HUGE TranzDem Request- Paid project

[mrscsi]

My route is huge enough at @ 80 miles, with 5 branchlines scattering out in all different directions. I don't know why anyone would want a route that is an entire RR Division, that would take @ 11+ hours to run ... I think even a 100 mile route would get boring, quick, riding in the cab.

Seems that eveyone wants a huge DEM, a mega route.

Small routes are best.

Sometimes I think that the PRR East Slope & West Slope are just two sliding boards up and over the mountain summit.

That's why I fancy yards...

I'll admit I'm not much of a driver I like to setup AI and watch like I would a model setup but when I first got transdem I did "try" to do the "world" pun intended and 43 miles with a portal generating a roughly 2500' consist after 5 min with a 70 mph speed limit right out of the portal takes and hour to get to the other side...

 

[kdescente]

G

..."...Sorry, I should have mentioned that I am infact a licensed, registered owner of Roland's TransDem software..."...

...which changes the whole scenario. Exactly which aspect of the "learning curve" of TransDEM, aside from the time (which if one is truly dedicated to one's hobby, one makes) of course, is causing you concern? I am sure that the rest of us TransDEM users will be only too pleased to assist you over any hurdles you might be having.

Jerker {}

I actually just this evening, had the chance to watch and do MrGiza's tutorial videos at http://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10. Thanks for the suggestion- this has helped immensely!! My issues were with trying to merge the DEMs which after seeing the tutorial, was a silly mistake on my part.

It seems that with the merging and importing into CMP, a very mountainous range of 30 DEMs merged together, with an average elevation of 2300m (7800') is no problem in stress factor, either for TranzDem or TRS2010. No FPS drops at all in TRS and that is with track, terraform, roadways and water, but no scenery. We'll see what happens with a few splines of forest cover.. <knocking on wood>

Reading all the replies leads one to wonder how many people are actually working on this very route. Ive received a few PMs from users who have either built the entire route, or have done segments. A few sets of people working on different sections of this route would speed it up Im sure if we planned it right. (...and of course people were willing to band together and merge their work..)

Its been asked why someone would want the entire 1000+ kilometer route. I cant speak for anyone but myself, but my grandfather worked CP Rail many moons ago- and worked every division between Vancouver and Calgary. So Ive got personal interest in the entire area. Not to mention as a professional trucker, I drive this route (not the train line obviously... lol) and absolutely love the scenery. It would be fun to have a computerized version of what I drive! Then of course theres the manipulating the train in CAB mode with real-world physics through places like Spiral Tunnels, Rogers Pass, Kicking Horse and the infamous Fraser Canyon and Hells Gate. I cant see one getting bored running a 2.5 mile consist over this very mountainous and challenging terrain personally..

 

[backyard]

Cummins Formula 525, 7-speed Spicer....

Yes, I have thought about your route of choice & would enjoy running in train or truck...

 

[robd]

I think everybody who uses trainz should pony up 30 bucks and buy it. (TransDEM)

Hey, I bet geophil wouldn't disagree with that, it would make him a rich man!

 

[kdescente]

I couldnt agree more. TranzDem should fire up a deal with N3V and package it with the next release. Microsoft's FSX has the Gold version and Regular version. The Gold version includes development software- similar to that of TransDem (but a lot more complictated and dependent on third, fourth and fifth party software) and is slightly more expensive than the Regular version. Maybe TrainzXI will have something similar...

Over the last few days, TranzDem has become utterly priceless to me and the author of this software should have a monument named after him! The best $30 I ever spent and I join the rest of you who highly encourage the purchase and use of this software!

 

[backyard]

Does he need money...?

Unless a deal is amicable with Roland, I'd say that he'd do better as a 3rd party.

N3V needs to do this, but the data we deal with has all sorts of copyrights & restrictions, is dated at best if it's free & still would have to be built up into a habitat...

The commercial license is quite a bit more than the initial price...if you don't have a job...

Norfolk Southern as an example, has intentions of mapping their system using Geo-datum as well as LIDAR, that would be nice to hook-up with!

Another thing to think about, is using payware data from websites that is higher resolution than we can get free. That data can be imported to TransDEM & exported to Trainz. The commercial license for TransDEM allows this.

It seams that unless the Trainz Community gets a good presentation of what a particular route has to offer, nobody is interested. I've seen this with several of Dermmy's routes, that constant updates from one that consistently shows progress has a lot to do with popularity, unless of course one has lived around & knows the route. When EK3 was released, everyone that wanted it pretty much gobbled it up until it was temporarily(and I mean temporarily, I never heard of a copyright on Kentucky) withdrawn...then politely disappeared whilst they were running it...:hehe: I mean like, several forums sat still for days...:hehe:

Elevation maps, Raster maps, Routes...I wonder if there is data available for scenery...

 

[gisa]

I actually just this evening, had the chance to watch and do MrGiza's tutorial videos at http://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=10. Thanks for the suggestion- this has helped immensely!! My issues were with trying to merge the DEMs which after seeing the tutorial, was a silly mistake on my part.

Please call me mrgisa: I'm not a pyramid. :hehe: I'm surprised to see how many folks have viewed the tutorials (~ 400 views on that thread in just over 2 weeks). Hopefully, the time I put in to make them (I know they aren't perfect) has helped and will help many users in the future.

There does indeed seem to be a lot of interest in this trackage and I would love to see several trainzers take a stab at it. Route building is a lot of work as I'm sure you know. I find anything over 20 km can be quite demanding, depending on where you are building. Urban routes are even more taxing, especially if there are spurs, complicated sidings, or points of interest. Then there's depth too.

I'm working on something that is about 65-70 km and truthfully feeling burnt out, but I'll continue to chip away at it (and I'm thinking of chopping off 10-20 km to make it something I finish in my lifetime). :hehe: My advice would be to pick your favourite section and go from there. 50 miles (~ 80 KM) is a LOT! Trust me! There's a difference between length and quality and if you are as serious as I think you are about your hobby, you'll find building it takes a long long time (but is enjoyable).

Good luck to you!

It seams that unless the Trainz Community gets a good presentation of what a particular route has to offer, nobody is interested. I've seen this with several of Dermmy's routes, that constant updates from one that consistently shows progress has a lot to do with popularity, unless of course one has lived around & knows the route. When EK3 was released, everyone that wanted it pretty much gobbled it up until it was temporarily(and I mean temporarily, I never heard of a copyright on Kentucky) withdrawn...then politely disappeared whilst they were running it...:hehe: I mean like, several forums sat still for days...:hehe:

Well put: I agree with this. It takes a lot of time for a route to get to that stage if you ask me (presentable and makes others interested) and even then. Sad part is, some folks would push on more if there was more interest but it's a catch 22 as results take time. Plus it's a hobby and life gets in the way...

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[RoysTrainz]

length and quality all depends on the creators capabilities and view

I Trust me! There's a difference between length and quality and if you are as serious as I think you are about your hobby, you'll find building it takes a long long time (but is enjoyable).
Gisa when you spent a few minutes on my thread Vancouver-calgary and the latest video on youtube example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ18A9oSQyw than lets talk again about length and quality. I dare to challenge anyone out there with the length, depths and quality all in one over 1.000km long and much wider than 2 boards with real mountains no 2D scenery background to compensate the lack of real data. Roy

 

[gisa]

I Trust me! There's a difference between length and quality and if you are as serious as I think you are about your hobby, you'll find building it takes a long long time (but is enjoyable).
Gisa when you spent a few minutes on my thread Vancouver-calgary and the latest video on youtube example http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ18A9oSQyw than lets talk again about length and quality. I dare to challenge anyone out there with the length, depths and quality all in one over 1.000km long and much wider than 2 boards with real mountains no 2D scenery background to compensate the lack of real data. Roy

? ? ?

Joosten, you misunderstand me. I was not criticizing you, or anyone directly for that matter. What I was trying to emphasize was that the quality of a route, not it's sheer length is what is most important. There are some new folks here (mostly younger adults) who want the respect and attention that good content creators attract. They cut corners, rush things, lie, steal...and all for this attention. I would be lying if I said I didn't like that myself but I would also be lying if I said I needed constant praise either.

I respect any content creator: learning gMax or any program well is by no means easy and since I can barely make a box, I'm grateful for the efforts of others, both big and small.

Route building is by no means easy either. It's difficult to find the motivation, the content, the time, the drive and the data in some cases to build a route. I respect anyone's serious effort there too.

I've not said anything negative directly or indirectly about your route: if anything, I said I was looking forward to it. Clearly, you have forgotten my post. That...is saddening.


Gisa

 

[RoysTrainz]

Gisa no bad word spilled just wanted to add missing words

Gisa I know you for a long time and right, no bad word from your or my part. My reply was adding the missing explanation about once you have the skill, time, endurance,computer,Transdem, 2010 content,Speedtrees, and so much more close to prototypical not only by means of track layout but also coverage of surrounding scenery (baseboards) beyond what 99% of trainzers think might work. Personally I not get tickled even slightly offended when see very nice routes scenery the boards cut off because they think it speeds up there stuff which is absolutely a fairy tale and misconception. Its what and how you put things per square baseboard. I've seen many routes out there slower than mine (fps) because the detail on the baseboard surpass the capability of trainz's program what it allows within the draw distance. To end with, Roland or Dr. Geophil's Transdem is one of the keystones of Trainz if you ask me and I could not have done what I have done without it a few years ago on this massive route and towering mountains and beautiful valleys. I bet the program is much better now but I not changed anything as it was more than good enough for my purpose and detail. Don't feel bad or get my words wrong its a strong (that's the way I write) understatement of what has to be said. You are a good guy among others I know for years so do not worry on that part. warmest regards Roy and Ning

 

[RoysTrainz]

here an example of what draw distance and baseboards means

this pict shows my problem at the yard were trainz draw distance is cut of because for the sake of low end computers not to crash. Very sad but reality. I have ways to camouflage it but still you need to see mountains surrounding the valley which luckely happens for 95%.

hope these images clarify my way of thinking and building routes.

Roy

 

[backyard]

You forget one thing...

Being a train simulator, it will forever run best in-cab!

Awesome Work!

 

[gisa]

Gisa I know you for a long time and right, no bad word from your or my part. My reply was adding the missing explanation about once you have the skill, time, endurance,computer,Transdem, 2010 content,Speedtrees, and so much more close to prototypical not only by means of track layout but also coverage of surrounding scenery (baseboards) beyond what 99% of trainzers think might work. Personally I not get tickled even slightly offended when see very nice routes scenery the boards cut off because they think it speeds up there stuff which is absolutely a fairy tale and misconception. Its what and how you put things per square baseboard. I've seen many routes out there slower than mine (fps) because the detail on the baseboard surpass the capability of trainz's program what it allows within the draw distance. To end with, Roland or Dr. Geophil's Transdem is one of the keystones of Trainz if you ask me and I could not have done what I have done without it a few years ago on this massive route and towering mountains and beautiful valleys. I bet the program is much better now but I not changed anything as it was more than good enough for my purpose and detail. Don't feel bad or get my words wrong its a strong (that's the way I write) understatement of what has to be said. You are a good guy among others I know for years so do not worry on that part. warmest regards Roy and Ning

Hi Joosten,


Thanks for the explanation. Easy to misunderstand someone in person, let alone over the Internet. I agree with you in that having some depth to one's route really makes a difference. I suppose this started out as a virtual railroading program but as technology and content have increased, we can make it more life like.

For me, route building is a fine art where one has to compromise in several aspects. Detail everywhere will drop frame rates like a sack of potatoes, but little to no detail could make a route bland. Depth gives it character and feeling but increases the workload tenfold.

I myself would like to have more depth but I've already got more than I can chew. I will say this though: I like the depth of your route and it looks great (just need some *ahem* CP engines in there ).

Building anything prototypical? Then TransDEM is essential if you ask me. It is possible to build without it but why would one do so? The terrain, map textures, map tiles (big big plus!) vectors...save so much time and increase the accuracy so much. Maybe that's why it is such a popular third-party program because the die hard trainzers opt for it at some point.

Looking forward to your route!

:wave:

Gisa ^^

 

[RoysTrainz]

thanks backyard

Being a train simulator, it will forever run best in-cab!

Awesome Work!

He see you live in TN!!!
I spent a few years living at lake Chickamauga moving from Buckhead Atlanta GA. It was not not far from the power plant near Soddy Daisy. Beautiful area miss it by times.

have a nice day

Roy

 

[RoysTrainz]

Gisa agree and i'll kepp you guys posted on my progress

Gisa,

fully agree and by the way sacks of potatoes I like them fried or baked with unions and lots of them especially in the thai winter when your bud is freezing from the could wind raging down from the mountains in our backyard.

Roy

 

[RoysTrainz]

Gisa if you can show me CP and CN trainz in Ocemy quality

Gisa,

yes i have most of the older CPr and CN trains but they are not even close in the quality Ocemy'trains provide inside and outside.
I love his creations very much.
If similar high quality (with cab) show me where to find these...

Roy

 

[gisa]

Gisa,

yes i have most of the older CPr and CN trains but they are not even close in the quality Ocemy'trains provide inside and outside.
I love his creations very much.
If similar high quality (with cab) show me where to find these...

Roy

Hi Roy,


I suppose it is subjective but there are some older CN/CP models by CNR that have still aged quite well IMHO. Jointed rail has an excellent CN ES44 that I recommend (no cab though). RRMods has a great CN SD40-2/CP SD40-2M as well which I am fond of.

Sporbust's CP ES44AC is also a winner in my opinion.

Ocemy has some great models and I can why anyone would prefer them. My computer is 4 years old give or take, so I have to compromise on the quality anyhow.

:wave:

Gisa ^^