Google Earth 7 TransDEM

[rkillins]

I am playing with route building, and have invested in TransDEM to assist.
I've downloaded a DEM source and imported it into TransDem. I've also imported a topomap georeferenced with the DEM, but was not impressed with the level of detail for placing vectored lines like railway lines etc.

Is it possible to use the Google Earth line tools to trace vector data in Google earth and import it into TransDEM. It is far easier to trace an accurate line using google earth than the low res topo data.

Are there any tutorials or resources available that can explain how Google Earth can be used to improve route building in TS12?

 

[Derekc75]

I am playing with route building, and have invested in TransDEM to assist.
I've downloaded a DEM source and imported it into TransDem. I've also imported a topomap georeferenced with the DEM, but was not impressed with the level of detail for placing vectored lines like railway lines etc.

Is it possible to use the Google Earth line tools to trace vector data in Google earth and import it into TransDEM. It is far easier to trace an accurate line using google earth than the low res topo data.

Are there any tutorials or resources available that can explain how Google Earth can be used to improve route building in TS12?

The TransDEM manual explains how to add Google Earth images to DEMs in Tutorial 2. Your other resource is the TransDEM forums which includes this thread:

http://www.forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=105

Good luck

 

[Vern]

The answer is yes. If you create a linear path in GE and save as a kml or kmz file, you can then open this in Transdem from the Open route dialogue and it will display same as if you had traced the route off a map, i.e. blue line overlaid on your DEM/maps.

 

[rkillins]

Thank you both for your replies.

Vern, your suggestion provides what I am looking for in the most basic sense and provides a good starting point using DEM and route layout.

Derekc ... your suggestion opened up a whole new highly detailed option to replace the low res topo raster image with a high detailed google image. I followed the tutorial and applied the concepts to my own project, but sadly, my Google Earth has a bug which appears to prevent me from saving the .jpg images. I can do about 4 or 5, but after awhile, that functionality fails, so I'm left with a stretch of route without any supported images. I'm not sure how to use multiple sessions to create one route. That may be the only way I can do it ... with 5 images/project at a time.

 

[geophil]

but sadly, my Google Earth has a bug which appears to prevent me from saving the .jpg images.

Have you tried the TransDEM map tile client as an alternative access point to ortho-imagery? Particularly with a different provider like MS Bing, known in TransDEM by its original name MS Virtual Earth?

 

[Approach_Medium]

I have been working with Google Earth (V6.2 because it works better for me than the newer versions) with TransDem (V2.5 is the latest version, and available in 32 or 64 bit) for a couple years and have had excellent results with TS12.
With the high quality images in GE, I can get precise track configuration, including crossovers, industries, etc (and sometimes can even see signals). As stated earlier in this thread, it is very easy to import the .kmz files created in GE to TransDem routes. Simply change the file type to "Google Earth Placemark (.kmz)" when opening the route. You can open multiple GE paths this way, and when you have the whole route you want, save it in the default "Zusi route file (*.str) so that you can open the entire route at once.
Note: When importing .kmz files to TransDem, you cannot import more than one folder at a time. Folder referring to the folders you can create under GE Places to organize your placemarks and paths. If you attempt to import more than one folder, TransDem will hang. So, if you want to organize your GE data into folders you need to save each folder as a separate .kmz file for import into TransDem.
For example, I have separate folders for specific rail lines, yards, or RR companies (CSX, NS, UP, etc) and often a separate folder for large yards. When I want to export to TransDem, I must save the contents of each folder to a separate .kmz file.
I like to separate abandoned lines from active ones, and sometimes main track from siding, so that I can use different tracks when creating track splines in TransDem. It gets a bit tedious to do that, but sometimes it can save a lot of time once the route has been created.

CP

 

[JCitron]

I just tried this a few minutes ago. It's so awesome and will save a ton of time on future routes.

Like many software packages, there are so many options and things that can be done and even though you read the manual things go unnoticed until you go to use them. I read about this but never did it until now. It's like knowing about some delicious dessert but never tasting it, and when you do it's the best thing you've ever had.

John

 

[geophil]

John, as with many features in TransDEM, kmz/kml vector import is the result of a user request, coming from Portugal if I remember correctly.

 

[Approach_Medium]

I have become obsessed with mapping RR routes in Google Earth. I have all of NY, NJ, VT, NH, MA, RI, CT done, and am working on PA and DE at this moment. Sometimes I get detailed track maps with interlocking and station names, railroad ownership, and more - but other times I simply name a route by the cities it connects. I have not been very consistent in my naming standards, but mostly I name main tracks as trk 1, trk 2, etc, yard tracks in the same manner, but use different colors for these. I use a separate folder and path color for abandoned lines and rail-trails, and recently I started using different colors for commuter or Amtrak lines (although most of these are shared with freight anyway).
How much detail I put on my maps depends on the mood I am in at the time. Whatever, I plan to return to each map and complete the details as I acquire new information and am in the mood to drill down into detail.
How many of these routes I actually grab DEM's for and build Trainz routes depends, again on my moods. I expect to be doing a lot of new route building once TANE is released.

For all the time and effort I have spent creating these maps, I would love to be paid, but there are several reasons that cannot happen; the most important being that I do not own the PRO license for Google Earth (that costs $400 USD). So for now I expect that I will make my work available on my website for free download. Perhaps I can set up a donation box for those who feel that my work is worth something to them. In any case, I thoroughly enjoy this work, and am learning a lot about rail lines throughout the eastern USA. I am often sad to see how many lines have been abandoned. But mapping these abandoned routes enables me (or anyone who I give the files to) to create a Trainz route from them, and thus bring these lines back to life!
I only wish I had more artistic talent, so I could paint my routes as beautifully as I have seen some do in Trainz. But then, everyone has his/her talent, and I think it best at this point in my life to focus on what I am good at, and make it better, rather than delving into something that I only desire to be good at, but realize I don't have the time or patience for. So I will leave the artistry to those who have the talent for it, and continue with mapping and coding.

CP

 

[Approach_Medium]

Have you tried the TransDEM map tile client as an alternative access point to ortho-imagery? Particularly with a different provider like MS Bing, known in TransDEM by its original name MS Virtual Earth?

How does that work for larger routes? If I recall correctly, all of the map clients built into TransDem don't work well for larger routes. I always find myself creating routes of hundreds of miles.

CP

 

[geophil]

How does that work for larger routes? If I recall correctly, all of the map clients built into TransDem don't work well for larger routes. I always find myself creating routes of hundreds of miles.

The TransDEM map tile client is fairly innocent here, it's the provider's policy that may limit map tile access. The TransDEM map tile client rejects cookies or session IDs and Google, for instance, doesn't want you to remain anonymous (after all, to collect your data is part of their business model), so they cut the anonymous connection after a while. Microsoft, as far as I know, does not do that.

 

[rkillins]

Have you tried the TransDEM map tile client as an alternative access point to ortho-imagery? Particularly with a different provider like MS Bing, known in TransDEM by its original name MS Virtual Earth?

No, I haven't but would certainly consider that option if it means similar results with more reliability. Despite reading the manuals provided with TransDEM, much of it was glaced over due to irrelevance or for being overly technical (not a complaint). Is it the same process as what one would use with Google Earth? If you are familiar with the manual, would you provide me with a hint as to what section/tutorial to refer to?

Much appreciated!

Rob

 

[geophil]

would you provide me with a hint as to what section/tutorial to refer to?

TransDEM main manual, "Tutorial 7: Map Tile Services", from page 145 in the current edition.

 

[Approach_Medium]

The TransDEM map tile client is fairly innocent here, it's the provider's policy that may limit map tile access. The TransDEM map tile client rejects cookies or session IDs and Google, for instance, doesn't want you to remain anonymous (after all, to collect your data is part of their business model), so they cut the anonymous connection after a while. Microsoft, as far as I know, does not do that.

OK. Fair enough. But I still prefer to use Google Earth for my work. It's hard to beat its detail.

CP

 

[geophil]

OK. Fair enough. But I still prefer to use Google Earth for my work. It's hard to beat its detail.

For Google, the ortho-imagery data source is identical for Google Earth and Google Maps. (The projection is different, of course.) Between providers, it always depends on the location. In some area Google has the better images, in other areas MS is ahead.

 

[rkillins]

Thanks for the help!

TransDEM main manual, "Tutorial 7: Map Tile Services", from page 145 in the current edition.

Thanks geophil for your insights. I'll dig deeper into this to see if it provides the results I'm hoping for. Seems like a lot of options!