Looped Layouts With SML (Part 2)
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I posted about a solution to a looped layout SML validation failure when using layout editor paths, block and turnout details. This worked until we started making updates to the layout. The original post here: /g/jmriusers/message/238981 - not sure how relevant this is to the discussion at this point but it offered a hack for weird behavior at the time. Now I question my understanding of what SML is trying to do when connected to the layout. I realize this is long and confusing - but it is driving me nuts.
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To level set - the "correct" path below (1050/1060/1070/1000) is between source mast 1050 eastbound and destination mast 1000 westbound (green line/square). The problem is the SML gets confused and tries to go the other "wrong" path (1030/1020/1010/1000) and then warns that 1070 eastbound mast already exists between the blocks (red line/square). The logic is not wrong per se - but it's not what we want and there is no way to force it without brute force...
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The only way we figured out how to brute force the SML to take the "right" path is to merge the 1000 block tracks into a single track without the anchor points (see below image). The 1000 block is the the dashed line from 1000 on the left to 1070 on the right (above image) before merging. Is there any other way to force the path between signal mast pairs in a looped layout? Why would the extra anchor points between "tracks" confuse the SML - it is all the same block - the anchor points were just to bend the visual?
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Minor issue - the fix goofs up the visual symmetry of the layout (below) since the dashed part of the 1000 block is normally hidden and the layout is conceptually linear. By the way - we validated the same issues on track 4 (4000 block) and merging multiple splits in the same block fixed the issue there as well.
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More info below:
- The routing table shows the metric is higher for the 4 hops East (the correct direction). Is it the extra anchors connecting the track? Does this even impact the SML or is this just routing?
- You can see the signal masts set at the block boundaries
- And then you see the signal mast pairs dialog box
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