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A number of 3rd PlanIt users have asked how to make a monorail. This is best done as follows.
First, use "Action / Modify Layers... (Ctrl+D)" to dedicate or create a Layer for Monorail track. Double-click that Layer to bring up the Modify Layer property sheet, Layer Properties page, as shown in the first image. Name the layer Monorail and check the box labeled "Hide Rails and Ties".
Change to the Ballast and Roadbed Property Page, as shown in the second image. Here you can design the profile of the monorail track, which is typically a cement beam with a regular shape along its length. Make sure to check the "Add bottom surface" box at the bottom, so the monorail track looks correct when viewed from below. Close the Modify Layer property sheet by pressing OK.
When you have marked a layer to "Hide Rails and Ties" in this manner, the 2D view will always show a centerline that allows you to edit the monorail track as you would any other track object. Even with "Track On/Off" set to On, only the centerline shows in 2D regardless of zoom magnification. The third image shows the 2D view of a piece of SoftTrak in the monorail layer. This composite image shows the same track in two ways: the top copy of the track is displayed in Color By Layer mode (Alt+L), while the bottom copy is shown in Color By Type mode (Alt+Y pressed twice to show internal details, the tangents and easements that form the SoftTrak object). You can freely edit track in the Monorail Layer as you would any typical track objects.
When you swap to 3D (shortcut is the Tab key), you'll see the monorail track with the profile defined in the Monorail Layer Ballast and Roadbed page, as seen in Image 4. The 3PI file used in this example is included for your review. You can define a more complex track profile by including a second layer of ballast and/or roadbed in the Ballast and Roadbed page.
It's that easy! The same technique can be used to define streets, with a profile that is wider and less thick.
First, use "Action / Modify Layers... (Ctrl+D)" to dedicate or create a Layer for Monorail track. Double-click that Layer to bring up the Modify Layer property sheet, Layer Properties page, as shown in the first image. Name the layer Monorail and check the box labeled "Hide Rails and Ties".
Change to the Ballast and Roadbed Property Page, as shown in the second image. Here you can design the profile of the monorail track, which is typically a cement beam with a regular shape along its length. Make sure to check the "Add bottom surface" box at the bottom, so the monorail track looks correct when viewed from below. Close the Modify Layer property sheet by pressing OK.
When you have marked a layer to "Hide Rails and Ties" in this manner, the 2D view will always show a centerline that allows you to edit the monorail track as you would any other track object. Even with "Track On/Off" set to On, only the centerline shows in 2D regardless of zoom magnification. The third image shows the 2D view of a piece of SoftTrak in the monorail layer. This composite image shows the same track in two ways: the top copy of the track is displayed in Color By Layer mode (Alt+L), while the bottom copy is shown in Color By Type mode (Alt+Y pressed twice to show internal details, the tangents and easements that form the SoftTrak object). You can freely edit track in the Monorail Layer as you would any typical track objects.
When you swap to 3D (shortcut is the Tab key), you'll see the monorail track with the profile defined in the Monorail Layer Ballast and Roadbed page, as seen in Image 4. The 3PI file used in this example is included for your review. You can define a more complex track profile by including a second layer of ballast and/or roadbed in the Ballast and Roadbed page.
It's that easy! The same technique can be used to define streets, with a profile that is wider and less thick.
Attached Files