RMweb Gold martin_wynne Posted October 3, 2009 RMweb Gold Share Posted October 3, 2009 Templot - pre-sales questions - 2 (This long topic copied from Old RMweb -- please make new posts in the Templot - pre-sales questions - 4 topic.) __________________________________________ Comment posted by Simon Moore on Moore on Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:07 am I wanted to just say that i have had Templot for a month now & it is one of the best modelling tools I've ever bought. I'm still getting my head round it but the program is second to none & worth every penny in my book. Simon. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Sat Jul 05, 2008 8:11 pm Simon Moore wrote: I wanted to just say that I have had Templot for a month now & it is one of the best modelling tools I've ever bought. I'm still getting my head round it but the program is second to none & worth every penny in my book. Hi Simon, Many thanks indeed for the kind words. Earlier in this topic you weren't too sure that Templot was right for you, so I'm glad you are finding it useful and enjoying using it. regards, Martin. __________________________________________ Comment posted by hayfield on Sun Jul 06, 2008 9:06 am Martin I would like to echo Simon's comments, I have had a great time using Templot, best to date was a series of curved points. I have not mastered slips and 3 ways yet (all that shoving timbers is above me at the moment) for 3 ways I just combine 2 templates manually and will try and adapt a crossover to a slip, but still I have really enjoyed using it and have now built points in 00 00-SF and EM, I would also thank you for the additional help and support you have given me and others. __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pint of Adnams on Wed Jul 23, 2008 8:42 pm Hello Martin, You may have answered this question already/elsewhere, in which case apologies for not finding it... Does Templot understand the 'rules' for closer sleeper spacing at each end of a track panel or of the specific spacing of timbers used for switches and crossings, and if so is it preset with the correct data for various companies including GER and LNER? I'm contemplating acquiring a copy, but I would wish to ensure that I could create prototypically accurate templates for a former GE branch line/terminus in S7. TIA. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Wed Jul 23, 2008 10:28 pm Pint of Adnams wrote: Does Templot understand the 'rules' for closer sleeper spacing at each end of a track panel or of the specific spacing of timbers used for switches and crossings Hi PoA, Yes, Templot knows all about closed-up timbering at rail joints, both for plain track and within turnouts. And about all the individual sleeper spacings in-between, and different rail lengths. Here's a screenshot showing some S7 plain track for 30ft rails and 13 sleepers per length: You can see that the sleepers get closer together towards the joints -- at sleepers A13-A14 for example compared with A6-A7. and if so is it preset with the correct data for various companies including GER and LNER? Er, no. There is no such thing as the correct data for say the GER. It would have varied with different rail lengths and spacings used at different periods, for different classes of line, for different radius of curves, for use in tunnels, and other considerations. When you find a standard drawing, it will be for new renewals of straight main line track at the date of the drawing. It doesn't necessarily apply to track laid 30 years earlier round the back of the gasworks. Templot includes some standard prototype settings which you can use for BR steam-era running lines, and a couple of generic settings for older track. Beyond that it assumes that you know the prototype data which you want to use, and let's you enter it as a custom plain track setting. Here's an excellent guide written by Stuart Hince explaining how to set up custom plain track, in this case for for GWR 44ft-6in rails: http://www.templot.c...artweb/pdf_file ... panels.pdf If you need some data for typical GER rail lengths and spacings I can provide it from C. J. Allen's 1915 book, but only you know if it would be applicable to the track that was in the goods yard say, at the station you are modelling. Some pre-grouping track used wider 12" sleepers adjacent to the rail joints, and Templot can do that too. You can also choose between 8ft-6in or 9ft sleepers, or set any other length. For the GER the sleepers would have been all 9ft long I think. (In the screenshot above the sleepers are 8ft-6in long.) I hope this answers your questions. I think there are other Templot users modelling the GER in S7, and they may be willing to share their files with you to save you needing to create your own custom settings. It would be worth asking on the Templot Club forum at http://www.templot.com/forum regards, Martin. __________________________________________ Comment posted by Pint of Adnams on Thu Jul 24, 2008 10:33 am Hello Martin, Thanks for your comprehensive and informative reply. Yes, there are other S7 modellers of the GER, and its PWay is an ongoing area of research for those engaged in, e.g., building the West Mersea layout. The S7 handbook only 'recognises' GWR practice at present. Nevertheless, I would be most interested in the information from the Cecil J. Allen book, presumably in return for purchasing a copy of Templot This should be quite contemporary with the likely c1900-05 construction of the branch line, had the GER been so minded to do it and, as with most rural stations, the sidings and non-running lines would not have changed much from the original or needed relaying. In fact, c1955 it's quite possible that the running lines would still be in BH rail, and an RA2 or 3 restriction in place as with most of the East Anglian branches. However, the above reads more like a 'layout' thread, so perhaps best left there. A further question: I need to re-image my PC sometime - if I were to download Templot is it easy enough to copy the files/directory for backup - no dongley bits needed? TIA again. __________________________________________ Comment posted by twa_dogs on Fri Jul 25, 2008 11:18 am Umm sorry to be part of the awkward minority, but are there any plans to make a mac compatible version or do you have any experience with running this software on either a dual boot intel mac or pc emulator power mac? I'd rather like to have a go with this but having recently killed off my last PC am at a bit of a loss how to proceed. Regards Steve __________________________________________ ??? posted on Fri Jul 25, 2008 1:35 pm twa_dogs wrote: Umm sorry to be part of the awkward minority, but are there any plans to make a mac compatible version or do you have any experience with running this software on either a dual boot intel mac or pc emulator power mac? Hi Steve, I have no plans to create a native Mac version -- I'm too busy developing and supporting the Windows version of the program. But users report that Templot runs fine on the latest Intel-based Macs under both Bootcamp and Parallels Desktop. On earlier Macs it can be run using VirtualPC. There is more about using Templot on a Mac at: http://groups.yahoo....ot/message/7167 and at: http://www.templot.c...orum/view_topic ... forum_id=1 and some screenshots showing Templot on a Mac at: http://www.templot.c...orum/view_topic ... o=732#p732 My knowledge of Macs is almost nil, so I can't answer detailed questions, sorry. But there are Templot users on the Templot Club forums who can, so please ask on there if you need more info -- http://www.templot.com/forum regards, Martin. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Thu Jul 31, 2008 2:09 am Pint of Adnams wrote: I would be most interested in the information from the Cecil J. Allen book Hi PoA, Here's the bit of CJA relevant to GER, plain track with 30ft rails and 13 sleepers per rail: You can see (Fig. 82) that the spacings from the rail joints are: 13", 22", 26", 29", 6x30", 29", 26", 22", 13", which adds up to 360" (30ft). The 22" spacing is unusual in being closer than the joint spacing of 2x13" = 26". So you get the effect of the joint being more widely spaced than the next adjacent sleepers. I think this would be quite distinctive of GER track, I'm not aware of any other like that. Notice also that the end sleeper is 12" wide instead of 10" wide for the others. It also carries a larger joint-chair casting -- see Notes A and B in the table below. Notice that the GER data in the table (45ft rails, 18 sleepers) doesn't match the drawing. The CJA book was a compilation of magazine articles written over a period of time, and it isn't always consistent. A further question: I need to re-image my PC sometime - if I were to download Templot is it easy enough to copy the files/directory for backup - no dongley bits needed? Just copy/backup the entire C:\TEMPLOT folder, or wherever you decide to install Templot on your system. regards, Martin. __________________________________________ Comment posted by ForestPines on Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:00 am Given that there's no demo-version available ("technical reasons", yes? I'm puzzled as to what they might be), is there any money-back guarantee if I buy it and decide it's not what I need? __________________________________________ Comment posted by flubrush on Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:18 am ForestPines wrote: Given that there's no demo-version available ("technical reasons", yes? I'm puzzled as to what they might be), is there any money-back guarantee if I buy it and decide it's not what I need? I don't think Martin offers a money back deal, but you should be able to assess if it will do what you want from all the information that Martin provides in the way of text tutorials and video tutorials. Basically, if you make your own track, it's a design aid for templates which can be extended to design complete layout plans. If you intend to use ready made track, then you are probably better looking at something like XTrakCAD. Jim. __________________________________________ Comment posted by Gordon S on S on Wed Aug 20, 2008 9:42 am If you are concerned about the investment and whether or not it is right for you, I would suggest sitting with an existing user and seeing what the software will do. There are several users on here, so you may find one fairly local who could demonstrate it for you. I'd be happy to, but it will cost much more in petrol to get here..... __________________________________________ Comment posted by hayfield on Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:32 am ForestPines wrote: Given that there's no demo-version available ("technical reasons", yes? I'm puzzled as to what they might be), is there any money-back guarantee if I buy it and decide it's not what I need? I had the same concernes, would I get value for money. Not being very computer literate I cannot do some of the wounderfull things others do. I do use it for making point templates, it is worth the money just to be able to build track to fit your own site and not have to make your plan fit the point sizes available. I built 4 curved points which each had to be slightly different to enable the main line to flow through them at the same radii. Then you can alter the sleepering on the points as per prototype (equalised etc). I just winse every time I see RTR points. I have copied a couple of templates others have shared and changed gauge on them. OK you can buy paper templates but you are stuck with whats available, and whilst on single turnouts the sleeper spacing is correct, the sleepers always follow the straight track, which may be incorrect for the period or site you are modelling. If I had to pay 60p for every template I have printed off I would have spent more money by now and not have had as accurate track. I have not mentioned the back up we recieve from Martin which is A1 __________________________________________ Comment posted by ShedcombeUponFrome on Wed Aug 20, 2008 11:53 am martin_wynne wrote: Pint of Adnams wrote: I would be most interested in the information from the Cecil J. Allen book Hi PoA, Here's the bit of CJA relevant to GER, plain track with 30ft rails and 13 sleepers per rail: You can see (Fig. 82) that the spacings from the rail joints are: 13", 22", 26", 29", 6x30", 29", 26", 22", 13", which adds up to 360" (30ft). The 22" spacing is unusual in being closer than the joint spacing of 2x13" = 26". So you get the effect of the joint being more widely spaced than the next adjacent sleepers. I think this would be quite distinctive of GER track, I'm not aware of any other like that. Notice also that the end sleeper is 12" wide instead of 10" wide for the others. It also carries a larger joint-chair casting -- see Notes A and B in the table below. < snip > regards, Martin. Hi, Just a lurker ( having designed my trackplan, using Roco Rocoline HO track for OO use, in a combination of Wintrack / Paint / Gimp ) that spotted a mistake above. Reading the drawing, the GER sleepers are 12' - 10' - then all 9', and not 12' and then all 10', as stated before. Regards, Michel ( impressed with what Templot can do, but not of use for me just yet ). __________________________________________ Comment posted by buckjumper on Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:20 pm Hi Michael ShedcombeUponFrome wrote: Just a lurker... that spotted a mistake above. Reading the drawing, the GER sleepers are 12' - 10' - then all 9', and not 12' and then all 10', as stated before. I'm afraid you've misread the drawing and transposed width and length. All the sleepers are 9' x 10" x 5" except the end ones which are 9' x 12" x 5". __________________________________________ Comment posted by ForestPines on Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:23 pm ShedcombeUponFrome wrote: Reading the drawing, the GER sleepers are 12' - 10' - then all 9', and not 12' and then all 10', as stated before. I think you're misreading the dimensions. I read it as saying that they're all 9' long, but varying between 10" and 12" width. __________________________________________ Comment posted by ShedcombeUponFrome on Wed Aug 20, 2008 12:31 pm I stand correct. You're both right. Apologies. Regards, Michel __________________________________________ Comment posted by hayfield on Thu Aug 21, 2008 5:15 pm ForestPines wrote: Given that there's no demo-version available ("technical reasons", yes? I'm puzzled as to what they might be), is there any money-back guarantee if I buy it and decide it's not what I need? I have just followed a tutorial and have printed off a 7mm 16.5 gauge point with sleepering adjusted for the slight gauge widening fron 14mm. Where else could I get a plan? Proof that its worth the money __________________________________________ Comment posted by ForestPines on Mon Sep 01, 2008 5:49 pm hayfield wrote: I have just followed a tutorial and have printed off a 7mm 16.5 gauge point with sleepering adjusted for the slight gauge widening fron 14mm. Where else could I get a plan? Proof that its worth the money Ah, but by that logic, you could say it's worth *any* amount of money! I've spoken to friends at my local Scalefour area group, and in their experience it's horribly difficult to get the hang of. In fact, they were all for persuading me to learn how to use it, so I could then teach them. I will have to see if I can borrow a computer with it on - I've checked the license terms, and there's no limit on number of users, just on number of installations; and I'm sure one of my friends must have it on a laptop they can lend me. __________________________________________ Comment posted by flubrush on Mon Sep 01, 2008 6:42 pm ForestPines wrote: I've spoken to friends at my local Scalefour area group, and in their experience it's horribly difficult to get the hang of. In fact, they were all for persuading me to learn how to use it, so I could then teach them. It's a CAD program dealing with a complex subject, so it's going to take a bit of time to learn how to use it. It doesn't work like most other CAD programs so that can be a bit of a brick wall if you've had previous experience in something like TurboCAD or AutoCAD, but you eventually learn to switch mentally between both types of program after a while - BTDT. I found the best way to learn was to undertake to design a specific layout and stagger through the planning process with frequent reference to the text and video tutorials. By the end, I had the layout plan, and had had to use most of the features provided in Templot. I still haven't used every feature but I might get there some day. Jim. __________________________________________ ??? posted on Mon Sep 01, 2008 8:20 pm ForestPines wrote: I've spoken to friends at my local Scalefour area group, and in their experience it's horribly difficult to get the hang of. Hi FP, There are a couple of short videos showing the basics of Templot for beginners. This video shows the basics of track layout planning: simple track plan video This video shows the basics of designing and printing individual templates: basic template design video There is always friendly help available both here on RMweb and on the Templot Club user forum if you get stuck, and more videos and tutorials on the Templot web site. regards, Martin. ------------------------------- http://www.templot.com __________________________________________ Comment posted by ForestPines on Mon Sep 01, 2008 10:16 pm Thanks Martin. I'll have a look at the videos and see what it looks like. __________________________________________ Comment posted by hayfield on Tue Sep 02, 2008 3:52 pm ForestPines wrote: Thanks Martin. I'll have a look at the videos and see what it looks like. Forest Pines I have got the hang for making single points and joining them together and using the crossover short cuts along with using other,s templates that they have made and posted, and been able to convert the gauge and scale as required. I followed the tutorial re narrow gauge fine so you should have no problems. But when it comes to 3way and slips I am lost. For 3 ways I manually paste 2 plain points together (please do not laugh) and as for slips I have some templates, one day I will get the hang of it but I have many other calls on my time. But just to be able to create a template to fit the location in a very short time Templot is priceless. John __________________________________________ Comment posted by twa_dogs on Fri Nov 21, 2008 3:54 pm Martin, thanks for the pointers helping out with my os compatibility issues. Having hijacked an old G-4 to use as a scanner/printer abacus at home, I'll try to find a copy of virtual pc and will be in touch to order Templot once the home office/virtual workshop/den/hidey hole is complete. Tis just a shame that I daren't touch my works powerbook and dual boot that (still staying chicken on that due to moans about unauthorised software on works machines). In the meantime its plod on amassing p4 stuff. Cheers Steve __________________________________________ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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