# 2.7.2 Turnouts

Turnouts have an active endpoint (Section B.2) which is the handle used to position the Turnout. You can change the active endpoint by a Shift+Left-Click which causes the next endpoint to become Active.

If you Left+Drag a turnout onto a track, the active endpoint (Section B.2) is aligned with the selected track. On flex-track, you can flip the turnout by moving the cursor from one side of the track centerline to the other. On another turnout, the new turnout will be placed at the endpoint closest to the cursor.

XTrackCAD will automatically connect the turnout's endpoints to any other tracks they are aligned with. The number of endpoints that will be connected is displayed on the Status Bar, as well as the Maximum displacement between these endpoints and the tracks they will be connected to. XTrackCAD will adjust the position of the Turnout to give you the best fit for locating the turnout. You can override this adjustment by holding down the Shift key while Dragging.

Right+Drag (Section B.1) can be used to rotate the turnout on the layout. Shift+Right-Click (Section 3.4) displays a pop-up menu allowing you to rotate the turnout by various angles.

When you press the Space key, the turnout is positioned on the layout. Any tracks that are aligned with any of the turnout's endpoints will be connected to the turnout automatically. If you are using the Turnout (Section 2.1.8) command then you can also click the OK button on the dialog.

If you choose another turnout or change commands after beginning to place a turnout on the layout, the turnout will be created as if it is attached to another track. Otherwise it will be removed.

If the Drawing Scale is smaller or equal to the Label Scale (Section 2.10.3) then Turnouts will be labeled with their description when drawn. The individual labels can be can be turned off by the Move Description(Section 2.2.9) command, or all Turnout labels can be disabled by using the Display (Section 2.10.3) dialog. As well, the length of any connected Flex-track will be indicated at each endpoint.

Refer to Section 2.1.8 for information pertaining to use of the Turnout dialog.