Transdem/TANE/Trainz 2022 PE

[livingsteam]

Hi, can't find a clear answer to this question, there's so many versions of Trainz!

I have Trainz 2022 PE. If I understand it correctly, Transdem only works with older versions of Trains, like up to TANE or 2019 maybe?

So if I understand this correctly I can only import Transdem files into older versions of Trainz, not 2022?

But then if I could successfully import Transdem files into TANE, would I then be able to bring the content forward to 2022?

I'm asking because there's a big sale on TANE right now: https://store.steampowered.com/bundle/5306/Platinum_Edition_Bundle_for_TANE/

Thanks for any pointers!

 

[JCitron]

TransDEM will generate routes in the older versions up to T:ANE but these files can be imported fine into TRS22, TRS22 PE and Plus without any issue just like any route. Trainz is unique in this way unlike other programs of its ilk. We've imported routes much older than these without too many issues.

The Platinum Edition is quite a nice deal because it gives you the up-to-date Trainz with some of the features found in Plus such as Surveyor 2.0, and the ability to import HD Terrain routes. Editing an HD Terrain will lower the resolution to 5m grid if you attempt to do that and to be honest, HD Terrain is still WIP.

 

[livingsteam]

OK thanks if I understand you correctly I can import Transdem files into Trainz 2022PE.

Would there be any compelling reason to own T:ANE aside from one more shiny object on my hard drive?

I was confused because I read this on the Transdem site: https://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?p=3448&sid=7c36150a635b5945ac299d7c64e6ad37#p3448

geophil said:

I very much doubt it. N3V hasn't hasn't been very cooperative here.

They did not want to reveal the new file specs to me even back then with T:ANE SP2. Instead their developer suggested to use the N3V provided API. This would have totally contradicted the TransDEM workflow. Evey single baseboard to be created by hand in Trainz Surveyor, then filled with DEM data by TransDEM? What a cumbersome process. That would have set users back to the very beginnings of Trainz.

And I gave up on analyzing the file formats myself after a while, it was costing too much time for too little reward.

I mentioned the situation to N3V when HD terrain came up, with no new result. I did not press it since.

I guess what he's really saying is Transdem doesn't work with the new HD level of detail in 2022?

Thanks again.

 

[JCitron]

The issue is N3V never releases any information on their file structures and the new data structure broke how TransDEM works natively with Trainz. With Trainz being how it is, this isn't so much an issue because we can still import the older versions anyway.

Directly related is it doesn't work directly with HD Terrain but I brought in a TransDEM route and upgraded it. The map-textured surface, however, was trashed due to the inherent 16-textures per baseboard limitation with HD Terrain. This isn't a Trainz thing and is related to our computer hardware. The 23-mile route file size was also really huge and that was before any editing was done.

As far as T:ANE goes, I wouldn't bother. Unless you plan to run the sessions for the routes created in that version. Some people have said that the older sessions have issues with the newer Trainz versions. For me, that's moot because I don't use the built-in routes. I never have even in the early days.

 

[marky7890]

OK thanks if I understand you correctly I can import Transdem files into Trainz 2022PE.

Would there be any compelling reason to own T:ANE aside from one more shiny object on my hard drive?

I was confused because I read this on the Transdem site: https://forum.transdem.de/viewtopic.php?p=3448&sid=7c36150a635b5945ac299d7c64e6ad37#p3448



I guess what he's really saying is Transdem doesn't work with the new HD level of detail in 2022?

Thanks again.

Yes, you can use it to export routes using the 5m grid resolution, but not HD terrain, so you should still be able to import routes into 2022 but at 5m.

 

[OddRails]

Transdem has two features that can be used on Transdem routes that you've imported into Trainz.
It can re-adjust the elevation of your route and it can re-adjust the origin point of your route.

But these features will only work with the original Trains file format that was used until T:ANE service pack 1.

As John pointed out, you can still import Transdem routes into newer versions of Trainz.

If your version of Trainz supports HD graphics, I believe that you can apply that to your imported route.
(I don't have HD graphics, so others will have verify that.)

 

[capdiamont]

Once you have imported your TransDEM route in to Trainz, then if you have plus, you can convert it to HD terrain format and manually apply more detail then.

 

[martinvk]

I've created many maps in TransDEM and have successfully imported them directly into Tranz22PE. I don't convert to HD terrain since I like and need the topographic info that TransDEM paints on the ground, it helps me identify and place various objects. When adding tracks and other objects via TransDEM, make sure they exist in your Trainz22PE or you'll end up with a bunch of unknown objects.
Also be aware that TransDEM has a tendency of attaching two or more splines that are in very close proximity or cross each other, even if they are not the same type. Just some extra work but worth it for all the other benefits.