Post #1890867
2026-04-25 16:18 UTC
right now this is very much a manual process: duplicate the paths from the ordinary route, trim them down, add them to the groups/clones/whatnot
(in Inkscape you can double click on a path to insert a node along the path, then delete the other nodes)
you could imagine an algorithm that calculates intersections to lay these check rails automatically: calculate whether it is a crossing or a switch/turnout, calculate how far away each stroke should go, and add those paths to the layout
with similar algorithms, you could create the active elements too, but it would require some work: Bézier subpaths and interpolation for flexing rails (either switch points or stub switches), and some geometry to lay out swingnose crossings.
all types of active elements also require modifications to the mask that provides for the flange clearance, at least for ideal geometry
Replies (1)
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@monoidmusician@tech.lgbt 2026-04-25 17:31
there may be some way to make the rails interact to automatically put check rails on crossings XOR switches (you would have to choose) some kind of blur/dilate filter detecting when paths cross nearby and filling in the check rails i could maaaaybe even see some trickery with circular blur leading to some kind of flare at the end of the check rails … give it a little gradient, somehow use that to taper it off but it wouldn't be as nice as having the markers at the end of the path, like this does