Building real world terrain maps for Trainz.

[joshmeister]

Is there any way to take the 3d images that google earth makes and transfer certain places into Trainz to create a prototypical route? Not sure if Im wording this right But Im wanting to do a map that goes from Golden Colorado up to Black Hawk, Idaho Springs, and on out to Gunnison. What would I need to do to do this?

 

[KingConrail76]

Yes. A Payware application called TransDEM, from member "GeoPhil".

 

[captainkman]

Is there a way to scan an image with no elevation data and put it on a baseboard to place track with? I've got a model railway trackplan I'd like to have in Trainz as a guide.

Can TransDEM or a similar programme do what I'm after?

Kieran.

 

[joshmeister]

Where would I get this? And how much does it cost?

 

[KingConrail76]

Where would I get this? And how much does it cost?

You use the Search function above, or do a Google search for "transdem" and/or "Geophil"...I thought I already gave you that information.

 

[joshmeister]

I found a free virson of it but keep getting a logical error when installing it, no idea what that means but it will not install.

 

[Kennilworth]

Hi

It means that you are trying to install pirated software. TransDem isn't a free program and is worth every penny that you pay for it so buy it if you want to use it.

Regards

Brian

 

[Konni]

Hi,

Geophil is certainly an expert in mapmaking and the software package he created is excellent. But you will nevertheless have to learn a lot about how maps are made, and what conventions have to be obeyed. So you may expect quite a steep learning curve (as I did).

Cheers,

Konni

 

[ray_whiley]

As for scanning a model railway/railroad track plan, I imagine that it would be possible and that you would have to make a plane or similar (GMax, Blender etc.) to cover the area of baseboard on which you want to place it - this would be huge and the lines would ne doubt be very thick. I have tried it with maps but was not happy with the result and for those, TransDem is clearly superior.

Ray

 

[JCitron]

Josh,

Just to let you know, we do not condone the use of pirated software, or the support of those that do.

Regarding your question. Yes you can do this using base maps.

These are essentially thin sheet-like assets that you place an image on. You then load this asset, which is a scenery object, and you place your track on top of the image and object. When you are done, you then remove the base map asset.

John

 

[activerail]

Joshmeister: I'll put my two cents in. I have used TransDEM(about $35 USD) to create a number of routes. The tutorials are excellent. Once you downloaded the demographic information and placed it in TransDEM you can overlay it with topographic maps or use Google Earth photos to lay out your model. Both methods create a series of seamless overlays. Again I've used both methods. If your serious about creating prototypical routes, then TransDEM is the software for you.