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This document is a tutorial on how to create structures using the graphics tools using XTrkCad. The methods described here are not a comprehensive list. However as a starting point, these methods should help you to become creative in your use of the graphics tools in XTrkCad. Whether you want to design very accurate and detailed structures or just approximations of their basic footprint, the main purpose of structures on your XTrkCad layout is for alignment against track and other structures. By creating the various industrial buildings, rural and urban structures, vehicles, and roadways, you will be assured there is sufficient room for these features and they will be properly aligned to your scale.
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Edited on 2007-11-12 22:34:09 by OulimOnrol (unregistered user)Additions:
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==Categories==
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>>Download printable version [[http://sourceforge.net/project/showfiles.php?group_id=151737&package_id=232282 tutorial.pdf]]
You will need Acrobat Reader to view and print this document.
>>
You will need Acrobat Reader to view and print this document.
>>
Revision [172]
Edited on 2007-05-16 23:04:37 by MartinFischerAdditions:
Go to < 1 [[StructureTutorial1 2]] [[StructureTutorial2 3 ]] [[StructureTutorial1 >]]
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< 1 [[StructureTutorial1 2]] [[StructureTutorial2 3 ]] [[StructureTutorial1 >]]
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The first step in creating a new structure is to open up a new workspace. Click on File/New. Now zoom in to the maximum display size and use the map to place the (0, 0) coordinate in the lower left corner. You should now have an enlarged image of the workspace with a scale in inches along the x and y axes. We will use these scales to layout the basic footprint with the proper dimensions of the Two-Story Factory. There are two methods for creating structures. A simple line drawing will suffice if all we want is a basic footprint with only a little detail. The second option is to use the "filled" tools to create shapes filled with colors to display a more realistic image of the structure. For this tutorial, we shall follow the second option.
The Two-Story Factory is an L-shaped building that can be constructed from 2 "filled" rectangles adjacent to each other. Select the down arrow next to the box icon {{image alt="Box Icon" url="images/structtut/boxicon.png"}} and select the **"Create a filled box"** from the drop down menu.{{image alt="Toolbar" url="images/structtut/toolbar.png"}}
The largest dimension of the building is 7-3/4" x 5-1/4". This is the "full" footprint for the factory. The drawing does not give the actual dimensions for the L-shaped section, so we will have to estimate it. This is not a problem since the full footprint is all we need for alignment purposes. Looking at the Two-Story Factory footprint in the Walther's Ad, we can estimate that the L-section is a rough ratio of 1/3 the length by 1/2 the depth. Therefore the rectange in the lower left part is approximately by 5.167" x 2-5/8". You can use a calculator to get the first dimension (7.75 x 2/3 = 5.16666...) or just estimate it. Now draw this rectangle by placing the x-y cursors on the axes scales on the origin (0,0), left click and hold, and then move the mouse while setting the x-y scale indicators on X(horizontal) = 5.167" and Y(vertical) = 2 5/8" (2.625). (Note: Use the x-y dialog windows in the bottom status line and set the x and y values as close as possible. The values may not be exact) Release the left button and a black rectangle will appear.
{{image alt="Step One" url="images/structtut/blackrect.png"}}
Click on the select tool {{image alt="Select Icon" url="images/structtut/select.png"}} and select the rectangle. Then click on the {{image alt="Describe Icon" url="images/structtut/describe.png"}} icon and click on the Color button on the Polygon (T1) pop up dialog window. Pick a color for the Color pop up menu and click OK. For this tutorial chose the color Gray since that is the color of the roof in the Walter's Ad.
{{image alt="Step Two" url="images/structtut/redrect.png"}}
Draw the larger rectangle by placing the cursor on the upper left corner of the rectangle, left click and hold, and drag the mouse to position the cursor at 7-3/4" x 5-1/4. Then use the previous method to change the color of the larger rectangle to gray.
{{image alt="Step Three" url="images/structtut/grayrect.png"}}
Now we need to create the upper walls of the roof. To simulate the thickness of the red brick along the edge of the roof line, create rectangles 1/8" thick and then change their color to reddish brown using the previous methods.
{{image alt="Step Three" url="images/structtut/walls.png"}}
The basic footprint is in place. The remaining part is optional and can contain as much detail you wish to create. You can use the graphics tools just as you would use the tools in XTrkCad to create track sections and curves. Use of these tools should be straight forward, So use the line drawing tool to create the ribbed roof on the smaller rectangle. Draw a line down the center of the rectangle. Draw ribs 1/8" apart perpendicular to the center ridge line. Exact dimensions are not important as we are approximating the roof detail. Use the Filled Circle tool to add more roof detail by adding some vents. You can change the color of these features if you like. The final drawing is shown below.
{{image alt="Final Step" url="images/structtut/final.png"}}
=====Saving the Structure=====
To save the structure click on **Edit** from the main menu and click on **Select All**. Next click on **Manage** from the main menu bar and then select **Group**. Enter the name of the Manufacturer (e.g. Walther's) in the pop up dialog box, enter a description and the part number. Click **OK**. To write the structure into a Parameter file, click on **Manage** and select **Custom Management**. Locate the structure in the Pop up menu and select it. Click on **Move To** and enter a file name. For this tutorial enter "Tutorial-n" (where "-n" is the scale) for the file name and click **Save**. A pop up menu may appear. If it does, then enter a name descriptor for the file (this is not the filename). You can repeat these steps to add other objects into the same file if you wish.
[[StructureTutorial2 Go to part 2 ]]
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Edited on 2007-05-16 11:50:20 by MartinFischerAdditions:
To save the structure click on **Edit** from the main menu and click on **Select All**. Next click on **Manage** from the main menu bar and then select **Group**. Enter the name of the Manufacturer (e.g. Walther's) in the pop up dialog box, enter a description and the part number. Click **OK**. To write the structure into a Parameter file, click on **Manage** and select **Custom Management**. Locate the structure in the Pop up menu and select it. Click on **Move To** and enter a file name. For this tutorial enter "Tutorial-n" (where "-n" is the scale) for the file name and click **Save**. A pop up menu may appear. If it does, then enter a name descriptor for the file (this is not the filename). You can repeat these steps to add other objects into the same file if you wish.
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[[StructureTutorial2 Go to part 2 ]]
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