MicroDem loading files Problem

[trainman53]

Today 10.08.12, I found a tutorial by "wewain" at http://freepages.misc.rootsweb.ance.../Topology/TerrainGeneration/UsingMicroDEM.htm on learning how to make DEM maps to import in trainz by the Hog Utility and MicroDem. Well I followed the Tut to the letter on downloading and installation, then also downloading the .GZ file to use in the Tut. All this went without a hitch until I tried to opening the same file (1646580.dem.sdts.tar.gz) he used. Well needless to say it did not load but instead the dialog box announced: "C:\program files (x86)\microdem\dems\1646580.dem.sdts.tar.gz Not acceptable DEM". So I tried several other files with same results. The Tut was made in 2003, so I kinda figured it may have something to do with the difference in the program version and build: (The version used in Tut = MicroDem v.7.0 Alpha build 14.50.15.4 and The current version at their web site = MicroDem 2012.4.30.1. So my question is: Do Any of you gifted experts have any idea what may be the problem??.......................THX as always in advance

 

[Dermmy]

Three things going on:

MicroDEM has changed

Trainz has changed

Win7

Of the first two the changes to MicroDEM make the biggest difference. Google around and download the earliest version you can find, the earlier it is the closer it will be to the tute. If you are truly stuck finding an 'old' version drop me a PM.

Trainz changes are simply the file structure and the 'mode' of importing the texture files, lots of help on the forum if you get stuck.

Win7? Can of worms LOL. First thing I would do is install into My Documents or just straight onto C:\ and make sure everythig is running as administrator. Anything that updates files in My progs or (x86) is likely to be an issue....

Andy

 

[trainman53]

Thx Andy for your kind response: It appears that your third suggestion may have done the trick - considering the age of MicroDem software, when installing it I noticed that it reverted every time (yes I uninstalled and reinstalled it several times) to wanting to install in the root (C:\) directory. Since I like to install things in a more orderly fashion, I tried several ways and as you already know to no avail. So I gave in and let it install on the root, and lo and behold, it worked and loaded files correctly. I'm thinking the internal way it was/is written, it was looking for it's working files (.ddl's and such) with reference to the root directory. Again, I thank you for your time in responding, and now it's time for me to learn how to use it lol.

 

[clam1952]

I've got Microdem 2009.5.27.1 on mediafire should anyone need it, a couple have due to problems with Tiger lines in the latest, not a problem for me as there are none for the UK anyway.
Careful with that tutorial, depending on the version of microdem you may not need to do the feet to metres conversion, I found that out when I had a flat mountain range a while back now. the version above has a save to TGA, as did the one previous to the latest but now it's been removed.
Latest version has a Google earth overlay where you can overlay the dem on Google Earth which is quite handy. Looks like there are a lot of other things it can now do as well, haven't quite worked out what yet though.