Looking for Object Splines to use as Markers

[ModelerMJ]

Hi all,

I'm using TransDEM to set up a map and, as I have no 3D vector data, I am tracing the rail lines and roads using the TD Simple Route Editor. Instead of having TD emit track to my map, I have it emit object splines that act as markers for where the track and roads should go, so that I can then lay the track and roads (and junctions & intersections) manually in Surveyor by following these markers. Sounds crazy, maybe, but I have my reasons; call it an experiment, if you like.

I am currently using fences for this purpose, and while this does work it is not really the cleanest solution. So I'm wondering if anyone knows of any object splines that are essentially nothing more than lines of different colors, that I might be able to use for my markers, instead of the fences.

Thanks in advance.
-Mike

Edit: I am aware that TransDEM allows me to emit UTM tiles with Google Earth images on them. I am not able to use this facility because of an apparent issue with wireframe view in TS12 -- when UTM tiles are present, the wireframe becomes very thick and obscures the UTM images, making them essentially useless (I posted separately about this issue). Believe me, if I could be tracing directly over a Google Earth image, I would be. Almost makes me want to try to find a copy of TS2010, as I have read that others do not have this issue with that version...

 

[JCitron]

Hi all,

I'm using TransDEM to set up a map and, as I have no 3D vector data, I am tracing the rail lines and roads using the TD Simple Route Editor. Instead of having TD emit track to my map, I would like to emit object splines that will acts as markers for where the track and roads should go, so that I can then lay the track and roads (and junctions & intersections) manually in Surveyor by following these markers. Sounds crazy, maybe, but I have my reasons; call it an experiment, if you like.

I am currently using fences for this purpose, and while this does work it is not really the cleanest solution. So I'm wondering if anyone knows of any object splines that are essentially nothing more than lines of different colors, that I might be able to use for my markers, instead of the fences.

Thanks in advance.
-Mike

Edit: I am aware that TransDEM allows me to emit UTM tiles with Google Earth images on them. I am not able to use this facility because of an apparent issue with wireframe view in TS12 -- when UTM tiles are present, the wireframe becomes very thick and obscures the UTM images, making them essentially useless (I posted separately about this issue). Believe me, if I could be tracing directly over a Google Earth image, I would be. Almost makes me want to try to find a copy of TS2010, as I have read that others do not have this issue with that version...

Have you tried telephone or telegraph poles instead of a fence? They're a more substantial object.

I use TransDEM also for what I'm using, and only output the textures, which are the UTM grid and the track where I drew it on the map. The track color is light blue (cyan) like it is on the TIGER generated maps.

Have you been able to get any TIGER maps? I can't seem to find them anywhere. Besides how would these be imported into TransDEM?

This would save us both a lot of time because the roads and rails would already be drawn on the map surface as a texture file.

John

 

[ModelerMJ]

Hi John,

I chose fences because they are continuous objects, and as such they will represent the centerline of the track or roads as an unbroken path that hugs the terrain. I did consider power poles but wanted the continuous line.

I have a 1:50,000 map georeferenced to my DEM, and I output that image on the terrain as I find it helps to keep my bearings via satellite view. The roads and rails are "drawn" in this map, but because the resolution is only 1 pixel per 10 meters this gives very low-accuracy results that are not definitive enough (at least for me).

The fence thing actually works really well as far as giving me a very accurate tracing of the rails and roads as they are indicated in Google Earth. I'm just wondering if there is some other continuous object I could be using in place of the fences - for example, object splines that are nothing more than red, blue, green and black colored lines would fit my needs extremely well.

-Mike

 

[ModelerMJ]

Well, I decided to take the plunge, and ordered a copy of TS2010 last night through Amazon.com (it appears to be no longer available on the N3V site, else I obviously would have bought it there). My main reasons for doing so are that TransDEM is in fact (I think) fully compatible with TS2010 (it is not so with TS12, at least not yet), and hopefully the wireframe mode will allow me to actually use UTM tiles with Google Earth images on them. If just these two things work out, it will be totally worth the menial cost of the purchase and the time I will need to spend getting it up and running.

So with any luck, a combination of my 'fence' markers and the GE images will let me 'rough out' my map in TS2010, after which I can bring it forward to TS12 for the main body of work.

 

[JCitron]

Hi John,

I chose fences because they are continuous objects, and as such they will represent the centerline of the track or roads as an unbroken path that hugs the terrain. I did consider power poles but wanted the continuous line.

I have a 1:50,000 map georeferenced to my DEM, and I output that image on the terrain as I find it helps to keep my bearings via satellite view. The roads and rails are "drawn" in this map, but because the resolution is only 1 pixel per 10 meters this gives very low-accuracy results that are not definitive enough (at least for me).

The fence thing actually works really well as far as giving me a very accurate tracing of the rails and roads as they are indicated in Google Earth. I'm just wondering if there is some other continuous object I could be using in place of the fences - for example, object splines that are nothing more than red, blue, green and black colored lines would fit my needs extremely well.

-Mike

Well doh! I never thought of this either. Try one of the invisible roads. They're done in various colors from red, blue, purple, etc. They're invisible in Driver, but show up nicely in Surveyor nice and bright.

TS2010 will work fine. Make sure you don't have a merging issue which I've run into with TS12 though. That would be the real bummer for you after all the work you'd do in TS2010 on your route.

John

 

[clam1952]

There are invisible tracks in red and blue and probably other colours that you could use, show up in surveyor as a thin coloured line. I use them all the time for marking things out.

I noticed that problem with the grid using basemaps which I was just using to check something out on my route.

 

[ModelerMJ]

D'oh! Indeed... invisible roads and tracks (smacks head with hand). I know exactly what you're talking about and it makes perfect sense -- and I have no idea why I didn't think of that right from the start.

I will hunt those down and give them a try. Thanks!

Regards,
-Mike

P.S. @ John -- Could you elaborate a bit more as to what you mean by 'a merging issue'? Thanks.