

Steve Lovett
 
Milton Keynes - United Kingdom

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Cheers Martin

I shouldn't have mentioned Exactoscale as that seems to have confused matters; apologies.

Simply with the Templot track plan I have developed is there a specific (best) file format to use when printing; i.e. pdf or printing directly from the .box file?

posted: 26 Oct 2018 16:03

from:

Steve Lovett
 
Milton Keynes - United Kingdom

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Martin,

Please ignore the last post as clearly the answer was in your reply (i.e. pdf).

Steve

posted: 26 Oct 2018 19:21

from:

Martin Wynne
 
West Of The Severn - United Kingdom

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Steve Lovett wrote:
Simply with the Templot track plan I have developed is there a specific (best) file format to use when printing; i.e. pdf or printing directly from the .box file?
Hi Steve,

There isn't a "best" format, it depends what you are trying to do (and are happy to pay for).

If you print directly from Templot:

1. you must have Templot running on the system, and a connected printer (preferably inkjet rather than laser, for accuracy).

2. Templot can calibrate the printer, for maximum accuracy in the printed dimensions.

3. you are limited to the printer paper size, usually A3 or A4 sheets, which must then be trimmed and aligned with each other to make a complete track plan.

4. you can print as many additional copies of each template as you need. This can be helpful in cutting timbers to length, making bends in rails, setting the angle of vees, checking rail alignments, etc.

The majority of Templot users work that way. Templot is intended to be a tool for use in your workshop.

If you export a PDF file:

1. you can print it on any system without needing Templot.

2. scaling for accuracy must be done on the destination system/printer, Templot can't perform any calibration in the file (because it doesn't know anything about where the file will be printed).

3. there is no practical limit on paper size. Roll-paper printers at digital copyshops go up to 42" / 1067mm wide and can print up to at least 12ft / 4m long (using Adobe PDF readers) or much longer up to 30ft / 10m or more (using other PDF readers). Which means your track plan can probably be printed in one piece.

4. but a single large sheet can be difficult to handle, and is inconvenient to build track on. If you need multiple copies, it is going to cost.

A large club layout would typically use both. A single roll-paper track plan print to lay out on the baseboards for discussion and scenic planning. Then printing each template individually for the actual track construction on the bench.

cheers,

Martin.



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