DigiTrains on Windows - BlueStacks

You can use DigiTrains on Windows PC or tablet by using BlueStacks android emulator.

You can download BlueStacks from here: http://www.bluestacks.com/

This emulator is about 2 GB. After installation the program turns your PC or phone into an android tablet. It can run in a window or fullscreen. Registrate your gmail account and download DigiTrains from Google Play:

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=hu.digitools.digitrains

The emulated android system will use the network of your PC or tablet. So you need to connect it to the same network where Z21, JMRI or DigiWifi is connected. In case of JMRI it can run also on the same PC of course.

By using this solution you enjoy easy-to-use user friendly DigiTrains android application on your Windows PC or tablet, and control your digital layout. I used this device to Play on my layout:

https://www.asus.com/Tablets/ASUS_VivoTab/

Important notice: you cannot install BlueStacks on a Windows Phone currently. In the near future DigiTrains will be available on Windows and IOS, too.

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.

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

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 - 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.

Track occupancy feedback short demo

The next big step in the DigiTrains development is the track occupancy feedback. This new feautre can be used for those who bought the Dispatcher game In-App product in DigiTrains and use the layout editor menu.

So far in this editor you could create your unique layout and set routes between start- and endpoints. With the two-touch route selection you are able to change group of accessories with one command and see the green path on your layout which is given to your train.

On the below picture you can see that platfrom 3 and 4 is occupied (red). I gave route from the right side to platform 5 (green). At this point all 5 turnouts and one light signal is switched automatically.

With this new development you will be able to see the occupied blocks in red color. The testing of the program is still underway and will debut on the biggest Hungarian exhibition 2 weeks later on TEMOFESZT. In the next weeks I will share more video on how it is working and how you can create layouts to use this feature. Now you can check this short demo video showing this new feature on a simple station: block occupancy demo video .