Custom Terrain + Texturing in Trainz

[exton32]

Really not sure if this is the exact place for this.

I was looking through this thread, and came across this photo posted by PerRock; a stunning photo I think by the way!

The terrain looks beautifully well detailed, and I'm assuming that this is DEM data. Can anyone recommend any (preferably free) methods/software of making custom terrain with this level of detail and realism, as a substitute for DEM data from a real location?

Also which textures would people recommend using to achieve something similar to the hills in the background in this photo? I'm currently in the process of building a fictional British route (in a much nicer climate) and I'd love to have my route running through terrain like this!

Thanks in advance!

 

[JCitron]

Look at TransDEM by Dr. Ziegler.

http://www.rolandziegler.de/StreckeUndLandschaft/startseiteTransDEMEngl.htm

This is about $30 US and is worth more than you'll pay for it. You can download DEM data from the National Map Server operated by the National Geological Survey along with Orthographic images and Topographic maps that fit right into place. Once you start on the DEM path, you'll never, ever go back to hand crafting terrain again.

John

 

[nicky9499]

I think OP wants a program that will create fictional, realistic-looking hills for him John since he already knows about DEMs and by that extension, TransDEM.

 

[kenneth18278]

Isn't there a KB shortcut (or cheat) that can be used with the Terrain tool to generate a random contour map, which then just needs painting?

 

[ulmer94]

Ctrl + Alt + Shift + P = Make Me a Map, George

 

[JCitron]

The other alternative is to import displacement maps. I made a couple of them in Bryce, did a screen capture of the landscape (grayscale) from the topview in the displacement maker, and adjusted things in Photoshop.

There used to be, which I'm not sure if it's even available anymore, a program called Terrainz for Trainz which creates displacement maps. I have it somewhere and used it for quite some time.

John

 

[H222]

I use DEMs for fictional routes

 

[JCitron]

I use DEMs for fictional routes

So do I. I even build routes where no route ever went before. It's interesting to work out the grade and route around large hills, across valleys, and through various towns. My current project is a fictional transit line in and around Cape Ann in Massachusetts. George Fischer did this originally, but I'm working on my own route that expands to the outlying areas such as Magnolia, West Gloucester, Annisquam, Wingersheek, Riverdale, Wheeler Point, among others.

John

 

[kenneth18278]

Thanks, Ulmer94, I'll give that a go!