I'm wanting to model real life locations, and in order to do that I need accurate terrain data. But the one problem is the only thing I've seen be able to use DEM data is TransDEM, which costs money and is a thing I do not have. So please someone tell me of any free alternatives, as I haven't found any.
Are there any free alternatives to TransDEM?
- Thread starter GT06
- Start date
johnwhelan
Well-known member
Basically the information is free but converting it into something that Trainz can use takes effort and code. If the area is small someone with a TransDEM license is feeling very nice they might set it up for you.
If you have a track record of creating a reasonable layout that might help.
Cheerio John
If you have a track record of creating a reasonable layout that might help.
Cheerio John
fant_autentico
Well-known member
There was a program called HOG (Hand of God) that I never knew how to use, it was very complicated for me. The program used DEM cartographic maps and for those who used it correctly the result was very good. I have the orography of several routes made for me by a friend.
Regards
Regards
I used this once and it wasn't so much a complicated process but was very glitchy that would usually produce huge spikes and steps instead of a map-textured route ready for building.
Unlike TransDEM, where the user imports a DEM for the area of interest along with an orthographic image or topographic map, HOG requires preprocessing in Micro-DEM first, along with a lick and a promise with the hopes that the topology gods are smiling, before even running the data through HOG. Micro-DEM also has issues running on modern computers and operating systems. Some antivirus programs have a hissy fit every time the program is run causing it to crash.
For $35 or so Dollars/Euros, it may be less or more these days, it's worth the price and also the learning curve. Besides, that learning curve isn't as steep as people think it is. There's a lot of options that we usually don't need and they can be ignored until some other time.
fant_autentico
Well-known member
You're probably right about TransDEM, I can't comment on it but I'm a bit of a caveman with these things when I hear "learning curve" I get "the hairs on my prehistoric back".
For me it would be perfect if someone did Trainz-TransDEM orography on request and at a reasonable price. Of course, perhaps that possibility already exists.
Regards, Javier
How did you buy the game to begin with?
TransDEM costs less then the game the last time I checked.
He might have spent all his money on the game.
Could have been a gift? Christmas, birthday, some other gifting reason?
We don't know the ops age, or financial situation. Could be anything.
Rico
Yes, Trainz 2019 was given to me as a birthday present.Could have been a gift? Christmas, birthday, some other gifting reason?
We don't know the ops age, or financial situation. Could be anything.
Rico
Trainz 2009 I got my hands on from a free giveaway that happened at some point. I have to say this about Trainz 2009, the content creator plus is a God send, I love the thing.
TransDEM has many options, most of which you don't need to get a map into Trainz, ready for you to create a route.
There is a very good tutorial on Youtube TransDEM tut to help you get started.
Given some extra data, TransDEM can also place splines for various features in your map, tracks, roads, sidewalks, etc. These can then be used to quickly build your map. Note that TransDEM tends to add a lot of extra spline joints that are not really necessary so you'll be spending some time simplifying the splines. It can also paint the ground with various features to help you place objects without having to measure offsets from know positions.
Once you've made a few, it will become your goto when starting a route based on a prototypical location, even if you eventually go your own way, it gives you a place to start.
There is a very good tutorial on Youtube TransDEM tut to help you get started.
Given some extra data, TransDEM can also place splines for various features in your map, tracks, roads, sidewalks, etc. These can then be used to quickly build your map. Note that TransDEM tends to add a lot of extra spline joints that are not really necessary so you'll be spending some time simplifying the splines. It can also paint the ground with various features to help you place objects without having to measure offsets from know positions.
Once you've made a few, it will become your goto when starting a route based on a prototypical location, even if you eventually go your own way, it gives you a place to start.