Coaster Dynamics: Help



Coaster Dynamics
Help about:

Coaster Dynamics' Program Options
The following program options can be accessed by clicking the "Options" button in the Coaster Dynamics Main Menu.



  • Intro Page:   By default, Coaster Dynamics will start by displaying an "Introduction Page" -- which offers you the chance to get information about Coaster Dynamics and the Coaster Lab. This information is useful for new users of Coaster Dynamics. If you want to skip the "Introduction Page", and go directly to the main Coaster Dynamics screen, click on "Off" next to "Intro Page".

  • Audio:   To turn the audio off, click on "Off" next to "Audio". This will turn the audio feature off in Coaster Dynamics -- it will not turn off the audio capability of your computer.

  • Design Constraints:   By default, during the design of your roller coaster track, Coaster Dynamics will enforce the following Track Design Contraints:

    1. the roller coaster car cannot go backwards,
    2. the speed at the end of the track must be less than 5 m/s,
    3. the maximum force on the rider cannot exceed 5 G's.

    To turn the Design Constraints off (this is the only way, for instance, to allow the roller coaster car to roll backwards), click on "Off" next to "Design Constraints".

    With the Design Constraints on,
    Design Hints can be either on or off. However, the Design Constraints must be on for the Design Hints to be available.

  • Track Design Hints:   By default, during the design of your roller coaster track, Coaster Dynamics will pause and provide Design Hints when a problem occurs -- for instance, when the G Force in a loop is too large, or the speed is too slow or too fast. The Design Hints will suggest a way to correct the problem, and offer further information which will allow you to calculate a solution to the problem.

    If you want to turn the
    Design Hints off, click on "Off" next to "Track Design Hints". For Design Hints to be available, Design Constraints must also to turned on.

  • Save Track:   At any time, if you want to save your roller coaster track, you can do so by clicking on "Save Track". The track geometry parameters defining your track will be saved in the specified file.

    You will be asked for a file name to identify your track. This name be can anything you want -- however, the name should not include any spaces in between the letters. If the name is more than 8 characters long, the name printed in the display will be shortened, with only the first 6 characters and the last character shown. However, the full file name will be valid and recognized by the program.


  • Load Track:   To restore a track that you have previously saved, click on "Load Track". You will be shown the names of all the saved tracks, and asked to pick the one you want. Loading a saved track will delete the track currently being designed.

  • Delete Track:   To delete a previously saved track, click on "Delete Track". You will be shown the names of all the saved tracks, and asked to pick the one you want to delete. After selecting a track, you will be asked to confirm your selection. Once a track is deleted, it cannot be recovered.