Need help. Planning the route again.

[JCitron]

What about Trainz Maps, or is that not for making realistic maps? I know I was reading about something else that was a Microsoft Tool, and I don't think that it's the one you are talking about JCitron.

Neither... Trainz Maps allowed us to change tracks and signals as well as print out schematic maps of the route in versions up to TRS2009. Microsoft's system is the same as used by Bing and it's their TerraServer project. I'm not aware of any other tool by Microsoft for this. There is Micro Dem if that's what you are looking for. You can generate terrain which can be imported into HOG for export to a Trainz format file.

John

 

[Zeldaboy14]

Really? That might be the alternative to just TransDEM. Is Micro DEM free to download?

 

[Vern]

Microdem is a general application used for viewing and managing DEM data, it does not to my knowledge have any means of exporting the data direct into Trainz (or any other sim for that matter).

With regard to gradients, fixed spline height and the gradient tool are your friends. Depending on how accurate the DEM is, the course of the line is unlikely to have cuttings and embankments defined, so as suggested you have to eyeball it using the measuring tool over intervals of 500 - 1000 metres. Might also be worth looking to see if there's a gradient/track profile chart available for the route concerned which can then be read in conjunction with the other data.

 

[gawpo50]

The only place on the planet that resembles 'flat' is Area '51'! And even that may be just an illusion.
For any Trainzer committed to prototype route building to any degree, I believe TransDem is a must have. The $33 bucks is well worth the time saved pushing up terrain verts from Surveyor's pancake world. TransDem is also relatively accurate (defined by the resolution of the DEM download) within the Trainz coordinate system and supports overlays of topo maps and satellite imagery.
But TransDem does not fit into many Trainzer's lunchbox's not only because of price; it's an uphill climb to master. Bless those that have; I'm sure they all have no regrets for learning the system. The tool, quite simply, opens a whole new world to Trainzers, literally!

Your right there. Hard to master but once you have it is a joy to use, especially the latest x64 bit version. I couldn't build a route without it.

 

[JCitron]

Your right there. Hard to master but once you have it is a joy to use, especially the latest x64 bit version. I couldn't build a route without it.

Same here! Even my fictional routes are now based on bits of real earth now. The old hand sculpting and digging has become a thing of the past.

John