TransDEM help needed

[k5laguy]

Hello,

I am new to the Trainz Forums and decided to make my first post on the route building section(s). I am currently planning a prototypical CN route that is based around my home area. In planning to do so, I purchased Roland Zielger's(sorry if I butchered the name) "TranDEM" software. He is a very helpful man and provides good information as do his manuals that come with the software, but I need to know how to start off in terms that I understand.

I am basically looking to have a google-earth image baseboard, or a georeferenced google-earth baseboard. This is all possible with the software but I do not know what the hell I am doing. I have inquired to get help before, but he doesn't seem to be able to get me going, nor to the manuals.

Please anybody reply with a word of advice please. I am getting tired of not being able to utilize the software to build my route.

Thanks.

 

[Sek_Hakuna]

There is a tutorial included with the software to guide one thru the Google Earth image board overlays. I could not get it to work. Roland admitted the process was a bit flakey to use.

I use the "web map tile servers" to create trainz maps. There is also a tutorial for creating them included in the software HELP section.

I have the luxury of a laptop in addition to my Desktop PC, (that Trainz is installed on). This enables me to have Google Earth running on the laptop for reference while building a route.

For creating routes that are very long it is easier to use the Web Mapping Services and yes, there is a tutorial for that also. Roland included some files with the software for setting up the Web Map Tile Servers. Instructions for installing are in the tutorials.

It all seems a bit overwhelming at first, creating maps that is. After a bit of practice I am able to create maps with 400 baseboards in as little as 15 minutes. The maps have the geo referenced raster map overlays showing highways and most of the time the tracks.

Good luck,
Randy

 

[k5laguy]

Hey Randy,

Thanks for the relpy. I understand what you are saying and I appreciate it, but would you be able to give me some specific sections to create geo referenced baseboards for my 44 odd mile long route?

That would include me seeing the google earth images to building my route off of?

But it sounds like you are an experienced user. I know doing a little tutorial would be a hassel, but it would really be appreciated by myself.

Thanks.

 

[Sek_Hakuna]

Google Earth is the problem. I asked Roland about it and I got a vague reply about the functionality of the process.

There is a way to overlay ortho photos onto a map. I have tried that also but met with failure. From what I understand, and I may be way off here, the use of Google Earth images AND ortho images are very time consuming in quantity, (44 miles), and are meant to be used for dense areas like switching yards or train station areas. Whereas one would use 1 or 2 images to get the details needed.

And then there is the whole UTM tiles overlay which I have not ventured into yet.

If you open Transdem, then look on the toolbar on the lower right and see a purple icon with a standard ? for the help. That help is separate from the main program help and is for Trainz. The main program help, not the Trainz help, is where the tutorials are for making a map with georeferenced raster maps from the web map tile servers.

Randy

 

[geophil]

@k5laguy,

Aerial images such as Google Earth have the disadvantage that they always will appear blurred when rendered as a ground texture. Topographic maps are much better.

The easiest way to do a Canadian route is to use Canadian government geo data. There is a chapter on the available data and their usage in TransDEM in the TransDEM main manual, p 161. I would try Toporama WMS first. Do "Tutorial 4: Web Mapping Services 2, MSR Maps, USA" to get acquainted with WMS.

 

[k5laguy]

Alright thanks I will try it out.

 

[k5laguy]

Thanks I will give it a try and use your advise.