Dispatcher game: how to use the layout editor video

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.

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.

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 .

DigiTrains - Loconet compatibility development

I had the possibility to make test with an Intellibox recently. This command station uses Loconet protocol. As you may know DigiWifi uses XPressNet protocol, so for long time I was thinking how we can be compatible with Loconet. In the last two weeks I worked on this solution.

I decided to solve this issue with an Uhlebrock 63840 Maus-Adapter, which actually converts XPressNet siganals to Loconet.

I realized that this adapter has some differencies in the usual XPressNet protocol, so I needed to change the software in DigiWifi and also in DigiTrains. The now Loconet compatibility feautre will be available soon in DigiTrains 1.9 and in DigiWifi 2.1. With this you can use the dispatcher game even with a Loconet command station. See this short video made during my tests this weekend.

To use this feature you need to enable Loconet Maus-Adapter feautre in DigiTrains. DigiTrains will tell to DigiWifi to use Uhlenbrock 63840 Maus-Adapter compatible communication. This adapter can be used with Uhlenbrock command stations: DAISY, Intellibox, Twincenter and other Loconet command stations.
Despite the fact that this adapter supports only 3 MultiMauses, since DigiWifi behaves like only one MultiMuas you can use as many android device as many you like.

I plan to test it also on a  Fremo event in the near feature, with an addon which makes DigiTrains similar to a FRED. That means you will be only able to control one locomotive. This locomotive can be only changed with a DigiWifi adminstrator password.

Differences in DigiTrains when use it in Loconet compatibility mode:

·        -No locomotive information queries

·        -No accessory information queries

·        -CV programming not available (CV can be programmed only on Command Station)

DigiTrains 1.8 update on Play

I updated DigiTrains today on Play. You find the following new functions in it:

New accessory icons (the bottom row).

You can change the name and address of locomotives, accessories and routes.

In Profiles menu you will see the active profile. You also have the possibility to load an empty profile at any time to start from scratch.

New track elements in dispatcher game layout editor menu. Now you can make crossings.

New layout design in Train control menu for tablets. you can control two locomotives at the same time. On the right panel you can slide between the quick-list locomotives. In the middle panel you can choose what to see: accessories, routes or station speaker.

Brand new design in the whole app.

DigiWifi 2.0

DigiWifi can be purchased in shops or on www.digitools.hu for 6 month now. It is used by individuals and some clubs as well. We got several feedbacks, and we made some changes based on them.

The new version is called DigiWifi 2.0 and it supports unlimited android device connections. So by purchasing one DigiWifi for the price approximately 260€ you can play with as many android handheld as many you have. So friends, kids from the neighbourhood can come and play on their phones. Knowing that one MultiMaus costs something like 140€, if you do not play alone then it worth to use DigiWifi and DigiTrains.

There are serveral new functions also in DigiTrains 1.7, for example the graphical route control module, called dispatcher.