Can someone make me a DEM?

What version of TransDEM? AFAIK, Roland has been keeping up with the data changes. IMG was implemented not long ago, and ArcGrid before that. I found the info on importing ArcGrid: http://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?p=1172#p1172

Again, I don't have TransDEM - can't just hop on a site and order it instantly. My concern for Alaska is that some better and recent data exists, but it is not yet on USGS. However, there is usable data there as long as you have a current version of TransDEM.
 
There is a large adf file ... when Transdem tries to read it: "ERROR READING DEM"

There is no grdn file
There is no hgt file
There are no readable files contained in side the zip file
 
You want the largest of the .adf files and always extract them from the .ZIP. Ensure you are using the latest TransDEM. I believe versions prior TD 2.21 are unable to read Arc-grid format. Outside of this your machine is probably running out of memory since these files are HUGE! I have seen that error when processing the large DEM files or trying to export a full DEM with images, or trying to place images on top of a DEM instead of vice versa. So download your geo-tifs first then load your DEM.

John
 
Amtrak and all;

Please don't get the wrong idea. I'm not a nice guy. I have a few friends, but most times I would prefer to hang out with animals, not humans! Well, I don't mind the wife...most days! A while back I promised a kid here that when a certain loco came out, I'd buy it for him. About 30 seconds after I hit the send key I started thinking, "Geez, what if his parents think I'm some kind of internet pervert!". I figure if I post this here he can show it to his parents and they will feel okay with it. I would not mind buying TransDem for you. I've done it before, asked Roland how to do it, and all went well. I'm not sure if you are saying your parents are for some reason against digital downloads or for some reason you cannot receive them. Anyway show them this, see how they feel about it.

I have to say my route is not the greatest, but I kind of feel good that I did it all. Well, everything I see was made by great creators, but I put it all together. I have a feeling you are a whole let better than me with all trainz related things. I'm sure you will feel the same way after many, many, many hours of working away on your project. You can pay me back someday with a Jordan Spreader! It has to look just like one the CNR would have had back in the '50s. It has to be top quality and don't try to give me something with that ugly CN noodle on it!

I don't want or need it yet, but if your folks are okay with it, I think I will need your email address. I can't remember how I did it last time, I'll have to ask Roland again.

Guys, I'm posting this here because of the reason stated above. I don't want to pm a young fella. If his folks see this out in the open, hopefully they will know all is on the up and up.

Cheers....Rick

P.S. I hope you finish the route while I'm still alive!
 
I hae just downloaded 2 - 1deg. x 1deg. NED data blocks from the Server. The Data is downloaded by selecting Arc-Grid as your desired format. The files DO contain a grdn file and that file does contain several .adf files.....ANY of which can be clicked on to start the TransDEM process.
 
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The adf files: "ERROR READING DEM" ... I have 21GB free disc space ... Anyway, I downloaded some pre-made DEM maps, and in Transdem you can't really draw on them, copy them and paste them in any other program, so as to put a topo layer on top of the huge TransDEM image.

So all I can get is a huge multi County blank DEM with, absolutely no lines on it
 
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Where am I going to get geo-tif's

If you check out the link I posted to the TransDEM forum, the very first line states:

After the changes of Dec 18, 2012, GeoTIFF is no longer available for 1 and 1/3 arc sec NED DEM. From now on and until the next change, "Arc Grid" (aka ESRI Binary Grid) is the choice for TransDEM.

@rickf77: That's kind of you. I'm going to buy it myself, btw - sent email and just waiting for a reply. But if you want to be generous, make sure to check out the kickstarter campaign! (Shameless plug :))
 
Hi Stan;

I am not sure why I have not sent them $50 yet. I really should, even if I don't understand the whole thing. I guess if you send them $50, you get a copy when the new thing comes out? Nothing wrong with that! I've been afraid to update TS12, thinking somehow I'll never see my route again! I have 3 installs, 2 "mirror" copies of the first. I have my route and user data also backed up in a couple of other places. I just can't seem to bring myself to "give up" one of my installs! Also, the wife uses this computer for work, so I'm concerned about the amount of time it will take to do the updates, and perhaps her doing something that may screw up the whole thing! There is no way I am going to put my offline Trainz rig online! I've been using "Black Viper's bare bones" set up. All seems well, and I don't want to mess with it. It would be great if my route works on the "new sim". If it doesn't, I'll be happy to stay where I am.

OK, Stan, you're right. I'm getting some coffee and see if I can fumble my way through sending them off some funds! It's kind of a way of helping out. I can't do anything else useful for the trainz community!

Cheers....Rick
 
OK, Stan, you're right. I'm getting some coffee and see if I can fumble my way through sending them off some funds! It's kind of a way of helping out. I can't do anything else useful for the trainz community!

Cheers....Rick

Well, I'm glad I could help out by getting you to help out! :)

For $50, you will also get your choice of TS12 or 2 Loco DLCs or a year FCT, plus the new game when it is ready. So it is not a bad deal at all.
 
Roland is quick. TransDEM 2.4.1.0 opened the adf file just fine. It seemed to hand a bit, but didn't take too long to process. So, ArcGrid worked for me. I have not tried IMG. Of course, there's a lot more to this than just loading a DEM. I just installed the software (like I said, he was quick) and have a nice long PDF manual to read.

Again, as far as I know, there is a current project underway to have better data available in Alaska. I'm not so sure the USGS has caught up, so with a route as big as this you might be better off to work on little bits and then DIY more from DEM data because you might have better data by then.
 
Amtrak;

1. I've done it before, asked Roland how to do it, and all went well. I'm not sure if you are saying your parents are for some reason against digital downloads or for some reason you cannot receive them. Anyway show them this, see how they feel about it.

2. You can pay me back someday with a Jordan Spreader! It has to look just like one the CNR would have had back in the '50s. It has to be top quality and don't try to give me something with that ugly CN noodle on it!

3. I don't want or need it yet, but if your folks are okay with it, I think I will need your email address.

1. If his folks see this out in the open, hopefully they will know all is on the up and up.

1. My parents are fine with it.

2. You got any pictures?

3. ​I'll PM it to you.
 
Alright my young friend, I'll try to get right on it today. I see your add in my pm. As stated above Roland is pretty fast. I think at times he has to deal with real world stuff, but usually fast. I'll try to contact him today. I'm not sure but I think he sends it me, then I send it to you. I was sent an update for the last fella I got transdem for and forwarded that to him. I may need more info, your name, maybe more. I'll let you know after I contact Roland.

Hee, hee, don't worry too much about the spreader. I have not seen one for years. It was all black with white lettering. One used to show up in the yard about once a year. Interesting looking beast!

I'll email you later, see ya, Rick
 
I drove on a very bumpy track from Cordova to the airport. TransDEM is pretty cool! Of course, places like Alaska always pose challenges between the terrain and the limited higher-res map images. Luckily, the main rail belt is the best-mapped part of Alaska.

If you have any questions about it, I would be glad to offer my advice. I'm not an expert, but the ARR main yard and HQ is right down the street from me, so I have some reference. :)
 
Rick,

Is this the kind of plow you mean?
Picture_160.jpg
 
HOLEY COW!! I was only joking about the spreader! That image takes me back fift...err a few years! As kids, we just could not stay out of the yard. Who could blame us, with things like this in there! I cannot remember seeing a spreader in the yard during the winter, so they must have brought it in for some kind of track maintenance. See that "DANGER" sign? Well, to us that meant climb right on board for some great adventure!

I cannot make a darn thing myself, yet I somehow have become a rolling stock snob. Looking at that spreader, I cannot believe anybody could make it look that good! I don't know your skill level, but if you can ever do something like that I'll have to send you on a shopping spree at one of the fine payware sites. I must save that image.

Still waiting for a reply, hang in there!

Cheers...Rick
 
HOLEY COW!! I was only joking about the spreader! That image takes me back fift...err a few years! As kids, we just could not stay out of the yard. Who could blame us, with things like this in there! I cannot remember seeing a spreader in the yard during the winter, so they must have brought it in for some kind of track maintenance. See that "DANGER" sign? Well, to us that meant climb right on board for some great adventure!

I cannot make a darn thing myself, yet I somehow have become a rolling stock snob. Looking at that spreader, I cannot believe anybody could make it look that good! I don't know your skill level, but if you can ever do something like that I'll have to send you on a shopping spree at one of the fine payware sites. I must save that image.

Still waiting for a reply, hang in there!

Cheers...Rick

Should I pipe up, or let the kid make you a Jordan Spreader? Bnsf50 made one lettered for CPRail. He spells the name Jordon in case you are looking for one.

The old B&M used to bring one of these critters up the mainline periodically to clear brush and snow. I think for railroads these are like one of those lawn tractors that can take a multitude of attachments. :)

John
 
Hey guys: Geez, I would love to get my hands on one of those! I THINK I may have saw that one, John, but I'm lucky to remember it if I saw it 2 days ago! If I did not download it, I think it must have modern lettering on it. I'm going to take a lot at it in a few minutes. A couple of fellas here have done favours for me, sandman2 and bn1970, to mention a couple. I wish there was a way I could return the favour, but they will have nothing to do with it! Makes me feel kind of bad. So, AMTRAK, are ya any good at re-skinning? Maybe with all the proper permission, etc., you could do that for me? Hee, hee, make her look like the one above! Don't worry about it too much, I was kidding the first time I mentioned the spreader.

....AMTRAK, I am still waiting for a reply from Roland...I have not forgotten about you.

Thanks, fellas

Cheers...Rick
 
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