Considering TrainzDEM

[JackClare1995]

Hi guys,

So I finally have enough money to purchase TrainzDEM!
I have a couple of questions though:

Is it worth the money?
Is it easy to transfer elevation data into a map?
How easy is it to transfer OS maps into a baseboard/set of baseboards?

Also I apologise for any typo's/grammar errors, I'm on my mobile phone

Jack

 

[pfx]

There is a steep learning cureve involved but once you know how it's done, it is a fairly simple process to transfer a map into Trainz. The time is in setting up the data you wish to transfer. Roland operates a very good forum for help and the manual is pretty comprehensive.

 

[rickf77]

Hi Jack; Buy it! I'm pretty sure if I figured out how to use it, anyone can!

Cheers...Rick

 

[itareus]

Hello Jack,

TransDEM Trains Edition is well worth the money, just be aware of a couple of things:

1 - You must read at least the main parts of the manuals provided and do the working examples provided in the manuals, otherwise you will end up totally baffled because TranDEM has so many features. I speak from personal experience !

2 - TransDEM is only as good as the source data it's working with and the only free source data (that I'm aware of) for the UK is from the O/S. The problem with this data is accuracy due to the intervals at which the terrain is mapped. The practical result of this is that small changes in heights (e.g. for embankments and cuttings) are not in the data so, at least some, manual intervention will be required for total prototype accuracy.

Once you have the hang of it it's easy to transfer terrain and map data into Trainz - it's certainly much quicker and better that trying to do everything by hand.

Chris

 

[JackClare1995]

Thank you very much guys I appreciate it! I can't wait to see what I can do with this and what routes I can build!

Jack

 

[oknotsen]

I have / had the same questions as Jack has / had, so thanks for answering the questions so far.

This comment is my last concern:

TransDEM is only as good as the source data it's working with

Does anyone know if there is any good data source for the Netherlands?
The flatness of most of this country is so "intense" that without some decent quality data, everything is just flat.

 

[geophil]

Does anyone know if there is any good data source for the Netherlands?
The flatness of most of this country is so "intense" that without some decent quality data, everything is just flat.

For elevation data, the usual choice for us unlucky Europeans is either standard SRTM or standard ASTER GDEM2, both supported by TransDEM. While you don't get ditches and smaller dykes, the general terrain height will come close to reality, including below sea level polders.

Map-wise, Open Street Map and the other map tile providers can be used. There is also a Dutch WMS, fairly new, with the official topographic maps, but I haven't got it working yet.

 

[JackClare1995]

I'm struggling to find DEM's for the UK. I can not work the OS website and whenever I search for an area it just brings up the book-type maps that you can buy. I also can't find the tutorials. Am I being a bit thick?

Jack

 

[steamboateng]

I have stated it before on these forums, and I'll repeat it here. The single most useful tool for building Trainz routes is TransDEM. It's difficult to grasp at first, primarily because of the cartographic terms one must deal with, the program, however is relatively easy to learn and manipulate. Countless hours are saved in generating terrain maps, and the maps are accurate (if the DEM data is) allowing topo maps and Google Earth maps images to be georeferenced and overlaid on a map. I for one recommend the program.
Regards

 

[geophil]

I'm struggling to find DEM's for the UK. I can not work the OS website and whenever I search for an area it just brings up the book-type maps that you can buy. I also can't find the tutorials. Am I being a bit thick?

The tutorials are part of the two pdf manuals, installed with the TransDEM package package. Just press help [F1] and [Shift]+[F1] in the TransDEM main window or click the help buttons and commands.

For UK DEMs see the last chapter in the TransDEM main manual.
You may also want to have a look here:
http://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?p=1355#p1355

 

[JackClare1995]

I'm currently reading the tutorials, thank you

I have a feeling I'm going to get very stuck with this a few times.

I've also just found this page: http://forum.british-trainz.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=4 and am downloading the one marked N53W003 (as it looks like that is the Manchester area) and have it all open in TransDEM so I guess that's a good start

Jack

 

[geophil]

As others have pointed out, it's quite important to do some of the tutorials first, to get the hang of things and to digest a few of those unfamiliar cartographic terms. The overall workflow is pretty straightforward, you'll probably agree once you succeeded with your first route generation.

Finding suitable data sources for your own route is another question. Some sources are already listed in the TransDEM main manual, others in the TransDEM forum, in the "Resources" section.

The link you quote leads to the ubiquitous SRTM data, certainly a good resource to start with. But for a British route I'd recommend O/S data, see the hints in my last post. O/S data is terrestrial and therefore more accurate than the orbital SRTM data, even if resolution isn't that much different.