DigiTrains 3.0 on Play

This release has a new feature for Hungarian users, the Station announcements. With this you can play station announcements used in Hungary on railway stations. You can select the words or phrases from drop down lists and play certain announcements based on your train movement, type, platform, etc.

I would be happy to provide this feature in other languages, especially in english and german, but for this I would need help from local people to provide the logic (proper word order) and the sounds. Please let me know if you can help: digitrains.app@gmail.com

DigiTrains 2.9 on Play: Domino Dispatcher design

Dispatcher game: Domino


New design is available for dispatcher game: Domino.

You can choose from more design in dispatcher game. Select the menu icon in the top right corner to change design:

On tablets:                         

On phones: 

In Domino design the use of Common accessory button and Unlock route button is different. You do not have to hold the buttons for 2 hand accessory change.

Use of the buttons if Adv. (Advanced security logic) is off:

· Unlock Route button releases all routes (KO)
· Common accessory button is not functional


Use of the buttons if Adv. is On:
· Unlock routes button releases routes by double touch
· Press Unlock routes button first. You can see it is on, because it lits. Then press the endpoint of an active route. The route will be released. Unlock routes button goes off.
· Accessories can be changed only if the Common accessory button is touched and set on (it lits). Then touch an accessory, it will change. The common accessory button will go off automatically.

Block occupancy release

Occupied blocks get only free after 2 seconds of unoccupied state.

Z21 Locomotive options bug fix

For Z21 users Locomotive options menu crashed in DigiTrains 2.8. Now this bug is fixed.

DigiTrains 2.8 on Play

New features:

1. You are able to enable/disable automatic speed set to zero when direction button is pressed in Traincontrol Options menu with a checkbox. This setting will apply to all locomotives. This setting has no effect when locomotive is controlled from virtual cab or with gamepad, since these control modes are to provide realistic train control. This setting can be useful for magnetic decouplers.

2. Layouts are saved automatically in Dispatcher game after leaving layout editor menu.

3. DigiTrains 2.8 was tested with latest JMRI 4.0 Production version. JMRI functions bug fix: functions are displayed in Train Control screen.

Automatic signal change depending on occupancy feedback

dispatcher game: automatic signal change depending on occupancy feedback

In layout editor after you select the block for red and press save, the highlighted track will go back to white.

At this point you can select signals to change automatically when this block is occupied. Touch the signal to select it with red rectangle. Long-touch the signal to change its status. This status represents how to set it when the block is occupied. If you ready with the selections, press the save button again. After that you can set the address and input of the bock.

During the game when the block becomes occupied, the signals will be set automatically. This way a signal can be set to red when a train passes it (using the next block after the signal).

Important notice: this automatic change happens only on the layout loaded currently. If you have a big layout and it is made in more layouts in DigiTrains and you want the automatic signal change to happen on all layouts in the current profile, then you need to set this option by pressing the top right “block” icon  in the header (highlighted with red rectangle).

If you enable the checkbox, then Digitrains will set signals belonging to occupied blocks on all of your layout in the current profile.

During thegame you can navigate to other menus. You can drive a train, Digitrains will take care of the signals in the background. 

DigiTrains 2.7 on Play

DigiTrains 2.7 release notes

dispatcher game: automatic accessory change based on occupancy

There is a new function in dispatcher game. If a block becomes occupied specified accessories (signals) can be changed automatically by DigiTrains. This useful for example to change a signal to STOP if a train goes by. 

Locomotive control with gamepad

Locomotives can be controlled with android compatible bluetooth gamepads.

Dispatcher game advanced logic: protective turnout

Protective turnouts belonging to an active route cannot be changed until the route is released. 

New locomotive picture

This is a bug fix. When you created a new picture for a locomotive its old picture was caches in some menus and did not change until program restart. Now it will be refreshed immediately.

DigiTrains on JMRI webpage

I am proud to tell you, that DigiTrains is now presented also on JMRI webpage due to the lots of users who uses DigiTrains with JMRI to control their digital model railway layout.

www.jmri.org

Dispatcher game: how to use the layout editor video

DigiTrains 2.5 available on Play

DigiTrains 2.5 release notes

Suggested steps to create your layout

1.    Put tracks and turnouts onto the gridview

2.    Add all your accessories in Accessory menu (turnouts, lights)

3.    Compare the turnout states in Accessories menu to the real layout. When your turnout is closed on your layout it must be also closed in DigiTrains. If not, long-touch the turnout and enable “Reverse accessory status” option.

4.    Match your accessories in the layout editor. Long-touch the grids where you have an accessory and select the desired accessory from the pupup menu.

5.    Now switch to command mode with the pencil icon (it must be white). Disable “Adv.” button (Advanced security logic). Touch the turnouts on the screen and compare them to the real layout. They must show the same. (For this the dispatcher game in-app product must be purchased)

6.    If any of the turnouts shows the opposite compared to the real state: long-touch the turnout in editor mode and select “Show cross part of turnout as  straight on layout”.

7.    When all of your turnouts are OK you can start to add routes. When you select a route in command mode, and not all of the turnouts are changing please check try to increase the switch delay parameter in Accessories menu for your turnouts. Long-touch the accessory in Accessories menu and type in 600 for “Switch delay”.

8.    When all of your routes are working fine, you can add block for occupancy feedback.

dispatcher game: new turnout configuration option

In layout editor the straight (Closed) state of a turnout is always the horizontal or vertical line of the turnout. Default the line in 45 degree is the curved (throwed) state. On the screenshot below you can see turnouts marked with red, where this logic is not good. On the real layout the straight state of the turnout must be shown with the 45 degree line, not the horizontal or vertical.

In this case the following must be done to achieve proper visual feedback of a turnout in layout editor and in Accessories menu as well:

Long-touch the turnout in layout editor to edit it and select “Show cross part of turnout as straight in layout”

Speed display: use current conversation bug fix

Bug fix for speed dislay when Use current is activated. Now you can change speedsteps even after selecting current speed and conversation is done automatically by DigiTrains.

Dispatcher game: adjustable grid size

Adjustable grid size in dispatcher game. 3 different size can be used depending on which is more comfortable to you. This way you can use it on your phone, tablet or even FullHD android miniPC.

Big grid:

Medium grid:

Small grid:

dispatcher game: optimized block occupancy feedback screen refresh

Video: how to use the real loco sounds in DigiTrains

Video: speed display (in km/h or mph) configuration

DigiTrains 2.3 available for download

DigiTrains 2.3 new features:

-Speed display in km/h or mph
-Search option in Train list, Accessories and Routes
-Locomotives can be assigned to groups
-New route building logic in dispatcher game

Details:

SPEED DISPLAY IN KM/H OR MPH

The speed of a train can be displayed in speedsteps, in km/h or in mph. To configure the speed display press the speed on Train control menu.

You have four possible choices:

1.   Show speedstep:No speed conversation. Just show the actual speed step.

2.   Automatic: Using a default conversation from speed steps which fits for most of the models. For more accurate speed display please select one of the other options.

3.   Use current speed: start your locomotive and increase the speed until you estimate it goes with 40 km/h (or 25 mph). Then come into this menu and press the tick to match 40 km/h (or 25 mph) for your current speed step. For more accurate speed display please select one of the other options.

4.   Calculate: Measure and select one meter (100cm) on your track (1 meter equals 1.1 yard, which is 1 yard and 1 span approx.). Accelerate your train outside of the selected block to 50% of the speed (to speed 7 in 14 speedstep mode, to speed 14 in 28 speedstep mode, to speed 63 in 128 speedstep mode). Keep this speed and with a stopper measure how much time (in seconds) it takes for the train to go along the 1 meter selected track. Type in the measured time into the editbox below. For more accurate speed display please select longer track. For example you can select 5 meters and measure the time on this longer block. At the end please devide the outcome with 5 (if you used 5 meters). You may also measure the time several times and count average.

Furthermore you can choose the unit of the speed: km/h or mph. These parameters can be set individually for each locomotive. The above mentioned speed display works properly in case of using linear speed settings in locomotive CVs. 

SEARCH OPTION IN LISTS

There is a search icon in bottom of the Train list, Accessories and Routes menu. You can filter the list for names or address based on the sort type.

Type in the address or name what you search for. The program will search for names or addresses contains your string. In case of Train list you can filter for groups or moving locomotives, too.

It shows the filtered list in case of any result.

NEW ROUTE BUILDING LOGIC IN DISPATCHER GAME

1.    Turnouts are changed first.

2.   Route path is colored to green on layout editor screen.

3.    Signal belonging to route change to green (free to go).

LOCOMOTIVE GROUPS:

You can assign your locomotives to groups. With this you can filter the train list. In case of adding a new locomotive or changing it there is a button “Add to group”. By pressing this button you can add it to an existing or new group. If you do not select a group it will be assigned automatically to group “All”.

The locomotives downloaded from JMRI will be assigned to the JMRI group if exists. In DigiTrains one train can only belong to one group, so if it is assigned to more groups in JMRI in DigiTrains it will be only showed in the first group.

Module layout for testing DigiTrains

In the last year I not only developed DigiTrains but also created a modular layout to play and for test DigiTrains. The modules are stored in the basement and put together in my living-room for a day in every month. The assemble and disassemble time is approximately 90-90 minutes. 6 person can play at the same time, 2 dispatchers using tablets and 4 engine drivers. Of course we play with DigiTrains, so I can also test the new features.

Full album can be viewed here...

DigiTrains gameplay video: advantage of quick-list

This video shows how easily you can control a 3 platfrom station and 3 engines using some of the special features of DigiTrains: quick-list, functions icons, dispatcher game with layout editor, station speaker, etc.

DigiTrains Loco Sounds user guide

Loco Sounds description

If you do not have sound decoder for a locomotive, with this solution you will be able to play certain sounds on your phone or tablet speaker. More than 25 different sounds, like horns, whistles, door sounds, etc.

The sounds can be used if you check the Sound checkbox in Function editor menu for a locomotive. (Open any of your Locomotive, touch tools icon next to the picture of the loco, touch Functions menu). In this example we will add a horn to F1.  Set F1 to Active and Touch, and set also a horn icon to it. Check the Give sound checkbox for it, too.

A new window will open. Here you can select from the sound list. The sound is played when selected. Save it.

Go back to Train Control window and press the horn icon. The sound is played by your phone speaker.

The volume of the sound is the same as your device media volume. If you do not hear the sound or you want to change the volume, be aware that in Train control window the volume buttons will adjust the speed on phones. So go to the station speaker menu and play an announcement. During the sound play press the volume buttons to set the right volume. Now you can go back to Train control and play the horn sound. Note: when you press the sound the function command is also sent to the decoder.

The Loco sounds is an In-App Product. You can try it for free and play sound for limited times. If it works fine and you like it, you may purchase it in DigiTrains Settings / In-App Products menu. Enjoy!

DigiTrains 2.2 on Play

Several new functions in DigiTrains latest version. It is available now on Google Play.

Release notes:

-Train control screen will return to the same train from the quick-list if you navigate to another window.

-Control your locomotive with volume buttons in train control menu. No need to watch the screen.

-12 new function icon for your locomotives:

-New In-App Product: Loco Sounds: If you do not have sound decoder for a locomotive, with this solution you will be able to play certain sounds on your phone or tablet speaker. More than 25 different sounds, like horns, whistles, door sounds, etc.

-If you use a black Z21, and beside the smartphones you also use Freds to control locomotives, sometimes you need to change the loco address in Freds. If you use DigiTrains you can change address in a Fred from DigiTrains Settings / Dispatch address menu.

-Optimized usage of background pictures to avoid app crash because of out of memory error on certain devices. This error usually happened on Samsung devices, where the Samsung Android OS handles the memory on a different way compared to simple Google Android OS.

-When DigiTrains used with JMRI, there was a bug in showing the locomotive pictures which have a space in their name (Roster ID). This bug has been fixed.

DigiTrains - JMRI quick start videos

I created two videos today to show how easy is to use DigiTrains with JMRI.

 It is also useful for not JMRI users, the main difference is what you select after startup in Connections menu. Of course not JMRI users (Z21, DigiWifi) must add trains, accessories by themself and create routes and layouts as well.

DigiTrains 2.1 on Google Play

I updated today the app on Play. New features:

1. JMRI compatibility

2. New sound in Station Speaker
3. Application error report in e-mail

Emergency STOP one locomotive

A new function in DigiTrains 1.9 is the emergency stop of the currently controlled locomotive. That is straightforward if you want to stop your locomotive you will press the normal STOP button on the train control screen. In this case the train will stop as it is defined in its CVs. If this is set to be like in the real world the train may stop on a quite long way. But what if you want to stop it immediately because of an emergency? You may use the Main Emergency STOP button on the top right corner, but this will stop all the trains on your layout. There is a better option now!

In Train Control menu you can LONG-TOUCH the normal STOP button between the + and - buttons. With this the currently driven locomotive will stop immediately, independent from the predefined CV values. This command will not influence the other locomotives on the layout. This functions is available on some throttles like the LENZ LH-100 (press the direction changes button).

Double Header native support in DigiTrains

Double Header

One of the new functions in DigiTrains 1.9 is a native double header support which is currently uniqe among the apps for model railroading.

Double Header means the two locomotives are connected to a train. This can be only achived in model railroading if you have a command station which supports it (for example Lenz) or you set both locomotives to the same dcc address.  

DigiTrains provides a checkbox in Double Header menu where you can enable or disable the native double header operation. 

If you command station do not support double header, and you enable native operation, DigiTrains will send speed commands for both locomotives matched together in Double Header menu, no matter which one we control from Train control menu. The direction and functions can be still adjusted individually. This way you can connect one train to the other on the layout moving them separately, then just put a tick to enable double header and then move them in syncron. Of course the parameters of the locomotives should be set before to match the speeds at similar speedsteps. 

So from now you can even use the function even if you use Roco 10764 + MultiMuas or Z21 as command station.

How to use Double Header in DigiTrains: 
1. Select a loco in train library
2. Enter into Train settings menu (tools icon next to loco thumbnail)
3. Select Double Header menu
4. Set if you command station supports double header or not
5. Select which train to match to the current one
6. Go back to train control menu and set speed. Both locomotive will move.

To disable double header repeat steps 1-4. Touch the locomotive in the list which has a tick on its picture. That is the actually matched locomotive to the double header. This will disable double header.

DigiTrains 1.9 on Play

Today I updated DigiTrains app on Google Play. Release notes:

-Roco Z21 compatibility
-Loconet compatibility with Uhlenbrock 63840 Maus-Adapter
-Emergency stop only the controlled locomotive
-Block occupancy feedback display on layout for dispatchers
-Security logic for dispatcher game
-Bug fix in station speaker announcements
-Double Header - control of two locomotives with one command even if the command station do not support it

Before any update I always test a lot. Not only the functions, but I also test the app on different screen sizes and android versions. If you experience any issue when using the app please let me know on this e-mail: digitrains@digitools.hu . This way I can fix the problems if any.

If you already downloaded the app please rate it on Google Play. Thanks.