TransDEM

[Laddie]

Hi Guys,

What sort of experiences have you guys had using TransDEM?
Recently I've been trying to recreate my local area but, its taken forever to do a small part and basically, its ended up looking like another planet than this one.

Would I be able to get digital elevation models for the North East of england, Newcastle, Durham, Darlington, etc?
What are the userguides/tutorials like? Would I be likely to get a good result? Basically use TransDEM and go straight into texturing, etc?
And finally, what good quality routes have been created using TransDem? I wouldn't mind seeing the results.

Cheers,
Michael

 

[Jayturf]

transdem is the way to go! I have created a pretty good route...still not uploaded but getting there. http://forums.auran.com/trainz/showthread.php?t=51395

it is pretty easy to learn..especially with the help of google earth. I would highly recommend it to everyone.

 

[Vern]

Transdem is extremely good for doing UK routes.

You can find the 90m DEM at the NASA SRTM site.

For mapping you have several choices - you can use the built in access to Google, Yahoo or Open Street Maptile servers for the overlay or what I do is to copy and paste screendumps from OS Maps (obtained from Streetmap) and stitch these together in a paint application, before georeferencing in Transdem and exporting with the terrain.

There are a couple of tutorials in the Transdem Help which, while not directly for the UK territory, are recommended that you work through to understand how the software operates.

 

[Laddie]

It all sounds good.

Is it easier to use than MapMaker 3i? I tried that at the weekend and nearly went insane lol

 

[Jayturf]

it is super easy. The hard part will be the first map...after that it's a cinch. basically you load up your dem. Georeferace raster maps (google earth images etc.) and trace your route out on the map. This tells the program where the route is and when you export it you can choose how many baseboards you want to go on either side of the track. pretty sweet

 

[Paulsw2]

It's a bit of a learning curve at the beginning, though the tutorials are very good. I strongly recommend it - it produces terrain far better and more realistic looking than anything you could achieve by hand.

Paul

 

[Laddie]

Hi,

I think I might be getting it soon

 

[RRSignal]

I'll have to wait until TS2010 support is out, but my fingers are twitching in anticipation.

 

[JCitron]

Hi,

I think I might be getting it soon

I just got it myself and still learning how to use it!

John

 

[Vern]

I'll have to wait until TS2010 support is out, but my fingers are twitching in anticipation.

You can create your maps as TS2009 format and these will be supported in '10, even down to the 5m resolution terrain.

 

[durhamlass]

Hi Guys,

What sort of experiences have you guys had using TransDEM?
Recently I've been trying to recreate my local area but, its taken forever to do a small part and basically, its ended up looking like another planet than this one.

I'm currently working on a TransDEM based route of the Bishop Auckland area in the 1950s/60s and once I got the hang of it (which took a couple of goes) it was pretty straightforward. SRTM data for the North East is freely available, so no worries there. The trickiest bit is getting the hang of the coordinate systems (unfortuntely that's one area that isn't easily simplified - geodetics are always complicated!).

There's a bunch of info on http://nosleeptilspennymoor.blogspot.com/ - if it helps some of the early posts show how I used the DEM.

Speaking of which, the blog's long overdue for an update. I'm bogged down in Shildon Yards at the moment, but once that's done it should be time for some more screenshots.

 

[Laddie]

@durhamlass
I'm thinking of doing newcastle through to darlington to start with, as I live in Chester le Street. So its good to know that the DEM data is available. FYI, i've been checking your blog for a while now and its looking good, well done.

So, is TransDEM Trainz compatible with TRS2010EE?
I was going to order it the other day, but PayPal was playing up, just managed to get my account verified again today. But I'd need it to be compatible with 2010 as there is no way in hell im going to use 2006 again.

Cheers.

 

[Dreadnought1]

As for accuracy with DEM maps, Jerker very kindly created a DEM map for me of the VR Waubra Junction-Waubra line a couple of years ago. Luckily I had access to the original two railway surveys and the official height information and was able to compare the DEM with the original survey data (and I was able to lay the tracks exactly as surveyed to ensure the comparison was accurate). Having lived locally, I can say the DEM looked good and after checking out the figures, the DEM ended up being up to 2 metres out in only 2 or 3 spots and under 1 metre variation in the majority of locations. Considering the surveys were originally done in the 1880s, that's not a bad result but the area is not heavily wooded and has no heavily built-up areas so I presume that would certainly help with the radar mapping. What I did find is that the variation tended to err on the high side rather than being lower than actual height - something which I've found with many DEM maps.

A similar comparison of the VR Red Cliffs-Yelta line map (also made for me by Jerker) came through with similar results.

Thanks to Jerker again for his production of some very fine DEM maps!

Cheers,
Dreadnought1

 

[sysdfg]

Semi newbe here,

I don't post unless I've something to contribute. Bought TransDem and used it to setup the area for St. Louis, MO., TRRA. One of the great things I found out about the product was, not only can you map the route, you can lay the streets also.

That alone has saved me an enormous amount of time. Right now I'm doing final tweaks and I hope to have it uploaded for everyone. The only thing I wished TransDem would do is pull the buildings from Google Earth.

Owner of the software is very helpful, I'd recommend this to anyone who is a stickler for details.

 

[jukeboxblues]

One of the great things I found out about the product was, not only can you map the route, you can lay the streets also.

If you have some time could you elaborate on this aspect of TransDem. I've had the software since Saturday and have managed to import the DEM into Trainz 2009 but still can't figure out how to import the vector data. Also the DEM I imported was like 36 base maps...need to figure out how to par that down, too.

I really appreciate all of you who contribute to the knowledge of Trainzville.

 

[durhamlass]

@durhamlass
I'm thinking of doing newcastle through to darlington to start with, as I live in Chester le Street. So its good to know that the DEM data is available. FYI, i've been checking your blog for a while now and its looking good, well done.

Thanks! It's proving to be an interesting "little" project.

By the way, you might want to be aware that the ECML guys are doing Newcastle to Darlington (circa mid 1970s) as part of the ECML North route. I've no idea what the ETA for it is, though.

So, is TransDEM Trainz compatible with TRS2010EE?
I was going to order it the other day, but PayPal was playing up, just managed to get my account verified again today. But I'd need it to be compatible with 2010 as there is no way in hell im going to use 2006 again

It can currently generate TS2009 5m grid maps, which TS2010 can import and convert to its own native format directly. So effectively yes for most TransDEM functionality (the exception being post-adjustment of map heights, which to be honest I've never had to use).

I would imagine full TS2010 support will follow soon. In the meantime, it should certainly be usable for map creation in TS2010.

 

[JCitron]

@durhamlass
I'm thinking of doing newcastle through to darlington to start with, as I live in Chester le Street. So its good to know that the DEM data is available. FYI, i've been checking your blog for a while now and its looking good, well done.

So, is TransDEM Trainz compatible with TRS2010EE?
I was going to order it the other day, but PayPal was playing up, just managed to get my account verified again today. But I'd need it to be compatible with 2010 as there is no way in hell im going to use 2006 again.

Cheers.

Laddie,

The program is compatible with TS2010. Export the trainz file as TS2009 and above.

I agree it's a great program that I need to spend more time with when I get a chance. I have some project in mind to work on.

John

 

[Laddie]

Thanks for the replies guys.

I got TransDEM Trainz last night and managed to get the Kidsgrove tutorial to work. Although I think i had the base height very wrong...

Cheers

 

[sysdfg]

If you have some time could you elaborate on this aspect of TransDem. I've had the software since Saturday and have managed to import the DEM into Trainz 2009 but still can't figure out how to import the vector data. Also the DEM I imported was like 36 base maps...need to figure out how to par that down, too.

I really appreciate all of you who contribute to the knowledge of Trainzville.

My self I'm no expert by far with TransDem, it took me about a week struggling until I followed the tutorial exactly step by step. Do a search and you can find a couple of other tutorials. Sorry I can't really help you further.