SLIF Import - iRunTrains Concept Demo

User Manual - iRunTrains v0.6 SLIF Import

Introduction

It is now possible to export your RailModeller v4.x layouts as "SLIF" files and load them into iRunTrains. Note that this feature is still considered "experimental", since it is not yet 100% reliable and has some known limitations. The rest of this page describes this new capability, how to use it, and how to avoid problems. If you encounter issues not adressed here, please let us know (using our Contacts page) so we can fix those issues. Thank you.

Importing Your RailModeller Layouts

Loading a RailModeller layout into iRunTrains is a simple 3-step process:

1) Prepare your RailModeller layout by deleting orphaned tracks and making sure that all your track sections are properly joined. Please review the Avoiding Potential Problems section below for more detail.
2) In RailModeller, select File -> Export SLIF to save your layout's SLIF file in the iRunTrains SLIF folder, which is inside the iRunTrains-Library folder where you installed iRunTrains (usually in your Applications folder).
3) Restart iRunTrains and select your layout name from the pop-up menu. Then iRunTrains will read your SLIF file and your layout will immediately appear. If not, quit and check the iRunTrains Terminal window for any error messages.

Now you should be able to see your track plan and view it from any angle. If not, review the sections below on known limitations and troubleshooting.

Adding and Removing Trains

So now you're looking at your track-plan in iRunTrains, but it has no trains on it. Why? Well, iRunTrains doesn't recognize your track-plan, so it doesn't know where to put the trains. Fortunately, you can easily add the same three trains which load automatically on our bundled track plans.

The "N" key is used to add the next available train (first train-1, then train-2, then train-3) to your track-plan. Important: The trains will always be added on the track section that is closest to where you are looking. This usually works best viewing from above using the Manual Table View. First use mouse or the "E", "S", "D", "F" and zoom keys ("+", "-", Page-Up, Page-Down) to look at the location where the train should go, then press "N". That's all there is to it.

If the added train is facing the wrong direction (or on the wrong track), you can remove it by pressing Option+Delete, then add it in reverse by pressing Shift+"N" (upper case) instead of just "N" (lower case). Once the train is added, you can drive it the way you normally would. If your new train is accidentally hanging off the end of a siding, simply drive it back on. Sorry, but you must re-add the trains each time you load your layout, since iRunTrains cannot (yet) remember their location on your layouts.

Avoiding Potential Problems

Following the tips below should allow your RailModeller layouts to load in iRunTrains with a minimum of problems.

Most of the time, you should export SLIF files using RailModeller's default standard resolution setting. The higher-resolution option looks slightly better, but it quadruples the amount of scenery data. On larger layouts, this can result in memory limitations and jerky animation due to frame-rate performance limitations.
Verify that all intended RailModeller track segments are joined. In iRunTrains, any unjoined section will render with red "bumpers" shown at the unjoined end. Normally these are only seen at the ends of sidings, so if you see red bumpers where you don't expect them, it means something at that location is not properly joined.
In most non-simple layouts, it is usually not possible to perfectly join all track sections. There will be small gaps. Although iRunTrains will usually close such gaps (up to 4 cm) automatically, this works best if you position these gaps positioned between two straight sections. So if you must leave gaps, position the gaps between longer straight (not flex) track sections if possible.
Turnouts have one extra requirement. Be certain that all legs of each turnout are properly joined to adjacent track sections with no gaps. Otherwise, these gaps may make it impossible to switch those turnouts.

Known Limitations and Troubleshooting

In iRunTrains, the trains and track are roughly equivalent to On30 rolling stock running on HO gauge track, and there is currently no way yet to change this. So although you can import any scale layout, scales that are significantly larger or smaller will not look to scale. A future release will correct this limitation.
Turntable operation is not supported at all, but any track sections that make up the turntable will be displayed.
If you contact us for assistance, please be prepared to email us your RailModeller track plan file (not SLIF file), since we will probably need it for debugging. We promise not to use, sell, or share your track plans.