I have the following tables that manage the routes that Train Drivers have the competence to drive trains over:

 

Train Drivers ->Competent Route Sections<-Route Sections

 

Managing data this way is fine but do you get a much better overview if this data can be seen geographically on a map. The route gaps can be seen easily where it would be logical for a Train Driver to learn next etc. We do have geographical maps to show this but they are currently managed in word documents, changing a line on a route map from default black to red when a Train Driver is competent on that route. Works ok, but there's the possibility of sync issues using two different systems.

 

I've been wondering if it would be viable to do this in FM, taking into account how difficult and time consuming it would be to set up. How would I do this? I was thinking pre-drawn route section lines in a container field in the Route Sections table, with these container fields overlaying the geographical map layout. I'm sure this can be done somehow, if a Train Driver isn't competent on any Routes Sections then the map lines are black (default), the Route Sections the Train Driver is competent on should be red. Therefore when records are added or deleted from the Competent Route Sections table the Train Drivers geographical route map redraws automatically. I love the idea but I'm unsure how to tackle it and the difficulty involved. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

 

 

Is this any help?

 

http://hbase.net/2012/07/02/simple-static-map-overlays-in-filemaker-pro/

Thanks for the link, I think something like this would work. I'm not sure I'm at the right skill level just now.

I'm a novice myself, but looking at that solution, it does seem achievable at our skill level.

Hopefully if I'm saying anything really wrong, someone will jump in!

 

The database bit is just to have a separate field for each section of route.  Each one would contain the graphic for that route.

You'd then need a layout where each field was stacked on top of each other - you'd have to make their backgrounds transparent.

Then all you'd have to do is select which routes a driver could do, to show which fields got shown.

 

I think my first approach would be a table for drivers. A table for routes and then a join table to connect the two (this could even have the relative certificates etc.)

 

Working out the graphics could be a bit tricky though!!

 

Good luck; hope you haven't given up; it sounds really interesting!

 

Cheers,

Mike