Transdem

dabbie

New member
I am now the proud licensee of Transdem,hoping to begin making prototypical routes instead of imaginary ones.However,after spending time going through all the "paperwork" I still haven.t a clue how to get from say, for instance,saving google earth shots to putting the route into Trainz. Is there a Trans dem guru out there,willing to write a tutorial from start to finish.Just a one baseboard stretch of line would do.
Rgards in deparation and frutration. Bob:confused: :confused:
 
I am now the proud licensee of Transdem,hoping to begin making prototypical routes instead of imaginary ones.However,after spending time going through all the "paperwork" I still haven.t a clue how to get from say, for instance,saving google earth shots to putting the route into Trainz. Is there a Trans dem guru out there,willing to write a tutorial from start to finish.Just a one baseboard stretch of line would do.
Rgards in deparation and frutration. Bob:confused: :confused:


Bob,

unfortunately (;)) there are several different ways of creating a Trainz map with TransDEM, dependent on the geo data available or on your personal preferences. Hence, any tutorial "a" to "z" would always cover selected aspects only. Of course, there are some "best practises", but still, we have a few of those, mostly related to the kind of maps and aerial imagery being processed. I have tried to cover some of them with the tutorials in the manuals. And there is an overview of the entire process in the introductory chapters which should give you the general idea how it all works.

In your particular case I guess you have successfully completed some of the tutorials in the two manuals.

You already have your DEM? Did you incorporate a topographic map? (Not an absolute requirement, but helpful in most cases.)

What kind of problem did you encounter with Google Earth? Were you able to geo-reference a GE screenshot in TransDEM? Did you try to export UTM tiles? Where did you get stuck?

geophil
 
I followed the Tutorial No2. Google Earth and Transdem to the letter with no problems at all.Until I reached point 5. Alternative ways... What do I actally have to do after completing point 4.My saves are in my documents folder,what do I do with them now?
Bob
 
I followed the Tutorial No2. Google Earth and Transdem to the letter with no problems at all.Until I reached point 5. Alternative ways... What do I actally have to do after completing point 4.My saves are in my documents folder,what do I do with them now?
Bob

All right. Tutorial successfully completed then.

You have also completed tutorial 1 in the TransDEM Trainz manual I guess, at least part 1 and 2. Sample data for this tutorial consists of a 1:50000 topogr. map and overlaid large scale 1:5000 map clippings. The large scale clippings could also be GE orthophotos. Both medium scale and large scale clippings have been combined into a group of georeferenced raster images.

The group (*.lgb) is for convenience only. To create such a group for your GE images, open more than one georeferenced raster map and GE screenshot in TransDEM (*.trf + *.gif), starting with the smaller scale background map, if any. Once all clippings are open, save again, using the same save button as with an individual georef. map or orthophoto. TransDEM will now create this group file for you. Then, with such a group at your disposal, you can follow the instructions of tutorial part 2 again, this time with your own data.

(BTW: Don't export GE images to Trainz as ground texture. The results would be disappointing.)

geophil
 
I have studiously completed all the tutorials,but they still do not explain how to get from Google Earth onto a baseboard in trainz.I have never considered myself thick,but I just cannot understand the concept. I only want to use Google earth with Transdem because Google has all the info I require.Why is it not possible to obtain a tutorial a-z on the use of google Earth with transdem only.Once i understand how to get the info from google to a working practical route in trainz I,m sure the rest will fall into place.I'm sure with an a-z tutorial many more will want to make use of this potentially excellent thought out programme,I say potentially,because without a basic understanding of how to get all the info into trainz it is just sitting on my workbench grinning at me.
regards Bob.:o
 
Google Earth images are usually considered "large scale" in our world here. In medium high resolution these are 0.5 or 0.6 meters per pixel. With TransDEM and Trainz their natural representation is the UTM tile with 2048 pixels per 1000 m, if you want to see it on the Trainz map.

Hence, TransDEM Trainz tutorial 1, part 2, covering UTM tile export for large scale maps and plans, applies to Google Earth as well.

There is no way to transfer a mid-hi res. Google Earth image to Trainz ground texture, if you are looking for that. Ground texture resolution is limited to 1 pixel per 10 meter (!), the Trainz ground vertex grid. The Google Earth image would appear completely blurred. Did you try this? Is this the problem?

You still have the option of vector data, by tracing track in TransDEM with GE images loaded, using the built-in Simple Route Editor, and then export it as track splines to Trainz.

geophil
 
Ok roland I'll keep at it.If I have any queries I'go over to the transdem queries on the other site at UK Trains. I have also downloaded your British streemap tutorial to examine.
Bob
 
geophil,

The source for the changes in the .tso and .obs files was Mike Carter(Thackalane). He is presently hard at work on a successor to SCS2006 which will be an external program called SCS2006 Pro Editor. This version reads the Trainz Data Base for either TRS2006 or TC and will be used for creating scenarios(sessions) which will work with a runtime SCS2006Pro.CDP and the runtime Trainz Data Base. The changes were minor and probably could have little or no impact on other software but they did have an impact on the dual capability for doing TRS/TC track scans and many other features of SCS2006 Pro Editor which access information from those files. There is also some change in TC which causes a problem with using TrainzMap. This is being explored.

regards,

charles
 
keep trying...

8)=Cool-I have no gold teeth...

Dabbie, I used the GE tutorial, and made UTM tiles for a number of baseboards, in a route I'm working on.

You have to follow the setup for GE to the letter, including screenshots @ 2 kilometers.

The screenies, are made using the screenshot command from the GE toolbar.

These are added to the map, and the Create Route adds all this into the route.

In Surveyor, you click on the baseboard, and the UTM tile automatically appears.

Set the camera directly overhead, and switch to grid view on the Surveyor toolbar, on the upper right corner of the screen.

When you do this right, all the tiles align perfectly.

The view may be a little fuzzy, however you can make out railroads, highways, and waterways.

Frequently reviewing other maps, GE, etc, will help you get an idea of what you wish to add to the map.

Also, add all the area you think you might need, as it is a pain to do later.
 
Thank you Allen I'll keep at it. I am missing something here.Do I first have to go into trainz and set up a baseboard and give it a name/Do I go into transdem and give a name to the files I am trying to copy in Google Earth.When does the content manager come into this.It is quite obvious I'm suffering from some kind of brain fag at the moment.I just cannot get the "penny to drop" What a prat.

Bob
 
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...I left out this part...

8) In direct answer to your query, the entire trick, is done by TrainzDEM!

You develope all the files necessary for T'DEM to use, and open the Trainz Tool menu, following the tut', and go to town.

I made a TransDEM Manual, out of the .pdf file...your able to do this by right of ownership of the purchase of the utility.

Of course, I figured out how to use both sides of the page, used a 1" foldout binder, made a cover-page out of the first page on the .pdf file, and printed in color.

Any print program, can do this, if you try...don't be afraid of the scrap, this happens in a print shop too.

Get it usable to you without having to use a computer, so you can carry the manual with you to read when you have time. I personally think this is the key to my success with TransDEM as well as several other utilities, like the Auran Trainz Content Creation Manual.

I gladly spent more money in paper and ink in the T'DEM manual, than the 20EUR. the program cost...and need to study it regularly!

That's my secrete!
 
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