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