BlasterBob Posted June 14, 2020 Share Posted June 14, 2020 (edited) With the assistance of Iain Morrison I have been working on a new series of iTrain tutorials. The first five videos have now been published on YouTube. Here are the links so far: Tutorial 01: https://youtu.be/5jjA2mwRS1U Installing iTrain 00:30 - What do I need? 01:37 - Downloading 02:05 - Check if Java is installed 03:08 - Download and Install Java 05:09 - Download and Install iTrain 06:48 - Opening iTrain 08:06 - iTrain license overview 09:10 - Applying for a trail license Tutorial 02: https://youtu.be/HkQIi3E6ra0 iTrain Overview 00:24 - Introduction 00:59 – Fundamental windows at startup 01:44 – Top toolbar 03:28 – File - dropdown menus 04:04 – Editor - dropdown menus 04:12 – Settings 04:26 – Preferences 04:45 – Interfaces 05:01 - Boosters 05:15 – Feedbacks 05:52 – Accessories 06:17 – Track Routes 07:02 – Actions 07:32 – Locomotives, Wagons and Trains 08:17 – Train Types 08:80 – Train Routes 09:44 – Blocks 10:10 – Stations 11:14 - Switchboard 11:38 – Control – dropdown menu 11:48 – View – dropdown menu 11:59 – Diagnosis 12:42 – Keyboard 13:05 – Feedback Monitor 13:32 – Speed measurements 14:01 – Decoder Programming 14:25 – Layout views plus extra switchboards Tutorial 03: https://youtu.be/mnJL5e2z5DA Connecting a Command Station 00:46 - Saving a layout 02:08 - Interface Editor 04:06 - General Tab 04:17 - Connection Tab 06:18 - Specific Tab 06:29 - Image Tab 06:42 - Saving your Command Station 07:25 – Connect to your layout Tutorial 04: https://youtu.be/Y-UnPm6fqqg Running Locos Manually 00:31 – Fundamental Basics 02:54 - Quick Speed Profile 07:52 – Creating a new locomotive 09:36 – Image Tab 10:02 – Speed Tab – Step1 and Step 126 – Linear 10:56 – Options Tab 11:10 – Saving your new Locomotive 11:42 – The difference between Locomotives & Trains 13:34 – Making the train move manually – video insert 14:35 – Creating a new Locomotive – Revision 15:53 – Speed Tab – copy from existing locomotive 16:49 – Saving the new Locomotive 17:10 – Running the new Locomotives – video insert 18:48 – Saving the layout Tutorial 05: https://youtu.be/Rp7fBxkFShM Switchboard - Manual Turnout Control 00:30 – Start iTrain and open project 01:11 – Creating a new switchboard whilst retaining Locomotives & Trains 02:38 – Editing the Switchboard 03:26 – Diagram of Test Track for Tutorials 04:25 – Enlarging the grid space 05:09 – Drawing the mainline track 06:08 – Drawing the sidings 06:42 – Drawing the left-hand turnouts 07:32 – Drawing the right-hand turnouts 08:12 – Drawing the curves 08:52 – Drawing the buffers 09:39 – Naming and addressing the turnouts 12:50 – Applying / Saving the Switchboard 14:17 – Testing the turnout addressing and function on the layout – video insert 15:04 – Testing by moving trains over turnouts – video insert Tutorial 06: https://youtu.be/ZkI_zQTVEXo Laying Track, and Track Layers 00:03 – Overview 01:05 – Using the Keyboard to lay track in the switchboard 02:24 – Creating the sidings using keystrokes only 04:32 – Entering buffers using Shift + B 05:25 – Rotating elements using Shift + R 05:48 – Inserting Feedbacks using the F key 06:01 – Inserting Blocks using the B key 06:11 – Inserting Direction Arrows using the P key 06:23 – Using the Copy and Paste method 06:59 – Moving elements using Shift + Ctrl + Cursor Keys 07:17 – CAUTION when copying items 09:00 – Copying onto a new Tab 09:35 - Understanding Layers 10:17 – Creating a layer 10:46 – Editing elements on or below a layer 12:05 – CAUTION - Inadvertently creating layers 13:23 – Non-switchable elements above switchable elements 13:57 – CAUTION – you cannot have two switchable elements on top of each other 14:19 – IMPORTANT - leave at least two squares either side when creating Block elements. 14:35 – IMPORTANT – leave at least one square adjacent to ends of tracks. 15:06 – IMPORTANT – Direction Arrows pointing in the direction of the Block element dots. 16:18 – Undo Command – Ctrl + Z Tutorial 07: https://youtu.be/K6ZOtIIk3uI Track Routes 00:00 – Introduction 01:17 – Adding text elements using Shift + E 04:05 – Adding a section of track in the switchboard using keystrokes 05:03 – Apply changes and save 05:19 – Creating Track Routes 06:10 – Placing Track Route elements away from the track. 06:43 – Entering the details of the Track Routes – naming and sequences 10:01 – Setting the delay in the Switch Order Tab 12:12 - Setting a Global delay in the Options Tab 13:44 - Set Always tick-box 14:21 – Reset Initial State tick-box 15:13 – Entering Track Route Details – Revision 18:00 – Apply changes and save 18:21 – Checking the operation of the saved Track Routes 18:50 – Lock symbols at turnouts 19:19 – IMPORTANT – deselect Track Route when finished. 20:08 – Automatic Track Route Control – Overview 22:14 - Homework suggestion Tutorial 08: https://youtu.be/nhKXUSAgei0 Blocks, Feedbacks and Groups 00:13 – Introduction 00:52 – Blocks – graphic depicting real-world railway blocks 01:22 – Blocks in iTrain 01:43 – The three aspects of Blocks 02:49 – Block Properties Editor 03:22 – Block Terms Graphic – Physical Block, Block Element, Block Control Object 03:31 – Block Rules 1&2 - Graphic 04:02 – Block Rules 1 & 2 – Examples & Explanation 05:50 – Block Rules – Cross tracks 07:24 – Block Rules – Sidings and long track sections 08:06 – Block Rule 3 - Graphic – Block requirements 08:40 – Block Rule 3 – Examples & Explanation 10:37 - Preferred Direction of Travel definition – Previous to Next 11:40 – Block Element dots explanation 12:12 – Block Rule 5 – Graphic – Length of Blocks 12:26 – Block Rule 5 – Examples & Explanation 13:27 – Block Rule 6 – Graphic – Grouping 13:40 – Block Rule 6 – Using the Assign Group button or G Key 15:21 – Placing the required elements to create a Block Tutorial 09: https://youtu.be/ymrhTb56qOA Defining Feedbacks 00:00 – Introduction & Recap 00:59 – Running the Diagnosis – Ctrl D 01:45 – Correcting errors – inputting length of turnouts 03:34 – Opening the Switchboard, checking for black track elements and correcting errors 05:57 – Defining Feedbacks – Feedback Properties 08:38 – Defining Feedbacks by using the Template function for multiple Feedbacks 10:24 – Assigning control objects to Feedback elements – drag and drop 11:06 - Revision of defining Feedbacks 11:45 – Using Board Item to define a Feedback Tutorial 10: https://youtu.be/8ndTcstd0Kw Defining Blocks 00:00 – Introduction and Recap 01:00 – Opening Switchboard and selecting Block properties 01:44 - Naming and Describing the Block 01:56 – Selecting the type of Block 02:13 – Defining the length of the Block and the use of Autofill 02:46 – Options Tab 03:33 – Feedbacks Tab 04:24 – Feedbacks Tab with two feedback sensors 05:55 – IMPORTANT – Order of feedbacks – Previous to Next 06:19 – Feedbacks using light sensors or reed switches 07:15 – Direction Previous Tab – Use Positions checkbox 08:14 – Direction Previous Tab – Entering a STOP position – positive or negative distances 09:44 – Direction Previous Tab – Block 10:15 – Direction Next Tab 11:50 – IMPORTANT – Critical check box - avoiding deadlocks 14:12 - Results of defining a Block 14:56 - Defining Blocks by using the Template function for multiple Blocks 15:42 - Assigning control objects to Block elements – drag and drop 16:00 – Using the Autofill function 16:51 – Revision of entering the STOP position and Block properties 17:45 – Revision of defining Blocks 19:45 – Using the Board Item Tab 21:04 – Using the Text Direction drop-down menu in the Board Item Tab 21:45 – IMPORTANT – Using the Connect button 22:16 – Saving the Layout and running the Diagnosis – Ctrl D Tutorial 11: https://youtu.be/ZwuzZX6RaHs Instant Route Basics 0:45 - "Wide" layout and how to select it 0:54 - Recall of "Track Routes" and their limitations 3:37 - Putting/Removing trains in blocks in the Switchboard 5:09 - Synching physical orientation of the train in the switchboard 8:40 - Creation of an "Instant Route" and Route vs Shunt selection 10:25 - Information in the switchboard about the route and the train 12:20 - How iTrain knows where the train is? 12:29 - Example of movement simulation with iTrain offline, not connected, by double clicking in the feedbacks. (simulation mode) 13:37 - Shunt example 14:19 - Erasing a route error message Tutorial 12: https://youtu.be/INdIf2rB44o Multiple Instant Routes Auto Reverse using Instant Route Splitting and reattaching a Loco 00:00 – Introduction and Recap 01:13 – Placing a Train on the Switchboard and checking the orientation of the Train 03:06 - Shift + Click on Direction Arrow to change the iTrain orientation to match reality 03:16 – Checking the orientation – Select forward – note the direction of the arrow and compare 04:09 – Creating an Instant Route with simple drag & drop 04:40 – Creating a simultaneous Instant Routes with drag & drop 06:11 – Creating more simultaneous Instant Routes including moving into an occupied siding 11:10 – Auto Reversing 12:02 – Splitting a Train - Left-click and Hold (note: the "Split Train" option will not appear until the train has previously been routed somewhere. So it is not available when the train is first placed onto the layout) 14:09 – Reattaching a Locomotive to Wagons by shunting 14:41 – “Allow shunt in occupied Block” setting change in Block Properties 15:20 - Reattaching a Locomotive to Wagons by shunting – Left-Click and Hold to join Tutorial 13: https://youtu.be/a63agS5XwY4 Semi-Automatic and Manual Instant Routes Block Position 00:00 – Introduction 00:50 – Checking Train Properties 01:39 – Instant Route Recap – Drag & Drop – Route or Shunt 02:22 – New feature iTrain 5.0.5 and above – Pop-Up option to run the route in 3 ways 03:02 – Explanation of difference in route options – Automatic, Semi-Automatic, Manual 04:08 – Semi-Automatic Mode – Example 05:47 – Positional information in the Block 07:18 – Starting a Semi-Automatic route – Apply throttle or you get an error 07:49 – Resetting the Route 08:18 – Applying throttle in offline mode and simulating the movement of the train 08:37 – QUESTION? – Why is iTrain reporting 3cm when the train first enters the block? 09:21 – Monitoring the position of the train in the control Block. 12:14 – QUESTION? Why is iTrain only releasing after the train has moved 65cm into the Block and not 58,5cm 12:51 – A closer look at Block Properties and interpretation of positions 14:21 – IMPORTANT - Iain Morrison’s iTrain Forum post explaining Block Position 17:29 – Reporting Position dependent on the direction of Direction Arrow 18:07 – QUESTION? Reversing a Train into a Block – what position will iTrain report? Tutorial 14: https://youtu.be/ed9W-Uoxw44 Answers to the questions from video 13. 00:00 – Introduction 00:10 – ANSWER - Why is iTrain reporting 3cm when the train first enters the block? 01:47 – ANSWER - Why is iTrain only releasing after the train has moved 65cm into the Block and not 58,5cm 03:05 – IMPORTANT – Explanation and Table regarding Margins 04:38 – ANSWER - Reversing a Train into a Block – what position will iTrain report? 05:38 – IMPORTANT – Occupancy sensors triggered by current conducting/pickup wheels Tutorial 15: https://youtu.be/Qg0xjJl14Y0 Deadlocks and Critical Blocks 00:00 – Introduction of the new layout 01:38 – Setting up three Instant Routes 02:14 – Starting the Instant Routes and moving the trains along the routes. 02:59 – Example and Explanation of a classic Deadlock 03:34 – How to prevent a Deadlock and identify a Critical Block 04:42 - How to make a Critical Block in Direction Next 06:28 – Definition of a Critical Block 07:17 – Checking the operation with Critical Block selected – Deadlock avoided 09:03 – More complex example of a Deadlock – Critical Block in Direction Previous 16:18 - Checking the operation with Critical Block selected – Deadlock avoided Tutorial 16: https://youtu.be/80K2VIXVO1I Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 1) 02:30 - Five step summary 05:15 - Creating a CV Table 09:13 - Setting CV3 Acceleration, CV4 Deceleration 10:50 - Measuring and setting CV5 Max Speed 13:30 - Measuring and setting CV2 Min Speed 14:38 - Creating a Speed Profile 20:00 - Inertia Simulation - Acceleration - Deceleration - Step Delay - Step Size - Feedback Offset Tutorial 17: https://youtu.be/uBldmYVxkK4 Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 2) - Reaction Delay Tutorial 18: https://youtu.be/Y1H-bYn2e28 Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 3) - Reaction Delay Shuttle Train Route Don't forget to subscribe to the YouTube channel, it's completely free, and also press the bell icon so that you receive a notification when a new video has been posted. I hope you find them useful. Bob Edited September 17, 2020 by BlasterBob 6 4 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted June 20, 2020 Author Share Posted June 20, 2020 Video #6 is now published. Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 06: Laying Track, and Track Layers 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Premium Shropshire Lad Posted June 28, 2020 RMweb Premium Share Posted June 28, 2020 Very clear and easy to understand Bob. Looking forward to upcoming videos. Cheers Colin Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 Thank you Colin. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted July 3, 2020 Author Share Posted July 3, 2020 Video 7 is now available on youtube. Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 07: Track Routes https://youtu.be/K6ZOtIIk3uI 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 55020 Posted July 5, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 5, 2020 I've just watched all 7 videos, subscribed and Thanks Bob (and Iain) for taking the time to put this series together. The manual is good ( and extensive), but there's nothing better than watching someone take you through things step by step. Steve 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted July 9, 2020 Author Share Posted July 9, 2020 On 05/07/2020 at 22:54, 55020 said: I've just watched all 7 videos, subscribed and Thanks Bob (and Iain) for taking the time to put this series together. The manual is good ( and extensive), but there's nothing better than watching someone take you through things step by step. Steve Thanks Steve. Appreciated. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted July 10, 2020 Author Share Posted July 10, 2020 Video #8 is now published Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 08: Blocks, Feedbacks and Groups Bob 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
R.Langley Posted July 12, 2020 Share Posted July 12, 2020 I binged the first 7 videos during the week and then caught up with video 8 yesterday, fantastic. As Steve said, as good as the manual is, seeing practical demonstrations of how iTrain works really does help whet the appetite to get it and makes you think "this is for me", so thank you (and Iain) for putting these together. Looking forward to the rest of the videos! Richard Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted July 13, 2020 Author Share Posted July 13, 2020 19 hours ago, R.Langley said: I binged the first 7 videos during the week and then caught up with video 8 yesterday, fantastic. As Steve said, as good as the manual is, seeing practical demonstrations of how iTrain works really does help whet the appetite to get it and makes you think "this is for me", so thank you (and Iain) for putting these together. Looking forward to the rest of the videos! Richard Thank you, Richard. It's great to hear that the videos are proving useful. iTrain provides an exciting new dimension to the hobby. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 Video #9 is now available. Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 09: Defining Feedbacks https://youtu.be/ymrhTb56qOA 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted July 21, 2020 Author Share Posted July 21, 2020 Video #10 is now available. Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 10: Defining Blocks 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
RMweb Gold 55020 Posted July 22, 2020 RMweb Gold Share Posted July 22, 2020 Two in one day, you're spoiling me Bob 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted July 22, 2020 Author Share Posted July 22, 2020 26 minutes ago, 55020 said: Two in one day, you're spoiling me Bob Just like London buses!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted July 29, 2020 Author Share Posted July 29, 2020 Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 11: Instant Route Basics is now available on YouTube. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted August 3, 2020 Author Share Posted August 3, 2020 Using iTrain Tutorial Series - Video 12 - Multiple Instant Routes - Auto Reverse - Splitting Trains Now available on YouTube. 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted August 11, 2020 Author Share Posted August 11, 2020 Tutorial #13 and #14 are now published. 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted August 22, 2020 Author Share Posted August 22, 2020 Tutorial 15: Deadlocks and Critical Blocks NOW READY FOR VIEWING 2 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted August 22, 2020 Share Posted August 22, 2020 Thank you Bob and Iain. This whole series of videos is excellent, very clear explanations of how this system works. I thought I'd watched the complete set until this latest one was added. There's obviously so much more to this software than I had first realised. My initial impression is that this seems to be the best thought out product since Acorn brought out the BBC micro all those years ago. How much more is there for the videos to cover?? I have not long had my Z21 and am still trying getting used to that and using smartphones as throttles/controllers. I have a lot of locos to chip, points to be changed to interface to DCC and I also have to fit some form of feedbacks, so exploring the software isn't top priority and the layout work will take me rather longer than the 2 months trial period. It does look as though using the package for configuration may be much smarter than using the Z21 native though. At the moment I have downloaded Itrain but not yet registered as I am not yet ready to start evaluating it properly, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I could do even in unregistered mode and what a promising system Itrain is. There is reference to a putative Version 6.0 in the pricing blurb, but I can't help wondering what functionality there is to add and whether anything new is in the pipeline. The only anomaly I have noticed in your videos is that they show more than one throttle, whereas I can only see one on the version I have downloaded and I haven't found any options for changing settings. Presumably that is just a limitation of looking at it before getting at least a trial licence, which is fair enough. One concern I do have is transferability to a future PC as and when I replace the one I'm currently using, particularly if he were to cease trading for any reason. It's only right that the vendor should protect his product against piracy but I don't understand how his licence code protects against that unless the software is restricted in some way to the machine concerned. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andymsa Posted August 23, 2020 Share Posted August 23, 2020 On 22/08/2020 at 20:07, Michael Hodgson said: Thank you Bob and Iain. This whole series of videos is excellent, very clear explanations of how this system works. I thought I'd watched the complete set until this latest one was added. There's obviously so much more to this software than I had first realised. My initial impression is that this seems to be the best thought out product since Acorn brought out the BBC micro all those years ago. How much more is there for the videos to cover?? I have not long had my Z21 and am still trying getting used to that and using smartphones as throttles/controllers. I have a lot of locos to chip, points to be changed to interface to DCC and I also have to fit some form of feedbacks, so exploring the software isn't top priority and the layout work will take me rather longer than the 2 months trial period. It does look as though using the package for configuration may be much smarter than using the Z21 native though. At the moment I have downloaded Itrain but not yet registered as I am not yet ready to start evaluating it properly, but I was pleasantly surprised how much I could do even in unregistered mode and what a promising system Itrain is. There is reference to a putative Version 6.0 in the pricing blurb, but I can't help wondering what functionality there is to add and whether anything new is in the pipeline. The only anomaly I have noticed in your videos is that they show more than one throttle, whereas I can only see one on the version I have downloaded and I haven't found any options for changing settings. Presumably that is just a limitation of looking at it before getting at least a trial licence, which is fair enough. One concern I do have is transferability to a future PC as and when I replace the one I'm currently using, particularly if he were to cease trading for any reason. It's only right that the vendor should protect his product against piracy but I don't understand how his licence code protects against that unless the software is restricted in some way to the machine concerned. there is no need to be concerned about the license code as it is transferable between computers. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 Thanks for that Andy. I thought it probably would be, but good to hear it is Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
WIMorrison Posted August 24, 2020 Share Posted August 24, 2020 @Michael Hodgson The number of handheld throttles you can operate is dictated by your command station and the number of iTrain throttles is limited by the size if the layout, the capabilities of your command station, available power and finally the number of screens you have to display the throttles. There is a restriction on the number of interface available defined by the licence type that you purchase as shown here https://www.berros.eu/en/itrain/pricing.php The licence for iTrain is to you personally and is transferrable across devices and operating systems. You are also permitted to run your licence on more tan one machine and if the layout is large enough to warrant then you can use iTrain in Client/Server mode - again dependent upon the licence that you purchase. PM me if you have other questions Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michael Hodgson Posted August 26, 2020 Share Posted August 26, 2020 Many thanks, I think that answers my questions Iain. I was aware of the licence options and I suspect I will be going for the full Pro version. I will probably be using a 2- or maybe even 3-screen desktop in due course, running Windows 10. At the moment I am still getting my head round the Z21 and have only used that with two smartphones so far. But the big attraction of itrain is that in principle I don't need to use hand throttles at all, just set up the routes/timetable and leave the trains to drive to signals. It is obvious that Itrain will do for me a lot of work that I might otherwise have to do in writing scripts. Other systems do this too but this certainly seems the best I have looked at so far. I know I need to get the trial licence and initially connect my laptop to it, and also to configure routers so that I can also have internet access while logged onto the layout. Unfortunately those are not the sort of thing I want to start until I am clear of current family distractions as I need to be able to concentrate on the railway without interruptions. Playing just with the unregistered version is already very promising though. My layout itself is still DC, so I have to modify that anyway. It isn't just a case plugging the Z21 in where analogue controllers currently are, as the layout hasnt' been used for a good many years and even the DC isn't ready to simply switch on. I probably have to add a lot more droppers for reliability. I might use distributed MERG DTC8 modules for occupancy detection as the Roco modules seem overpriced for what they do, but I would have to decide on the best way to interface the DTC8s to the Z21, as their output is not DCC. I have to evaluate which I would use of several known solutions to that problem. I may well be using one of the other buses on the Z21. I will also need to find a cost-efficient way of using DCC-generated events to trigger my solenoid point motors which currently work off a motley variety of distributed Capacitor Discharge modules. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted September 3, 2020 Author Share Posted September 3, 2020 Tutorial 16: Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 1) is now ready for viewing 02:30 - Five step summary 05:15 - Creating a CV Table 09:13 - Setting CV3 Acceleration, CV4 Deceleration 10:50 - Measuring and setting CV5 Max Speed 13:30 - Measuring and setting CV2 Min Speed 14:38 - Creating a Speed Profile 20:00 - Inertia Simulation - Acceleration - Deceleration - Step Delay - Step Size - Feedback Offset 3 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BlasterBob Posted September 17, 2020 Author Share Posted September 17, 2020 Tutorial 17: https://youtu.be/uBldmYVxkK4 is now on YouTube. Preparing a Locomotive for iTrain (part 2) - Reaction Delay 1 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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