===== Into the Hills=====
//The majority of this text comes from the Help File embedded in the XTrackCAD program. My thanks to whomever contributed to it.)//

======**The Elevation Command**======
The **Elevation** command changes the elevation of track endpoints.

After opening this dialog, either by clicking the Elevation Icon in the Toolbar {{image alt="The Elevation Icon in the Toolbar" title="The Elevation Icon in the Toolbar" url="images/Elevations/elevation-icon.jpg"}} or selecting the menu item from the **//Right-Click Menu//**,
{{image alt="The menu item from the Right-Click Menu" title=" The menu item from the Right-Click Menu" url="images/Elevations/elevation-right-click-menu.jpg"}}
you can click on the respective endpoint to set its elevation properties.

=====Elevation types =====
An endpoint can have one of several elevation types:

**None** - no elevation defined
{{image alt="Type is None - no elevation defined" title="Type is None - no elevation defined" url="images/Elevations/Clipboard-28.jpg"}}
//**Note:** The endpoint on which you work is indicated with a big red dot.//

**Defined** - a defined elevation at a specified height.
{{image alt="Type is Defined - a defined elevation at a specified height" title="Type is Defined - a defined elevation at a specified height" url="images/Elevations/Clipboard-29.jpg"}}
Click on the dot-point next to the item 'Define', you will see the present Elevation show up next to that end-point. Enter into the vale box next to the word Define just what the value is that you wish to set.
**Note:** If your preference is set to **//Metric//** present versions of XTrackCAD will use Centimetres for these values even though you are working in Millimetres. If you are set to **//English //**then the values will be displayed correctly. Throughout this Tutorial I have worked in Metric.

**Hidden** - a defined elevation but not displayed on the layout shows as
{{image alt="Type is Hidden" title="Type is Hidden" url="images/Elevations/Clipboard-30.jpg"}} {{image alt="Type is Hidden" title="Type is Hidden" url="images/Elevations/Clipboard-31.jpg"}}

**Computed** - height is based on height of closest neighbors.
{{image alt="Type is Computed - height is based on height of closest neighbors. " title="Type is Computed" url="images/Elevations/Clipboard-32.jpg"}}

**Grade** - grade is based on height of closest neighbors, shown as a percentage.
{{image alt="Type is Grade - grade is based on height of closest neighbors, shown as a percentage." title="Type is Grade" url="images/Elevations/Clipboard-33.jpg"}}
In addition, Grade labels have an arrow indicating the upwards direction.

**Ignored **- endpoint is not considered in computations.
Not sure why you would use this option.

**Station **- assigns a name to the endpoint.
{{image alt="Type is Station - assigns a name to the endpoint" title="Type is Station" url="images/Elevations/Clipboard-34.jpg"}}
When you select the **Station **option a text box opens up for you to type in the name of that location, it might be a Station name, it might be a generic title for a curve or a gully. It might be used to designate a particular piece of track or structure nearby.

**Note:** Only **one **of these attributes can be assigned to an endpoint. For example, an endpoint can not be defined as a Grade and a Station at the same time.

=====More information=====
When an endpoint is selected on the layout by **//Left-Click//**, it is highlighted by a large red dot and its elevation type and values are displayed in the dialog.
Additionally, **Defined Elevation** endpoints are indicated on the layout by gold colored dots. Ignored Elevation endpoints are indicated by blue colored dots.

**//Shift+Left-Click//** splits the track at the specified point and adds an elevation point. This action ONLY works when in the Elevation Mode.

The Grade at the specified endpoint is displayed next to the **Grade **radio button. For **Defined Elevation** endpoints, the grade on each side of the endpoint is displayed.

**Defined Elevation** endpoints are used to specify fixed heights of track endpoints. Typically, this would be where a grade changes or where clearances must be maintained. **Computed Elevations** and **Grade** markers can be placed between **Defined Elevation** endpoints. These values are not entered directly but are computed dynamically based on **Defined Elevations** of connected tracks. This allows labelling of elevations at intermediate endpoints without having the enter specific values. **Computed** markers can also placed between a **Defined Elevation** point and the end of a track.

All Elevation labels (including **Grade** and **Station**) are drawn on the layout in outlined boxes.

These may be moved by the **//Move Description//** command //(see below for the exception)// . Select the {{image alt="" title="" url="images/Elevations/Clipboard-26.jpg"}} **Move Description** Icon from the Toolbar or select the command from the **//Right-Click//** menu.
{{image alt="" title="" url="images/Elevations/Clipboard-25.jpg"}}
Once you have selected **//Move Descriptions//**, then hover the cursor over the values or grade boxes you wish to move, //Click and Drag// them to where you want them to show. generally this is to clear the **Elevation **values away from mid-track which is where they are placed by default.
For clarity all values displayed in this Tutorial have been moved before taking a screenshot of the item.

=====Examples:=====

In this Example we have a Branch Line that will rise around a mountain to form a timber siding.
{{image alt="Branch Line image for Tutorial" title="Branch Line image for Tutorial" url="images/Elevations/01-start.jpg"}}

After applying the Elevations and Labels our Branch Line diagram shows the End-point Elevation information. This image shows the diagram after using the **//Move Descriptions**// command to shift all the values and labels away from their default mid-track position.
{{image alt="Branch Line now shows End-point Elevations" title="Branch Line now shows End-point Elevations" url="images/Elevations/02-elevations_1.jpg"}}

Another option is to choose to display the Track Elevations. From the toolbar menu select //**Display**// then at the boxes headed **Label Enable** click on the box alongside //End Pt Elevations// to turn that option off and click on the box for //Track Elevations// to show that option.
{{image alt="Branch Line now shows Track Elevations" title="Branch Line now shows Track Elevations" url="images/Elevations/03-track-elevations_1.jpg"}}
**Note:** Track Elevation values are not able to be moved using the **//Move Descriptions//** command.


In case you were wondering the **//Station//** labels are also used to provide information for the **//Profile//**command. The **Profile **Command will be described in a future tutorial.



[[RunningTrain Next Page]]

[[AddSpurs Previous Page]]

[[BeginnerTutorial Tutorial Index]]

----
CategoryUser
----