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 2.5 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

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 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.

TEMOFESZT 2014 Model Railroad Exhibition

Last weekend we were on the biggest Central-European model railroad exhibition in Hungary, the TEMOFESZT 2014. Digitools exhibited a big digital layout controlled by DigiTrains.

There were 2 stations controlled by two dispatchers with 2 10" tablet running DigiTrains android application on it:
- showing occupied blocks
- route control
- security logic: no route crossings, no route to occupied blocks
- station speake announcements

The block occupancy feedback works currently with Roco Z21 command station and Roco 10787 feedback module OR with Digitools's DigiWifi and DigiSense boards.

The new DigiTrains 1.9 will be availabe soon for download from Google Play. Follow us here on the blog or on our Facebook or Google+ page. You can find more pictures about the exhibition on on Facebook and Google+.

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 .