Using the Gradient tool in Route building....

[Li]

Hi All,

I'm hoping someone who knows their way around the route building can help me out here, I'm, trying to build a route and all is going well so far, however I'm having trouble in being able to get the correct gradients in place.

There's a section in the line that needs to be a climb of 1 in 267. So I go to the gradient editor and set it to the above. But when I lay the track it sets itself to what seems like a 1 in 1 which is no use at all and looks like Shap Summit 3.0! ;-)

Have I not set something up correctly? - I have tried doing it manually using the yellow arrows, but that's not very reliable and causes me a lot of problems!

Thanks all in advance

Li.

[stryx]

De-select the "snap to terrain" button, which over-rides the selected gradient.

[Li]

Originally posted by stryx:

De-select the "snap to terrain" button, which over-rides the selected gradient.

Hi Stryx,

Yes I've de-selected that tool, and it does create a gradient of sort, however always at the 1 in 1, or similar, meaning it creates an almost full horizontal, pointing directly up, whatever gradient I set it too.

I hope that makes sense?

[stryx]

decimal point in right place?

[Li]

Originally posted by stryx:

decimal point in right place?

I believe so yeah

[Glenn]

What track are you using, and have you changed the track rules? This has happened to me in the past. I created my own track & track rules, but while experimenting I created 2 different track rules - 1 that used 1 in X and the other used %X for gradient . When I accidently mixed the 2 different rules in game, what you describe happened. If that does not help you then we will need a rethink.

[Growler]

I'm assuming you're building a UK route (with existing UK route template).

Have you have typed in 257 into the gradient box? For UK & EU routes, the route template gradient units are metres not decimals (as per US routes).

With gradient snap tool off, and 257 typed into the incline setting box in the track editor, it should give you exactly the grade you want. Type in -257 for a decline. Good luck!

[Glenn]

Incidently, when using the gradient tool, it can have some very unpredictable results, and even worse if you try using the 'Undo' function. It is best used over short sections only - say a couple of hundred yards. I used it once over a longer distance, was not happy with the result so used the Undo function, and suddenly approximately 8 or 9 miles of track was raised about 30 meters up in the air - took ages to re-lay it all!

[Growler]

Originally posted by Glenn:

Incidently, when using the gradient tool, it can have some very unpredictable results, and even worse if you try using the 'Undo' function. It is best used over short sections only - say a couple of hundred yards. I used it once over a longer distance, was not happy with the result so used the Undo function, and suddenly approximately 8 or 9 miles of track was raised about 30 meters up in the air - took ages to re-lay it all!

The gradient tool itself (with yellow vertical arrows) is something I try to avoid at all times if I possibly can. Often seems to cause far more harm than good. Therefore just use it for the very smallest tweaks (i.e. awkward fitting track joins). I just hate the way one mistake with the tool and before you know it you have 50 adjustment arrows! Why on earth they didn't allow an undo (last placement of arrows) for the tool heaven only knows. IMO definitely one of the biggest flaws of the editor. Having to kill the game (via Task Manager) to avoid having to save such a disaster, is just plain silly!

[Glenn]

Couldnt agree more!

[Li]

Thank you everyone who has given suggestions and advice!

I seem to have now got it to work correctly, and it may have been as someone above pointed out to do with Track Rules.

All good now, I'll shout if I need you all again!

Li.

[Li]

I also agree RE Yellow points.

There a nightmare!

[Glenn]

Now this is what I - and others - like to see: The OP comming back to say Thankyou. It's a sad fact these days that so many just can't be bothered to do such a simple thing like that.

You are very welcome Li, plenty of people here in the forum ready to help.