Import Civil 3D alignment to ZusiGleisplanEditor possible?

[taoroot]

Is it possible to import the alignment from Civil 3D to ZusiGleisplanEditor? I've been trying to reconstruct the alignment in editor, but I'm not able to properly connect the tangents and arcs with spirals. Is there some way to import the exact data to ZusiGleisplanEditor? Thank you

[Johannes]

You'd have to write a tool that writes .st2 files. The format is fairly readable, but it's a bit cumbersome nonetheless. ZusiGleisplanEditor itself cannot import any non-Zusi formats.

[taoroot]

Thank you, Johannes. I've noticed that the .st2 is XML type format.

In that case, is there a function in the editor to create spiral between two selected elements? I was looking for it, but maybe in the wrong place.

[Johannes]

That would be the "Absteckrechner" (Track Surveyor), if by spiral you mean a transition curve (euler spiral, clothoid).

[taoroot]

Yes spiral=transition. I can see this settings, but where to click to create a transition? Is there some shortcut?

[yxyx]

If I remember correctly in the menu "Create new elements" should be a button to insert a track surveyor transition (both elements that you want to connect need to be selected).

Best regards
yxyx

[taoroot]

Trying all F keys, it's F12 Thank you.

[taoroot]

That's probably not what I was looking for, at least, I'm not sure how to set it up correctly. I can create the arc with transitions between two tangents without problem, but not a single transition between tangent and curve.

[Tomas9970]

I think you can try doing it by setting the track surveyor to only add transition curve at the start (on the side where you have the straight track) and set the desired curve radius to match the curve you are connecting to (so that there is no jump) but it will never line up and you have to manually drag the result over to the other end. Other option is having the radius set to automatic and move the straight track left and right until you get something close (like no one can tell if the radius is 305 meters instead of 300) and this will line up in most situations but the curve radius also defines where you straight is going to be, which is unavoidable in this case.

This way, you can for example make a switch with the diverging track continuing as a curve and then easing out into a straight. As for compound curves (the ones that change radius in the middle), that's probably not possible to do automatically.

[taoroot]

Thank you for help, Tomas, I'll try it, too. So far, I've been able to figure out the tangents and spirals in the .st2 file and can create exactly the same transition as in my drawing, but I'm struggling a bit with arcs, not able to specify the starting and ending point, since it looks like these parameters are being ignored and angles and circle center are probably most important. But since the tangents and transitions are exactly in place, I should be able to draw a circle and it should connect directly to the other transition.

[Johannes]

Yes, the track editor ignores some of the data in the .st2 file and recalculates it instead. Details (in German): https://zusiwiki.echoray.de/wiki/Erg%C3 ... lan_(.st2)

[taoroot]

Thank you.

[Tomas9970]

So, I looked a bit more into this and there are a few more things that don't feel quite right.

1.) Do you actually need to import directly from Civil 3D? Track layouts usually aren't so complex that you couldn't re-create them by hand in a reasonable amount of time. Other than that, you will likely need to post-process the import quite a lot like replacing all switches with Zusi switch-kits, setting track types, re-creating gradient profiles in ways that Zusi understands, etc. so you likely aren't going to save a lot of time. I think it will be better to just export the track plans from Civil 3D and re-create them in Zusi using regular route-building techniques.

2.) I see you are working on the station of Bánská Bystrica as your test module. Do you intend to create a Slovakian route in the end? If so, you will have to make all the infrastructure so Slovakian switch kits, signals, catenary and other things and that's quite a bit of work. Infact it's much more work than Austria that got a good starting point already in the game files.

3.) Just a small one but I think folder structures should be in language of the country that they are related to so it should be Routes/Slovensko rather than Routes/Slovakia.

[taoroot]

Hi Tomas, interesting points, I have thought about it.

1. I just wanted to try to create in ZUSI, since I already have the C3D alignments with all the data and I can export it into a spreadsheet. I wanted to try to process the data to save myself time and have more realistic layout. I miss some tools to create more precise layout in ZusiGleisplanEditor, so importing the data would provide, for example, exact shape and location of transition curves and also advanced transitions between compound and reverse layouts. And it's only for the main track(s) since creating switches, etc. would be too complicated to process for me. So plan was - import main track and then do the rest in editor.

2. Yes, that was the idea, creating the Slovakian route. Maybe someone would be inspired and would be willing to create some models. But that depends on my available time (not much, really) and willingness of other people that might be interested.

3. Well, in my opinion, it's much better if there is a common language used and if working in multi-language environment. For me, it makes sense to have everything in English, since more people are able to understand it.

[Tomas9970]

Ok. Good luck on your project then.

Also serious offer for you: I'm professionally working for Czech railways doing security equipment maintanance and therefore have unlimited access to it and so on. Since the differences between Czech and Slovakian equipment are little to none (most of it is back from Czechoslovakia and is still being made like the AŽD 70 signals or EP600 electrical switches), I could easily get you pictures to help with texturing or otherwise provide informations that could make things easier for you.

Last but not least, Zusi 3 currently has no vehicles (except for the Velaro D) that support 25kV AC power even when they do in the real world (like Vectron MS, BR 189 or versions of TRAXX 2). But that would have to be added either by Carsten or the individual authors.

[taoroot]

Thank you very much for the offer, that sounds really interesting. I'll get in touch with you in DM.