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JMRI: Preferences Window

The preferences window is where you configure the basic operation of your JMRI application.

The screen is split into two sections, on the left hand side is a list of the preference groups that can be set. Clicking on each preference will then populate the right hand side, with the various options that can be configured.

Connections
Defaults
File Locations
Start Up
Display
Messages
Roster
Throttle
WiThrottle

Perhaps the most important control is at the bottom of this section: The "Save" button!

Be sure to click "Save" when leaving this window. Your changes to the preferences don't take effect until the program is stopped and restarted, so the program will prompt you to do that after saving the preferences.

Cute image of work This page is under construction. In the meantime, there's some more information on preferences on some tutorial pages.

Connections

You can select any of the various JMRI layout connections here.

Each connection has its own unique tab, to get started, first select your DCC System Manufacturer, followed by the type of connection that you are using. You will then be presented with a series of most commonly required settings that need to be set. If you need to change some of the more advanced settings then connection then check the "Additional Connection Settings" box and this will provide you with further details.

To add an additional connection click on the tab with a "+", this will then present you with a fresh connection tab. To remove a connection, in the system manufacture drop down list, select (none selected) and this will remove the configuration for that connection.

For more information on how to configure this for your particular hardware, see the hardware pages.

Remember to press save!

Defaults

If you are using multiple connections of the same type, e.g. multiple LocoNet connections, this pane lets you select which one is connected to e.g. the CV programmer you want to use.

File Locations

 These allow you to set the default location for where scripts and user files are loaded and saved to.

Note that when changing the "User File Locations" this will also change the default location for where the following are stored.

Panels
Rosters
Operations
Throttle
Resources
Dispatcher options
Operations
Rps

Start Up

 This deals with all the preferences that are invoked at start up such as loading panel files and running scripts.
Actions
This section lets you have the program automatically execute various menu selections at startup. For example, you can have the Turnout Table automatically open, or automatically open a window for programming on the main.

For example, to automatically open the Turnout Table, click the "Add Action" button in this section of the advanced preferences. From the list that's presented, select "Open Turnout Table". Don't forget to save your updated preferences with the button at the bottom of the screen!

Buttons
This allows you to add extra buttons to the main JMRI window that are connected to specific menu choices.

For example, to add a button that will open the Power Control when clicked, click the "Add Action" button in this section of the advanced preferences. From the list that's presented, select "Open Turnout Table". Don't forget to save your updated preferences with the button at the bottom of the screen! From the list that's presented, select "Open Power Control". Don't forget to save your updated preferences with the button at the bottom of the screen! The button will appear when you next start the program.

Files
This section lets you automatically load panel files when the program starts up. The previous sections will have already executed, so any actions they're configured for will have taken place. You can load as many panel files as you'd like; each will be completely loaded before the next is started.

Click "Add File", which will open a file section window in which you can select the desired file. If you later want to stop loading the file at startup, click the "Remove" button next to the filename.

Scripts
This section lets you automatically run a script file when the program starts up. The previous sections will have already executed, so any actions they're configured for will have taken place and all panel files will have been loaded. You can run as many script files as you'd like; each will be run to the end of the file before the next is started.

Click "Add File", which will open a file section window in which you can select the desired file. If you later want to stop executing a particular script at startup, click the "Remove" button next to the filename.

Display
GUI
These radio boxes allow you to select how the program looks. The available choices depend on what kind of computer you have, and not all of the following may be available:
  • Metal - the default Java style, usable on all computers
  • CDE/Motif - A Linux/Unix form that works well with X Windows screen managers. It's also available on (almost) all computer types.
  • Windows - only available on Microsoft Windows systems, this makes the program look as much as possible like a regular Windows application.
  • Mac OS X - only available on MacOS, this makes the program look like a Macintosh application
Locale
Many people have contributed "internationalizations" of JMRI. This converts (much) of the text on the screen to a language other thank English. If you select your country or region and language here, then save and restart the preferences, JMRI will use an internationalization for that country and language if it's available. Items that have not been translated will continue to appear in English, so you won't miss anything. For more information on how to set this up, and particularly how to contribute new and improved translations, please see our internationalization page.
Console
This allows you to customize the way that the JMRI System Console looks. It is possible to select from a number of pre-defined color schemes and to choose the font size and style. Also, you can choose to save both the size and location of the System Console window so that it always appears in the same place and at the same size.

Messages

 This allows you to change the way that information and warning messages are displayed in JMRI.
It will also allow you to configure a default responses and the question being displayed.

Roster
Programmer
The DecoderPro programmer allows you to select how much or how little to display of the decoder content using configurable "Programmers". You can select one at the same time you select your locomotive decoder, but this provides a convenient place to set a default so you don't have to select it each time you open a decoder.

This section also has a checkbox that lets you decide whether the DecoderPro programmer will display empty panes (tabs). Some people like to see them, even though they're empty, some people would prefer not to see them, so they don't keep trying to look at them. We provide this preference so you can choose.

Roster
Normally, the roster is stored in a standard location as part of the preferences directory. This option lets you move that somewhere else.

To configure it, click the "Set..." button and follow the directions.

The "Reset" button restores it to the default location. Note that this just changes where the program looks. If you've stored roster information elsewhere and want it back in the default location, you have to move the files there yourself.

You can also enter a default value for the "Owner" field in DecoderPro roster entries here. This fills in the value for new entries, which can save you a little bit of typing. It has no effect on existing entries, even if changed.

Throttle

 This preference pane lets you select whether the extended throttle features are available, and which ones can be used.

WiThrottle
eStop
If selected, listens for a packet to be sent from the connected mobile device. If the server does not receive any communication in the chosen time, the affected JMRI throttle will idle its train.

The chosen time is approximate, the response may be a few seconds earlier or later.

Network
Select the check box to assign a specific port number to use. Automatic will allow the computer to select an available port number.

Allowed Controls
Check boxes to allow specific features to be controlled by mobile devices. This will let you to limit what users have the ability to control.
  • Track Power - Select whether mobile devices connected through this WiFi interface can control track power.
  • Turnouts - Select whether mobile devices can control turnouts.
  • Routes - Select whether mobile devices can control routes.
  • Consists - If selected, mobile devices can build & break "Advanced Consists".
    • NMRA Format - These consists may perform better for building and controlling with WiFi devices.
    • DCC Brand-Specific - These consists should perform better when built with a WiFi device, but controlled by a throttle from the DCC manufacturer of your system.
The "Apply" button puts the current settings into effect, without saving them permanently. For a connected throttle to use the new settings, its connection must be closed and reopened.