TransDem batch processing?

[Approach_Medium]

Hi;
I am using TransDem Trainz Edition 2.1.1.0 to create GeoReferenced Raster maps from the .jpg and .kmz files I capture in Google Earth.
Currently, I know of only one method to create the GeoRef maps in TransDem, and that is to do one at a time.
It would be a great time saver if I could write a batch file to process all of the files at once. Then I could go away for a while, come back and all is done!

Is there a way that I don't know about?

Thanks

FW

 

[al_sa]

You could use the built in Google Maps and save yourself a lot of time, just use the web tile server I think it's called. Unless you use some form of GEarth layer addon.

 

[Approach_Medium]

You could use the built in Google Maps and save yourself a lot of time, just use the web tile server I think it's called. Unless you use some form of GEarth layer addon.

I'll try that. I already have the DEM, and don't need to create UTM tiles. I have been using GE for a long time, that is the only reason I have gone that way.
I have to go through Tutorial 7.

FW

 

[mrscsi]

I'll try that. I already have the DEM, and don't need to create UTM tiles. I have been using GE for a long time, that is the only reason I have gone that way.
I have to go through Tutorial 7.

FW

I always use the map tile server to pull ortho photos from Google or Yahoo or Microsoft along a "simple" polyline route. It does it in batch mode for you. Whether you use those as UTM's or as ground texture is really up to you, TransDem will do either…

 

[Approach_Medium]

I always use the map tile server to pull ortho photos from Google or Yahoo or Microsoft along a "simple" polyline route. It does it in batch mode for you. Whether you use those as UTM's or as ground texture is really up to you, TransDem will do either…

When I did the tutorial 7 for map server, it seemed that I could not get as large a distance I wanted. If I zoom in to see the RR line, I don't get the whole map. I want to build the D&RGW from about Leadville CO to Glenwood Springs CO, with Aspen and Carbondale thrown in.

I am still playing with it though.

FW

 

[backyard]

File cache limits...

TransDEM has a limit on how large the DEM can get, to manage the cache file...so does your computer!

I always open Task Manager whilst mapping, 500MB is normal for 50x50 mile projects.

2.9GB has been noted, I have 3GB RAM & it borrows from the hard drive.

I know what your talking about, selecting large or total maps vs several smaller sections then merging them in TransDEM. You don't want to have to load the map(wait), save & ditto until you finish to merge the maps, but I have trouble saving large projects due to "out of memory" warnings.

Note that flat terrain uses less memory, hilly to mountainous terrain uses more memory. 3-arcsec files take less memory than 1/9-arcsec of the same area.

Your much better off working with small exports into Trainz for merging than digging into a large project only to have some sort of failure causing you to have to start over at some point.

Also, I think the next payware geodata program costs at least $400 & the results would be the same, but TransDEM Trainz Edition is custom made to work with even the latest version of Trainz.

 

[Approach_Medium]

TransDEM has a limit on how large the DEM can get, to manage the cache file...so does your computer!

I always open Task Manager whilst mapping, 500MB is normal for 50x50 mile projects.

2.9GB has been noted, I have 3GB RAM & it borrows from the hard drive.

I know what your talking about, selecting large or total maps vs several smaller sections then merging them in TransDEM. You don't want to have to load the map(wait), save & ditto until you finish to merge the maps, but I have trouble saving large projects due to "out of memory" warnings.

Note that flat terrain uses less memory, hilly to mountainous terrain uses more memory. 3-arcsec files take less memory than 1/9-arcsec of the same area.

Your much better off working with small exports into Trainz for merging than digging into a large project only to have some sort of failure causing you to have to start over at some point.

Also, I think the next payware geodata program costs at least $400 & the results would be the same, but TransDEM Trainz Edition is custom made to work with even the latest version of Trainz.

Thanks for that info. I think for now, I'll just stick with the Google Earth method I have been using. It takes a lot of time, but it is relaxing work, and I'm usually listening to an audio book while I work in TransDem.

FW

 

[backyard]

Your welcome

Your thread title was short & to the point!

I often re-read the manuals for both TransDEM & TransDEM Trainz Edition.

I'm pulling mostly 1/3-arcsec GeoTiff terrain maps from the National Map Seamless Server, and TOPO maps for overlays using Microsoft Research Web Mapping Server...some areas are not very up to date for example the BNSF/UP Orin Subdivision...the railroad line does not even run all the way through suggesting about 1991-era, so I'm having to make do with Google UTM tiles.

 

[geophil]

Thanks for that info. I think for now, I'll just stick with the Google Earth method I have been using. It takes a lot of time, but it is relaxing work, and I'm usually listening to an audio book while I work in TransDem.

Frank,

as said by others, the TransDEM Map Tile Client working along a path is the way to go. Google Earth and Google Maps usually offer the same data. The result in TransDEM is more or less the same, you get georeferenced clippings of maps or orthophotos. But with the Map Tile client it is done automatically, "batch mode" so to speak. However, some Map Tile servers may limit the number of map tiles you can acquire in one session.

 

[Approach_Medium]

Frank,

as said by others, the TransDEM Map Tile Client working along a path is the way to go. Google Earth and Google Maps usually offer the same data. The result in TransDEM is more or less the same, you get georeferenced clippings of maps or orthophotos. But with the Map Tile client it is done automatically, "batch mode" so to speak. However, some Map Tile servers may limit the number of map tiles you can acquire in one session.

The issue I am having with the Tile servers is that in order to see the RR lines, I have to zoom to where I cannot get the entire route on the map. I have not had good results in creating smaller routes and merging them in Trainz.

Perhaps I can merge the maps in TransDem, just as I have been using the "add DEM" function when creating the DEM from files I have downloaded from the USGS Seamless Server.

FW

 

[geophil]

The issue I am having with the Tile servers is that in order to see the RR lines, I have to zoom to where I cannot get the entire route on the map.

So? Why not get more than one map clipping then?

Perhaps I can merge the maps in TransDem, just as I have been using the "add DEM" function when creating the DEM from files I have downloaded from the USGS Seamless Server.

DEMs and map clippings are independent of each other.

Each map clipping obtained by the Map Tile client comes fully georeferenced. Get those you need, either by manually moving the preview around, or along a rough path, created at a lower zoom level.

See tutorial 7 "Map Tile Services" on page 130 in the TransDEM main manual for a typical approach.

 

[Approach_Medium]

So? Why not get more than one map clipping then?



DEMs and map clippings are independent of each other.

Each map clipping obtained by the Map Tile client comes fully georeferenced. Get those you need, either by manually moving the preview around, or along a rough path, created at a lower zoom level.

See tutorial 7 "Map Tile Services" on page 130 in the TransDEM main manual for a typical approach.

OK. I have it now. Just needed to do a bit more tutorial.
Now, I still do require the high-res Google Earth maps for some of the raster maps, as these are the only ones that will give me such detail as industry sidings, crossovers, etc.
But I can save a lot of time by not using the hi-res GE maps when I don't need them, like in the middle of the Colorado Rockies!

As for the Dem's, I have had some trouble with SRTM maps having "black holes" where data is missing. I like to use the USGS Seamless 1/3arc maps for my DEM's. However, I think the 1/3arc maps do take more of my computer's resources, so I am limited to a "smaller" overall map.

I enjoy working with very large routes, and have several times come up against TransDem's limits for creating the DEM's (using 1/3arc files from USGS Seamless), and Trainz (TS2010) limitations on importing such large routes. It appears that Trainz limitations are more restrictive than TransDem's. My system has 3Gigs RAM, and is only single core (3.4Ghz), so I am limited there.

FW

 

[geophil]

Now, I still do require the high-res Google Earth maps for some of the raster maps, as these are the only ones that will give me such detail as industry sidings, crossovers, etc.

Switch map type to "Orthophoto", zoom in to a higher level and continue acquiring clippings.

As for the Dem's, I have had some trouble with SRTM maps having "black holes" where data is missing. I like to use the USGS Seamless 1/3arc maps for my DEM's. However, I think the 1/3arc maps do take more of my computer's resources, so I am limited to a "smaller" overall map.

NED DEMs area also available in 1 arc sec resolution. They won't have holes. Even at the same resolution they will be more accurate than SRTM, since NED is terrestrial, SRTM is orbital.

[Edit:] See here for a comparison of NED DEMs: http://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24

 

[Approach_Medium]

Switch map type to "Orthophoto", zoom in to a higher level and continue acquiring clippings.

NED DEMs area also available in 1 arc sec resolution. They won't have holes. Even at the same resolution they will be more accurate than SRTM, since NED is terrestrial, SRTM is orbital.

[Edit:] See here for a comparison of NED DEMs: http://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=24

Thanks for the tips!

FW