More Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Parts Compiler?
The Parts Compiler (included as part of WinRail DeLuxe, with a "light" version in WinRail Standard) is a program used for the development of the libraries. You just have to create an ASCII-text file, containing detailed descriptions of each of the track or structure elements. The compiler then creates a binary file that can be loaded into WinRail.
WinRail Standard includes a limited version of the Parts Compiler that can be used for defining structures, but not track elements. WinRail DeLuxe includes all the source definitions for the libraries supplied with WinRail - these are a valuable source of ideas and techniques if you choose to define your own libraries.
Some examples:
This straight track is created by the following lines:
Straight "Fl-6101" "1/1" 200 30 ; Fleischmann 6101, length 200mm, width 30mm (incl. roadbed)
Price 2.25
EndStraight
Curves are just as simple:
Curve "Fl-6125" "R2 - 36°" 420 36 30 ; Radius 420 mm, 36°, 30mm wide
Price 2.90
EndCurve
Even turnouts are very simple, as long as the curved section is a simple curve without straight section attached:
Turnout_Left "Fl-6172" "elec. turnout left" 30 ; width 30mm
Straight 200 ; The straight section is 200 mm long
Curve 647 18 0 ; The curved section (18°) has a radius of 647mm and starts at the left-hand boundary of the straight section.
Price 34.20
EndTurnout
Crossings:
DoubleSlip_Left "Fl-6166" "Elec. double slip left" 30 18 200 210 647 ; width 30 mm, angle 18°,
; Length of straight track 200 mm,
; Length of crossing track 210 mm, radius 647 mmPrice 53.50
EndCrossing
The definition of structures works by defining geometrical shapes and coordinates:
Structure "Fa-342" "Edeka-Markt ""Friedrichsen"""
Price 46.00
Polygon ; As you can see, there are some more commands available that not only save work,
59 0 ; but also speed up the drawing.
162 0 ; Here, for example, the Polygon command was used to draw the surrounding of the building.
221 102 ; Internally within WinRail, it is translated into only one call to the Windows API.
162 204
59 204
0 102
EndPolygon
Line 59 0 162 205
Line 162 0 59 204 ; bottom right to upper left
Line 0 102 221 102 ; and the middle line.
EndStructure