TranzDEM, Googl Earth, DEM files and Getting Started

[minernut]

I already have TranzDEM software, already purchased since August 2016. I was lucky enough to find a Google Earth Ground Texture Tutorial in PDF format by Mike Jenkins (ModelerMJ / 606026). The tutorial seams easy once I looked thought it, and I got a bit of a grip on learning TranzDEM software. The only thing that stops me is getting started by "creating a DEM of your route, already stitched together in TransDEM and ready for export to Trainz." I have looked at the other forms involving google earth and TransDEM but I have the utmost trouble with a DEM file. I have my map open for edit in the content manager and I keep thinking that I would take one of the .bmk, .gnd, .lyr, .obs, .trc, and .trk files and create a DEM file through a converter program. How would I create a DEM file of my route and stitch it together? Any help is sincerely appreciated!

 

[JackDownUnder]

Just follow the example contained in the TranzDEM Trainz manual. it works fine as long as you do not skip anything.
Also read the whole manual.

 

[JCitron]

Reading the complete manual, as Jack says, is highly recommended.

The DEM file is created from the data file downloaded from the USGS map server.

You download the zip file, take out the .img file. Open the .img file in TransDEM and that is your DEM data upon which everything else is based.

Here is a link to my quick and easy guide for using TransDEM.

https://1drv.ms/f/s!AkuzBzLIoTefgYMIiOL_KmzF1jNdBQ

These will step you through the process as I use the program. It may not be the most complex way nor use the more complex abilities, but it's probably enough to get you going. Again I make assumptions such as having an understanding of computer file and folder structure and at least an understanding of TransDEM, which you should have be reading through the manual as discussed above.

 

[geophil]

How would I create a DEM file of my route and stitch it together? Any help is sincerely appreciated!

You don't have to read the entire manual, or more precisely, the two of them, to get started with TransDEM. Instead, there is a "Quick Start Guide" in the TransDEM Trainz Manual. It takes you through the essential stages creating a Trainz route from geo data. I always recommend to do that first. It may not necessarily involve the particular data sources you have in mind, e.g. Google Earth or USGS NED DEMs, but it will enable you to achieve a first result. After that, you are most welcome to try out the more advanced options.

 

[minernut]

Thanks guys, I eventually found a website for DEM data www.webgis.com/terraindata.html. Trial and error lead me to click on SRTM1 and a map pulls up of the United States. Region 03 is where I want to start and selected that. More Trial and error lead me to using N41W87.hgt.zip. Downloaded it and pulled it up in TransDEM which showed a large portion of central to northwest Indiana along with the southern portion of Lake Michigan. The next step for me is to georeference Google Earth Images and I don't yet know how to do that.

 

[Jayco-man]

And what I did was change my data in place of his as I did the quick start guide and worked out great. Its not really that bad. Just take your time and work through a little at a time. You can do it. Good luck.