A reference page for visitors encountering unfamiliar terms in the RailCOMPLETE ecosystem.
Core concepts
DNA (Definition of Network Assets)
The collection of
customization data that configures RailCOMPLETE for a specific country or
railway system. Contains object type declarations, properties, relations,
model checks, Lua functions, and visual styling definitions. Named by analogy
to biological DNA — it encodes the “blueprint” for a national railway model.
Learn more
RailCOMPLETE (RC)
A BIM (Building Information Modeling)
plugin for AutoCAD, designed for multi-disciplinary railway infrastructure
planning. The generic software is identical in every country; national
specificity comes from the DNA.
RC Agent
A person or organization that creates and
maintains DNA customization files for a specific Infrastructure Manager. The
DNA is either created in collaboration between RailCOMPLETE AS and the
customer, or independently by the customer’s own team. Agents have programming expertise and
access to the IM’s rules and domain knowledge. Learn more
Infrastructure Manager (IM)
The organization responsible
for a national railway network (e.g., Bane NOR in Norway, DB InfraGO in
Germany, SNCF Reseau in France). The IM sets the rules and standards that DNA
encodes.
Object types
Object Type
A declaration in DNA that defines a class of
railway object (e.g., “Main Signal”, “Track Switch”, “Overhead Line Pole”).
Specifies properties, symbols, geometry, relations, and validation rules.
PlacedObjectType
The most common subclass. Physical
objects placed along alignments with full features: 2D/3D geometry,
properties, relations, model checks, and snap points. Examples: signals,
switches, axle counters, masts.
AlignmentObjectType
Linear objects representing tracks,
roads, contact wires, or earthing conductors.
AreaObjectType
Region objects defined by closed polylines.
Examples: Temporary Shunting Area, Viewport, Station area.
TableObjectType
Tabular data objects with no geometry.
Used for signal tables, interlocking tables, earthing tables.
XRefObjectType
Read-only cross-references to objects in
other DWG files. Enables multi-discipline parallel planning.
CloneObjectType
Clone/copy references to other objects.
Variant
A specific configuration of an object type. For
example, a main signal might have variants for 2-aspect, 3-aspect, and
4-aspect configurations, each with different default values and symbols.
Preset
A pre-configured insertion template that pre-fills
properties and settings for common placement scenarios.
Properties
Intrinsic Property
A built-in property present on every
object (e.g., Direction, Mileage, Name, Code). Cannot be removed from the DNA.
Custom Property
A domain-specific property declared in DNA
(e.g., “Signal has sunscreen”, “Earthing method”, “Number of aspects”). Can
have default values, enumerations, Lua formulas, and overrides.
Property Scope
The level at which a property definition
applies: Global (all object types), Discipline (all types in a discipline), or
ObjectType (one specific type).
Property Override
A customization at the object type level
that changes the default value, insert options, or visual display of a
property definition.
Lua Formula
A small Lua program attached to a property
that computes its value automatically from the database. Example:
"W"..code computes switch name “W6” from code “6”.
Relations
Relation
A typed, constrained connection between two
objects. Has a forward direction (e.g., “Is distant signal for”) and
optionally a reverse direction (e.g., “Is signal announced by distant
signal”).
Relation Space
A named category that groups object types
for relation participation. Each object type declares at most one Relation
Space. The special space “Anything” matches all object types.
Relation Definition
A container that groups related
relations and declares which source spaces participate.
Cardinality
The min/max constraints on how many relations
of a given type an object can have. Max can be unlimited.
Model checks
Model Check
A Lua program attached to an object type that
validates placement and configuration rules. Produces an OK, Warning, or Error
result displayed to the user in text and graphics.
Fouling Point
A calculated point where two tracks are too
close for safe passage. RC computes fouling points from the geometrical track
plan following rules formulated in the DNA. Signals and sensors check
themselves against relevant fouling points.
Visual elements
Layer
A CAD layer for organizing drawing elements. DNA
declares layers by discipline, with names encoding construction stages for the
Stage Manager.
Color
An RGB color definition with a semantic name,
referenced by layers, linetypes, object geometry, and annotations.
Linetype
A dash/dot pattern definition for CAD lines, with
associated color and lineweight.
Text Style
A typography definition (font, size, height
factor, width factor) used for annotations.
Annotation
A visual element for CAD representation. DNA
supports 24 annotation subtypes, from simple text labels to complex
composites.
Show Layer
A hierarchical tree structure for layer
visibility control in CAD views.
Automation and scripting
Lua
An object-oriented functional programming language
embedded in RailCOMPLETE. Used for property formulas, model checks, table
generation, automation scripts, and database traversal. Learn more
Lua Function
A reusable script declared in DNA and
organized by discipline and category. Automatically attached to objects at
creation. Can be locally overridden by users.
Embedded Function
An auto-generated Lua function tied to
an annotation. Distinct from project-level functions declared in DNA.
Architecture
DWG
AutoCAD’s native file format. RailCOMPLETE stores the
entire BIM model — including DNA — inside standard DWG files.
XRef (Cross-Reference)
AutoCAD’s mechanism for linking one
DWG file as a read-only reference in another. RC uses XRefs extensively for
multi-discipline parallel planning.
Stage Manager
An RC feature that analyzes DWG layer names
and switches layers on/off to visualize different construction phases.
DNA Mapping
A set of rules defining how to migrate an RC
DWG file from one DNA version to a new one. Published alongside new DNA
versions by the agent. Learn more
DNA Editor
The desktop application used by RC Agents to
author and maintain DNA files. Exports to XML format consumed by RailCOMPLETE.
Standards and formats
BIM (Building Information Modeling)
A methodology for
creating and managing digital representations of physical infrastructure.
RailCOMPLETE is a BIM tool specialized for railway.
IFC (Industry Foundation Classes)
An open standard for
exchanging BIM data. RailCOMPLETE supports IFC export (versions 2.3, 4.0, and
4.3).
Property Set (Pset)
A standardised collection of
properties defined in the IFC standard. RailCOMPLETE includes a Property Set
Definition Manager for entering property set definitions and default values.
railML / PlanPro / Ariane
Text-based exchange languages
for specific railway domains. These serve specific export purposes (e.g.,
capacity simulation, interlocking design) but are not suitable as authoring
formats. RailCOMPLETE is the “single source of truth”; exchange language files
are derived data.
LandXML
An XML format for civil engineering and survey
data, including track alignments. RailCOMPLETE imports alignments from LandXML
1.2.