Templot - pre-sales questions - 4

[martin_wynne]

Templot - pre-sales questions - 4

 

Thinking of getting Templot?

 

Questions about Templot are welcome in this topic.

 

Martin.

[cromptonnut]

Can you please clarify for me what the 'computer unlock code' is please?

 

The reason I ask is that I don't want to tie the software to one computer. My preference at home would be to install the software on my main PC with its nice 19" monitor, but also to be able to run it from my laptop (with smaller screen) if I happen to be away from home and in the middle of a project.

 

However, if the software is 'locked' to only being able to run on the one computer that you get the unlock code from in the first place, and not to be able to install it on another computer I own (especially as I'll only be using one copy at a time) will probably mean I won't bother to buy it as clearly paying twice for something you already have is a no-brainer - although of course I understand that you wouldn't be keen on someone buying a copy and giving it to all their friends at the club, for example.

 

Thanks.

 

 

[martin_wynne]

Can you please clarify for me what the 'computer unlock code' is please?

Hi cromptonnut,

 

PM sent.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[fursty]

Hi Martin I would be grateful if you could PM me with this info as well. I would like to be able to use the software initially on my home PC, the slight difference in my situation is that the laptop I would be using is a contract hire one (work pc) and is replaced every two years, hence my interest in the ability to transfer the license. Many thanks in advance Martin

[martin_wynne]

Hi Martin I would be grateful if you could PM me with this info as well.

Hi Fursty,

 

I have sent you an email.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[trisonic]

Martin,

Is it generally acknowledged now that the use of "Parallels" with a Mac (Intel based only) is the way to go to run Templot on Apple machines?

Have you heard of any issues with this set up?

 

Many thanks in advance.

 

Pete.

[martin_wynne]

Is it generally acknowledged now that the use of "Parallels" with a Mac (Intel based only) is the way to go to run Templot on Apple machines?

Hi Pete,

 

I know nothing about Macs, so I'm sorry I can't provide definitive information -- Templot is a Windows program.

 

However, many users are running Templot on Intel-based Macs, apparently with great success. There are several options, including Parallels, BootCamp, Crossover, etc., but I'm not able to advise on the pros and cons of each. Your best bet is to ask on the Templot Club forum where I'm sure you will get some helpful replies.

 

There is more information (a bit dated now) about using Templot on a Mac computer at: http://groups.yahoo....ot/message/7167

 

and more at: http://85a.co.uk/for...=287&forum_id=1

 

and some screenshots showing Templot on a Mac at: http://85a.co.uk/for...ump_to=732#p732

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[trisonic]

Thank you, Martin. It's such a good program - I'm very interested in using it in both O and HO finescale........or Proto87

 

Best, Pete.

[3 link]

Can you please clarify for me what the 'computer unlock code' is please?

 

The reason I ask is that I don't want to tie the software to one computer. My preference at home would be to install the software on my main PC with its nice 19" monitor, but also to be able to run it from my laptop (with smaller screen) if I happen to be away from home and in the middle of a project.

 

However, if the software is 'locked' to only being able to run on the one computer that you get the unlock code from in the first place, and not to be able to install it on another computer I own (especially as I'll only be using one copy at a time) will probably mean I won't bother to buy it as clearly paying twice for something you already have is a no-brainer - although of course I understand that you wouldn't be keen on someone buying a copy and giving it to all their friends at the club, for example.

 

Thanks.

 

 

 

Hi Martin,

 

One of my queries relates to the question sent by cromptonnut above, and the second one is that I model in 7mm BR (Western region) circa 1955-58, so can I set my trackwork preferences just once or would I have to repeat them each time. Oh just thought of another question, being 7mm can I still print out the track plans on a normal A4 printer. Sorry if you have answered these questions before, theres just so much info to try and find them for myself.

 

Regards, Martyn.

[martin_wynne]

can I set my trackwork preferences just once or would I have to repeat them each time. Oh just thought of another question, being 7mm can I still print out the track plans on a normal A4 printer.

Hi Martyn,

 

Thanks for your interest in Templot. PM sent.

 

The trackwork settings are part of the data for each template. If you reload the data file you were working on and copy one of the templates, you get all your settings back without having to enter them again.

 

Even if you didn't save a file, Templot can do this automatically from the last design you were working on.

 

A 7mm turnout won't fit on a single sheet of A4 paper. So Templot prints it on several sheets. Each page is printed with red trim lines all round. If you trim the pages to the red lines with a craft knife, they fit accurately together to create the full template. You can do this with couple of pages for a single template, or several hundred pages for a complete track plan.

 

This trimming and fitting is very much easier if you use thicker 160gsm paper rather than ordinary thin office paper.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[3 link]

Hi Martyn,

 

Thanks for your interest in Templot. PM sent.

 

The trackwork settings are part of the data for each template. If you reload the data file you were working on and copy one of the templates, you get all your settings back without having to enter them again.

 

Even if you didn't save a file, Templot can do this automatically from the last design you were working on.

 

A 7mm turnout won't fit on a single sheet of A4 paper. So Templot prints it on several sheets. Each page is printed with red trim lines all round. If you trim the pages to the red lines with a craft knife, they fit accurately together to create the full template. You can do this with couple of pages for a single template, or several hundred pages for a complete track plan.

 

This trimming and fitting is very much easier if you use thicker 160gsm paper rather than ordinary thin office paper.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

 

 

Hi Martin,

 

Thank you for your helpful advice, as you can see I have now purchased Templot. Now all I need is the time to get use to the programme what with work, kids, .

 

All the best, Martyn.

[Cornish_Rail]

Hi Martin,

 

 

I was wondering if its possible to input the dimensions of the board you want to work with

i know there most proberly is but i thought i had better ask

 

cheers cornish

 

 

[martin_wynne]

I was wondering if its possible to input the dimensions of the board you want to work with?

Hi Cornish,

 

Yes, you can create outlines for your baseboard(s), railway room, garden, etc. These are called "background shapes", and they are saved separately from your track plan templates, so that you can easily try different track plans in the same space. You can create them by entering the actual dimensions, or alternatively by clicking two diagonal corner positions on the screen to create a rectangle.

 

Even if you don't create such outlines, you can easily see how much space your track plan will need by referring to the grid scales along the bottom and left edges of the screen. There is also a ruler tool which you can use to measure the distance between any two places on your track plan.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[jamie92208]

Hi Martin I would also be interested in the reply about unlock codes. Our printer is attached to the desktop which my wife uses mostly and it would be very helpful if I could run it on the laptop as well then just transfer the various files to the desktop so that I can do printouts. I'll then be able to doodle at length without waiting for SWMBO to go out.

 

Jamie

[Guest Max Stafford]

Martin, I have no experience of track planning beyond an arbitary sketch on scrap paper and I have even less experience of building trackwork (ie none whatsoever!)

 

Is Templot going to be of use to me in those circumstances, even as a OO (finescale) modeller?

 

Dave.

[martin_wynne]

Hi Jamie,

 

PM sent.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[martin_wynne]

Martin, I have no experience of track planning beyond an arbitrary sketch on scrap paper and I have even less experience of building trackwork (ie none whatsoever!)

 

Is Templot going to be of use to me in those circumstances, even as a OO (finescale) modeller?

Hi Dave,

 

Well the question is whether you intend to build your own track in future? Or get someone to build it for you? If yes then I think you would find Templot very useful. It's not only about track planning. Just being able to print individual construction templates in infinite variety makes it a valuable tool for track builders. Many track builders say they would be lost without it.

 

On the other hand if you intend to buy ready-made track such as Peco, Templot is not really suitable and you would do better with one of the pick-and-place programs such as AnyRail, XTrackCad, WinRail, 3rd PlanIt, etc.

 

regards,

 

Martin.

[Guest Max Stafford]

Thanks Martin,

I think the way my mind and eye are working means that I am going to find the requirement for hand-built track impossible to ignore so perhaps rather than trying to postpone the inevitable I should perhaps just 'go for gold' and get stuck into planning and building my own. It appears to allow for a lot more flexibility in the design phase, rather than relying on rigid off-the-shelf geometry.

 

Scary though...!

 

Dave.