Frequently asked questions:
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What are the system requirements ? SlotMan runs on PCs running Windows 95/98/ME/NT4/2000 oder XP. Each PC running one of these systems should be running SlotMan as well. |
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Is there a SlotMan version available for Win3.1, MS-DOS, Linux, MaxOS, Amiga, BeOS ... ? No. Such versions wonŽt become available in the future. |
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Where is the data used by SlotMan stored ? All data (track system description, track layouts, configuration, lap tables etc.) are stored in the file slotman.dat which is located in the SlotMan program folder. |
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SlotMan is available in english and german. Is there a a way of translating it to more languages ? Yes Download a language file ,rename it (e.g. "francais.glf") and translate it using a standard text editor. Please EMail me with the new file so I can prepare it for download. |
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Does a future version of SlotMan have to be translated again ? A language file from an old version can be reused. Messages that have been added will be displayed in the default language which may be english or german. These messages may be translated later on. |
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Which files from the download section are required ? At first download the SlotMan program files (setup or ZIP-File). Then download the online help. If you plan to edit track layouts, a start file for the track brand youŽre using is helpfull. |
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I own track sections of different brands. Can I mix them in one layout ? Track sections of different brands may be mixed within a track layout as long as they fit (maybe using adpater sections). If youŽre using brands that donŽt fit each other (e.g. Tyco and Scalextric), you can choose them in the starting-windows of the planning-engine (brand has to be imported in slotman before that). |
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When I start SlotMan first, a slotman.dat-file is created containing parameters for the Carrera track system. How can I use track brand XY ? Download the corresponding Brand System and unzip it to your SlotMan program folder. Then "Manage" - "Track-System", give a new name and import the new system. |
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IŽve got track sections from Ninco and Scalextric. Can I combine them in a single layout ? Yes. Download the scalextric track system library and unzip it to the SlotMan program folder. The import it (Manage/Track Systems...) as the second track system. Note that youŽll have to configure the adapter straights to join The Ninco system with the Scalextric sections (see online help). |
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IŽm using a track systems for which there is no SlotMan track system library available. In this case youŽll have to do it yourself ;-) Setup the basic information in "Manage/Track Systems...", check "expanded view" and create your own sections. In the end please export the libraries and EMail me with it. |
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Why canŽt I use loopings ? Works since SlotMan 10.3.8 Probabely you have an older version? |
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My track system has got new section which are not included in slotman. Again: do it yourself ;-) "Manage/Track Systems...", choose your track system, check "expanded view" and create the missing parts. |
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For a test IŽm planning a layout that IŽve already used. In reality the first an last track sections fit but the track editor leaves a gap between these two sections. In reality the layout can be moved and bent. Depending on the type of layout and track brand used gaps of 50mm or more may be "corrected" this way. |
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Can I construct a floor plan of the room ? Yes. Go to the floor planning in the construction window. Do the floor planning there and give the plan a name - so you can easily identify it later on. |
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After exporting layouts into a track layout libraries and reimporting the track layout looks changed. The layout is being stored in the library track-system independently to be usefull to users using other track brands. That means that not the sequence of track sections is used but the general layout. Track layouts are saved automatically in the file slotman.dat. |
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How can I configure the suggestion function for the additional power terminals ? Use "Track Systems" and define a straight as an additional power terminal and the count available. The track editor uses this information for the automatic placement of additional power terminals. |
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Is there a possibility of measuring the maximum speed ? Yes. This can be achieved for 2-lane layouts. Place the split-time-sensors about one meter after the start/finish-sensor. SlotMan then calcualtes the maximum speed and the scale speed. |
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Can the lane setup be altered during a timing session ? This can be done while in practice mode by clicking "Lanes". This function would not be usefull in other modes (e.g. races). |
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Is there a way of creating signals from other hardware than the Racecontrol sensorbox ? Nu. The timing can only be done via the sensorbox. For testing purposes the signals may be generated by the random generator which is built into SlotMan. The support of other hardware is built in but only signals for split times etc. are supported via LPT-port. |
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Is there a way of controlling starting lights and track power ? Yes. Signals from the LPT for these purposes are supported. |
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How can I built the electronics for controlling starting lights and track power ? Diagrams are available on the internet. See the links section for more information. |
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Refuelling does not seem to work. The Racecontrol hardware does not support static signals. This function only works with chassis that create a very strong signal (chassis made of metal). Therefore there will be support for signals from the LPT or gameport for this kind of functionality in future version. |
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Sometimes I get very fast laptimes that are impossible to achieve. Faulty signals may be created by sensors that are not firmly attached to the sections or by sensitivity values that are set too high. This should be eliminated first. In addition it is possible to configure the minimum laptime. Signals that occur before this time are ignored by the software. |
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Controlling starting lights and track power does not work under Windows NT4/2000/XP. Controlling these types of hardware also works under these versions of Windows. A special file is required to be present in the SlotMan programm folder (gwiopm.sys). This file is installed with SlotMan. The SlotMan program folder may not be present on a network driver for this function to work correctly. In addition the currently logged in user must have local administrator privileges. |
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RC-Box gets signals from the tracks, the RC-soft works, but SlotMan doesn't count the laps Slotman needs defined signals. So if there are only two of the four sensors in use, you also have to trigger the unused sensors within the configuration to let slotman know which events are used with which sensors. |