TransDEM Guidance.

[mattm]

Hi guys,

Just purchased TransDEM, and after making two or three attempts to read the manual, I have a headache. Admittedly, I have been staring at a computer screen all day... (Note to self: find employment:hehe

My question is this: Is it really nessecesary to read all 167 pages? I like a good novel as much as the next man, but this is a bit too much.

Basically, which parts are 'must-read', and which parts are designed to give me an even bigger headache?

I am hoping some of the thick heads like me (no offence) who have come to grips with this program can offer some guidance as to the best way to go about making sense of the manual.

I'm not after specific assistance in any part of TransDEM (haven't got that far yet:hehe, was just wondering if I could skip reading some of the manual, and still be able to use the program with any degree of success.

Matt.

 

[patchy]

hey matt,

well yes and no
me personally i found the google earth approach the easiest to get my head around
others might see differently

cheers,
patchy

 

[mrscsi]

Hi guys,

Just purchased TransDEM, and after making two or three attempts to read the manual, I have a headache. Admittedly, I have been staring at a computer screen all day... (Note to self: find employment:hehe

My question is this: Is it really nessecesary to read all 167 pages? I like a good novel as much as the next man, but this is a bit too much.

Basically, which parts are 'must-read', and which parts are designed to give me an even bigger headache?

I am hoping some of the thick heads like me (no offence) who have come to grips with this program can offer some guidance as to the best way to go about making sense of the manual.

I'm not after specific assistance in any part of TransDEM (haven't got that far yet:hehe, was just wondering if I could skip reading some of the manual, and still be able to use the program with any degree of success.

Matt.

Well check out the forums there are quite a few tutorials in there

http://forum.transdem.de/index.php

Yes there is a learning curve, no it is not insurmountable, yes reading the manual can give one a headache, and yes there are really good tutorials in the TransDem forums that will bring all the information together.

 

[mattm]

Thanks for the quick replies.

I suppose perseverance is the key then. I'll have a look at the tutorials over at the Transdem site, and give the manual another try.

Oh well, wasn't like I had anything planned for the weekend.:hehe:

Cheers,

Matt.

 

[pfx]

Part of the learning curve is the terminology. This in itself can present a problem if you're unfamiliar with it. As mrsci advised though, the TransDEM forum is the best place to go. Betwen that and the example towards the end of the manual, I managed to get there and I can't claim to have the best IT skills in the world.

 

[geophil]

Did you do the "Muengsten" tutorial (TransDEM Trainz manual)? It tells you that you will need DEM, map and vector line.

How do you get them?

The easy way (not the only one):

• Use the TransDEM Map Tile client to get your maps of the route you want. Make it a short one for the first attempt.
  Follow tutorial 7, "Map Tile Services" from the main manual. It also explains how you get your vector lines.
• You will then get the DEM for your route. Simplest source is SRTM. Use the function "File name info SRTM .hgt" from the "File/DEM" menu. Download from the server and open in TransDEM. No need to unzip.
• Follow the procedure from the Muengsten tutorial to transfer your route to Trainz.

That's it.

 

[mattm]

The easy way (not the only one):

• Use the TransDEM Map Tile client to get your maps of the route you want. Make it a short one for the first attempt.
  Follow tutorial 7, "Map Tile Services" from the main manual. It also explains how you get your vector lines.
• You will then get the DEM for your route. Simplest source is SRTM. Use the function "File name info SRTM .hgt" from the "File/DEM" menu. Download from the server and open in TransDEM. No need to unzip.
• Follow the procedure from the Muengsten tutorial to transfer your route to Trainz.

Geophil,

I did do the Muengsten tutorial; that was easy, but i assume that was because all the 'difficult' parts had been completed by someone else.
I haven't actually tried to procure any data myself just yet; as I said, I'm still trying to read the manual.

Am I to understand that the above method is the easiest/shortest way of procuring the data i need?

Matt.

 

[geophil]

I did do the Muengsten tutorial; that was easy, but i assume that was because all the 'difficult' parts had been completed by someone else.

Not really difficult completing these parts but possibly difficult in an a sense of choosing a suitable option.

Am I to understand that the above method is the easiest/shortest way of procuring the data i need?

Yes.

Later, once you are familiar with the process, you may want to try other geo data sources, too. For NSW, for instance, we have a WMS (Web Mapping Service). Then, of course, there are also aerial images, good for areas where you need utmost detail.

 

[mattm]

Thanks Geophil.

Having a go at it now. I shouldn't have any issues, but if I do, I'm going to register at your forums, and I'll have at look at the tutorials there.

Before I go though, I did have one last question, which is probably answered in the manual: Is there a naming convention that I should stick to for files?

Matt.

 

[geophil]

Is there a naming convention that I should stick to for

The manual doesn't say much about it. The tutorials suggest to use descriptive file names and keep the files for one project in one folder. TransDEM will provide you with default name stubs for a number of file types which you could tailor to your needs. For instance, I add zoom level or scale to Map Tile and WMS file names.

 

[mattm]

Ok, thanks again.

Straight into it now.

Thanks,

Matt.

 

[mattm]

Just thought I'd say thank you to Geophil for his assistance.

Spent the last few hours messing around with TransDEM, and after misreading(and understanding) a few things in the manual, I got a route successfully imported into Trainz.

It's not perfect, but then, I wasn't expecting it to be.

Thank you,

Matt.