How do I add structures to the library?

Take a look at the Structure Tutorial that was written by Ralph Boyd and shows step by step how you can design a new structure from a photo and some basic dimensions.

I can't find my tracks elements in the Hotbar!

The track elements that can be shown in the Hotbar are selected via the File->Parameter File configuration. Select all the brands of track and support elements from there.

Note Only elements that fit to your selected scale are available in the Hotbar. So if you're sure that the parameter file has been loaded via the File->Parameter Files dialog, make sure that you selected the right scale for your layout. This setting can be found at Options->Layout.

If you selected a long list of parameter files, movement within the Hotbar can be slow. If you right-click on the Hotbar, a list of available parameter sets is shown. By clicking on one, the Hotbar is immediately scrolled to the first element in that parameter set.

Note 2 When you create a new layout, or when you start XTrkCad for the first time, the scale of the layour defaults to N, do not forget to change the scale in order to see your tracks in the Hotbar!

Where is information on custom track stored?

When you have created a custom turnout or sectional track piece, the information is stored in a file: xtrkcad.cus which is stored in the Windows root directory if you can not find it in the Xtrak\params location.

How to create a perfect crossover

A perfect crossover can be formed between two parallel tracks very easily with the following steps:

• Draw the two main tracks in their proper location.
• Select the first turnout you want to use from the Hot Bar.
• Drag the turnout close to the location where you want it to be.
• And now the trick: Slightly move the turnout around while watching the status line (bottom of window). At some point, it should say '2 Connections'. This means both ends of the straight path through the turnout are now connected to the straight track. Let go of your mouse button and press Enter.
• Voila, a turnout in place with two connections to the neighboring straight track pieces! Note that there is no similar easy way to move it around after it has been put in place.
• Select 'Modify' to make a change to the newly laid turnout.
• Click onto the still unconnected end on the diverging track and drag a bit in roughly the direction it leads to. You'll see a piece of straight track being drawn. Make this piece long enough that it at least crosses the parallel track.
• Voila, a piece of straight track connected to your turnout in the right angle.
• The last step is basically identical to the second one. Select the second turnout you want to use in order to connect to the parallel track.
• Drag it to the approximate location and move it around a bit. Watch the status line again, until you see '3 connections'. Let go your mouse button and press 'Enter'.
• Voila, a perfect crossover for two tracks. It takes much longer to describe all this than to actually do it.

Thanks to Martin Fischer for posting this to the mailing list.

How to force connection of sectional track

If you use sectional track and create easements in your turns by using different radii segments, often you will have problems connecting tracks segments at the opposite side of your layout. This problem also occurs when connecting turnouts and crossovers in combination with various radii curved sections. Since sectional track can be moved slightly to create a connection, you can force XTrakCad to make the connection by the following steps:

• First connect sectional tracks segments which come as close as possible to making the connection at the offending endpoint.
• Select the Option/Preferences menu from the menu bar.
• Change the default Connection Angle or the Connection Distance by a small amount. Don't make this value too large as an unrealistic value will not work in the real world.
• Select Connect Two Tracks from the menu bar or Connect Sectional Tracks (Cntrl+Shift+J) from the Command Drop-Down Menu.
• Click on each endpoint of the two unconnected tracks. If the double bars at the endpoints become a single bar, the tracks are connected.
• If not, you may have to change the Connection values again. In any case, don't exceed a reasonable value (e.g. recommended max: 2.000deg or 0.150 distance).
• Now place a locomotive on the track and run it to test the connection. You can use the locomotive to find other unconnected segments and use the previous methods to connect the sectional tracks.
• Only change the preferences if necessary and only by a small amount. In some cases, it will not be possible to force the connection under reasonable connection preferences. Use your own judgment.

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