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Mac Magazin/MacEasy 42
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Mac Magazin and MacEasy Magazine CD - Issue 42.iso
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ScaleCalc PPC 0.2 ƒ
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ScaleCalc Read Me
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1998-01-01
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ScaleCalc
ScaleCalc is a set of simple model railroad calculators which include a
scale convertor, a grade calculator, and a helix calculator. Each of
these calculators is presented in its own window. You may have as many
of each window open as memory allows.
ScaleCalc is email-ware. If you like it, send me email. Please feel free
to include complaints, comments and suggestions.
The Scale Calculator
The scale calculator is the simplest of the windows to operate. Just
enter a set of measurements in either the unscaled or the scaled
section, select a scale and click on the arrow pointing to the other
section. For example, entering 1 in the miles box and clicking on the
downward arrow will generate a scaled measurement of 60 feet 7 and 7/16
inches. (Note: If you follow this by clicking on the upwards arrow, the
result will be 5279 feet, 11 and 51/64 inches. Since measurements are
only kept to the nearest 1/64 of an inch, some accuracy is lost.)
Conversion between scales is a two-step process best illustrated by
example. If an HO-scale object (say a car) measures 10 (real) inches,
and you want to know the size of the same object in N scale, enter 10
into the inches box in the scaled section. Select HO as the scale and
click on the upwards arrow. Then select N as the scale and click on the
downwards arrow. The scaled section will now show a length of 7 and 7/16
inches.
The Grade Calculator
To use the grade calculator, fill in any two of the four factors:
horizontal distance, incline (track distance), rise, or grade. For grade
use the percent, such as 2.5. Click on the "Use" radio buttons for the
factors that you want to base the calculation on and the "Compute" radio
buttons for the two factors that you want to compute. This will make the
"Compute" push button at the bottom of the window active. Click it to
calculate. Note: Exactly two "Use" radio buttons must be on to make the
Compute push button active.
Only for very high grades or very long grades will there be any
noticable difference in the horizontal and the incline distances.
The Helix Calculator
For the helix calculator, three of the four factors must be filled in.
Here the factors are total rise, radius, number of turns, and grade. You
may use a decimal point in the radius, turns, and grade boxes. (For
example, 3.5 turns or 36.5 inches radius.) As in the grade calculator,
exactly the right number of "Use" radio buttons must be on for the
"Compute" push button to be active.
Rise per turn is computed because it must be enough to allow
clearance for train, track and supporting structure.