Re: Problem with download - colors don't show up
The track was likely made with a special Environment file that you don't have. For example, there is an Environment file I have to give your wood coasters a steel support structure look, but you have to make your colors grey for it to work. So if you don't load the file with the track in the Simulator, the track comes out all grey.
As for the Math... I actually do a lot of math with my NL tracks. I do mostly eyeball the shape of the hills, but make sure both sides are exactly symmetrical most of the time, but as for turns, I use a formula that I derived from a really nice track I got when I first started using NoLimits about 8 years ago.
For starters, set the grid to 1ft increments in both X and Y axes and in all views. Then to get more precision, set the Snap increment to 0.5ft. This is what I keep my grids set to. Now to make a good 90 degree curve, try this.... Start at the intersection of two Major grid lines (increments of 10ft) and set your end point 40ft to the right and 40ft up, thus a 40ft radius. Now the length of the spline handles is calculated as follows. Take the radius of the turn (40ft in this example) times 0.5225: 40ft x 0.5225 = 20.9ft. Round to the nearest 0.5ft. So stretch the two handles (tangent to the direction of the curve) 21ft and you'll have a nicely shaped curve. With the recent version of NL, you can finally paint different portions of the track different colors. I highly recommend upgrading to the latest and greatest.
Don't make a single curve segment more than 90 degrees, as it will become distorted. Instead, make multiple segments. To make a curve less than 90 degrees, start with a full 90 degree turn and then split the segment into pieces until you have the approximate angle of curvature, then get rid of the unwanted pieces.
This all may sound like too much math, but once you understand how to approach these things, it becomes a very simple process that you can do without really thinking about it.
If after you split your curve and the endpoint doesn't land on a grid dot, do a Select All and slide the endpoint to a grid dot (along with the rest of the track) and continue working from that point. If you have a straight section going off at an angle (other that perpendicular to the grid) look for patterns in the grid dots to figure out where your next endpoint should go so that it maintains a constant angle from where you started so you avoid kinks in the track.
Banking adds a whole new complexity to all of this though. With banking you want to place your points so that the heartline doesn't have kinks in it.
AV Matt
Long live the Big Bad Wolf