This is the start of a series of posts about my attempt to create a large US route (160 miles) using TranzDEM. I used OpenStreetMaps (OSM) for map data and USGS for DEM data.
I encountered significant troubles with the Tile Map Export. I am not sure if that was related to my PC (not enough memory, etc), or if I did some things wrong. With the full route (160 miles), the UTM Tile Map export failed immediately. Using a reduced route (60 miles), many tiles did not get exported. For a small route (20 miles), everything worked fine.
But ultimately, I don't actually need the UTM Tile export. The textures can also be added to the DEM export, and that is good enough. But it would have been nice to have the textures in a separate layer.
I am still a beginner with TranzDEM. What I present below may not be the best way, or the right way.
Read the documentation or watch the following YouTube tutorial when something is not clear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Meeq_5_keYs
Summary of Tasks
Preparation
Next: TranzDEM US Route: Get Overview Raster Map from OpenStreetMaps
I encountered significant troubles with the Tile Map Export. I am not sure if that was related to my PC (not enough memory, etc), or if I did some things wrong. With the full route (160 miles), the UTM Tile Map export failed immediately. Using a reduced route (60 miles), many tiles did not get exported. For a small route (20 miles), everything worked fine.
But ultimately, I don't actually need the UTM Tile export. The textures can also be added to the DEM export, and that is good enough. But it would have been nice to have the textures in a separate layer.
I am still a beginner with TranzDEM. What I present below may not be the best way, or the right way.
Read the documentation or watch the following YouTube tutorial when something is not clear. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Meeq_5_keYs
Summary of Tasks
- Get a coarse (large-scale) Raster Map. I used OpenStreetMap (OSM), as TransDEM has support for it.
- Trace the Rail Route, using the Raster Map.
- Get the Rail Vector Route from OSM, using JOSM and the traced rail route. Optionally get Road Vector Routes.
- Get DEM Data. I used USGS 1/3 arc-sec data.
- Get detailed Raster Map Tiles along the Rail Route.
- Export the DEM, Raster Map Tiles, and Vector Routes.
- Import the generated route data into Trainz.
Preparation
- Follow the "Additional Installations" section in the documentation, and install the TransDEM Ground Textures, and the Trainz Mesh Importer.
- Download the example tile map server file from http://www.rolandziegler.de/StreckeUndLandschaft/downloadEngl.htm
- Import the Map Tile Sample Settings into TransDEM, using "Raster Map" -> "Map Tile Servers".
- Click on "Settings" and use "Import".
- Optional: Set the "Trainz Custom Content Folder" in "Options" -> "Settings" -> "Trainz Global Export Parameters".
- The default is to use the Trainz build "editing" directory. This can cause problems with actions in Trainz.
- Better is to use a Trainz-independent directory.
Next: TranzDEM US Route: Get Overview Raster Map from OpenStreetMaps
Last edited: