AnyRail 6 Tutorial Video 16: Layers Are Our Friends

[@MrTinman624]

Great video, I can now do layers and understand them, thank you. Gary.

[@steampoweredradio2981]

Gary, glad the video helped. I use layers a lot in CAD. But I still have some issues with layers in my photo editing program. Still learning, I guess. Dave

[@bobfuller]

Thanks for creating these tutorials, Dave. I know the amount of time and effort that goes into creating them (I've created a tutorial series on Using iTrain), so I appreciate what it takes to create these. I've found that creating tutorials not only helps others but also helps oneself because you learn so much whilst creating them. It seems like you had a similar experience. I've been using iTrain for about a year now, so I am fairly familiar with it, but I picked up some good tips from your tutorials. In particular, the use of the end points and using the end point data to manipulate objects (angle and position). I also liked your method of nesting the layers using the numeric system, so I will be adopting that in the future. On my layout, I make use of several helix. Perhaps that is a subject for a future video. It's a very versatile and useful feature. I use it to create dual-helix and for working out the grade and height between levels. I am now exploring the 3D viewing feature in more detail, and creating terrain using height contours. It can take a while to understand how iTrain builds the terrain in 3D but it is well worth the effort. Thanks again for the tutorials, and if you ever get an interest in train automation for your layout, check out my iTrain tutorials.

[@steampoweredradio2981]

Bob, Thanks. Yeah I find that doing these videos makes me dig into the program more deeply. I have been thinking about doing something on designing a helix. I only played around with it quickly but I think I'll look into more. Other than adding elevations to my track plan I have not played with the 3D part of AnyRail. Again I think I'll dig into that soon. I took a quick look at your I-Train videos. I'm going to go back and watch them in depth. I am getting back into model railroading after a 20 year hiatus and am going to go DCC but, wow, the cost of the engines is astronomical. I used to pay that for a brass N scale loco. Should have started buying locomotives before I retired. Oh well. For the railroad I'm building I'll need more rolling stock than locos. Think I'll do one or two more AnyRail videos and then stop for a bit. I want to start a series on restoring old radio broadcast equipment. That's why the channel and my website are called Steam Powered Radio. Get a couple of those done and then get back to AnyRail and my railroad design. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to you and yours. Dave

[@bobfuller]

@@steampoweredradio2981 it's definitely worth using the 3D feature. It's great for spotting issues with the layout design. I fly around the track using the video camera to spot problems, which is especially useful if you are using multiple levels. It sounds like I am in a similar position as you. I sold my business and retired two week prior to covid hitting!! I too have just got back into model railways (railroads in USA). The model railway is my retirement project, and I too was shocked by the cost of everything model railway related. Used used to work for a San Jose based, semiconductor test equipment company, called Schlumberger Technologies, so I spent many happy days in California. I've probably listened to your radio station whilst driving around. Merry Christmas! Bob

[@derekalexander4030]

I think you should buy the Digitrax evoxd express duplex command control system and use signaling and block occupancy and do tutorials on every part of it like you did with this. Ummm, that’s not too specific and it doesn’t sound like that’s what I want to buy and use and would love to see you do these amazing tutorials that you do so that I can learn how to use the Digitrax stuff more easily, does it? Lol. Thanks for doing these tutorials, they are incredibly helpful. Have you ever looked at 3rd planit to compare them prior to deciding on this one?

[@oaksjunction4413]

Excellent Series of Tutorials. By numbering the sub layers starting at 01, provides up to 99 sub layers that can be ordered in the list. Example" 02 TRACK" sub layers "02.01" to "02.99"

[@steampoweredradio2981]

Thanks. It's nice to be able to group layers for more complicated designs. Dave

[@jerrysmith1929]

Your tutorials are the most comprehensive I've found. Thank you. I do have a problem. When I add new layers I'm unable to rename them. I was able to give a name to the first layer, but not succeeding layers. What am I missing?

[@steampoweredradio2981]

Hi Jerry. That is odd. I just checked and as long as you click on a layer and you get the flashing cursor after the text in the box, you should be able to backspace or highlight the existing text and remove it and rename the layer. If the layer box is just green that means that layer is the active layer but you can't rename until you see the blinking cursor. If a layer is locked and you want to rename it, just click on that layer and it will turn green (active) and AnyRail will unlock it automatically. Then you can double click in the box and rename it. let me know if this helps you. Dave

[@jerrysmith1929]

@@steampoweredradio2981 thank you. This morning I got it to work for me.

[@GGS1956]

Me again!! On a few occasions I have inserted a baseboard beneath the track plan. In doing so the base board is on top and covering the track, I know now that I must turn off the track layer before adding the baseboard, then switched the track back on. Is there a way of moving existing layers above or below other layers ? Regards Geoff

[@steampoweredradio2981]

Hi, try clicking on the baseboard entity and then select 'Send to Back' or 'Send Backward' in the ribbon. See if that works. If it doesn't let me know some more details about how you have things arranged and I will recreate it on my computer and see what I can come up with. Dave

[@michaelbryant5975]

Hi, your video on Layers was very good, but I still can’t do it. Here is what I have done, tell me what I’m doing wrong. First I made the layer bulbs & locks chart I added 6 or 7 more layers here, First Layer was Layer Name, left that alone, next layer I named it My Layout, next one 2 Track, next ones were 2.1, 2.3, 2.5. I then added 3 track pieces to Project Grid as you did in video. Highlighted first piece of that track, then went looking for the drop down list I saw in your video, But it was never to be found, no matter how many time I clicked around that area. What am I doing wrong? Also I wondered if instead of the one piece of track could I have highlight a whole track circle & made it 2.1 Track. Thanks Michael

[@michaelbryant5975]

I found my problem. It was the 02 Track I had added a space before the 02 Track (space02 Track) that's why the layer drop-down didn't appear.

[@steampoweredradio2981]

Hi Michael, That's interesting. I just tried putting a space in front of layer names and I still got the drop down. I think someone else wrote to me a while back with the same problem. I don't remember how they solved it and I can't find the comment. If it happens again, let me know. I believe if you have made several pieces of track into a Section you can select and move it to another layer in one piece (just tried it and it worked), otherwise you have to select each piece individually. Maybe I'll do a quick addendum video on how to do that. Dave

[@elviocolombino6628]

Thanks for your Top Class Tutorials :-) I am not a native English speaking, nevertheless I was able to easily understand the contents. I am using AnyRail for about nine months now, I am pretty familiar with it and happily make use of layers. However, I have not yet discovered how to make a copy of a layer. Is there any way to do it? am I missing it?

[@steampoweredradio2981]

Hi Elvio, Thank you for the nice comments on my videos. As far as I know there is no way to get anyrail to copy a layer but, I think I have a work around. My question to you is, do you want to copy track to a new layer or buildings or say, a room outline? Track I have a work around for. The others I need to play with some ideas. I'll try and do a video on copying track to a new layer in a day or two. Let me know what you want to copy to a new layer and I will try to come up with something. Dave

[@elviocolombino5806]

Thks for your prompt reply. Right now I am interested to "duplicate" a layer with a track layout without grouping them, copy and paste the resulting group and than vaste time and efforts to re-positioning it

[@steampoweredradio2981]

@@elviocolombino5806 Elvio, I think I have your answer. I am editing a quick video on how to do what you want right now. I hope it works for you. I hope to have it up tonight around 10pm California time. Let me know if this is what you need after you view it. I am also going to do one on how to move a room outline or buildings as well because it is a slightly different technique. Dave

[@GGS1956]

How can I change the colour of a ‘Surface’ that I had to replicate a base board. Default is too dark (Grey) Thanks for great videos

[@steampoweredradio2981]

Hi. Glad you like the videos. Thank you! To change the fill color, hover your mouse pointer over the outside edge of the surface. You'll see the edge get more pronounced. Then, left click to select and the edge will turn green and you will see the bounding box with the handle at the top all in green. Then, with it still highlighted, go to the top ribbon and find 'Fill Color'. Click on 'Fill Color' and the palate will open. Select your color and you're done. You can also call up a generic color wheel by selecting 'More Colors' from the 'Fill Color' tab. You can also change the line color of your surface by selecting 'Line Color' right above 'Fill Color'. The slider below 'Fill Color' adjusts the transparency of your fill color. Hope this helps. Dave

[@admjyandle]

I am having trouble finding the nest episodes after Anyrail 6 video 17.

[@steampoweredradio2981]

Jim, I am working on Videos 17 to 19 now. These three cover a request I had from some subscribers on how to get an image off the web or out of a book or magazine and get them into anyrail. They have taken quite a while because there are live closeup shots and a couple of standups that I am loath to do but were necessary. These should go up in a day or two and then it's back to How To AnyRail videos and the next one is on Pre-Built entities and how to get track spacing right and then fool anyrail into grouping those track components. Dave

[@admjyandle]

@@steampoweredradio2981 Thanks Dave, I really enjoy the sessions and look forward to the next ones. I appreciate the hard work that goes into production! Jim