TranzDem UTM tiles

Approach_Medium

Trainz Addict
Hello;
I just purchased TransDem Trainz edition, and after studying the docs, I have some results, and some interesting observations, as well as questions.

First, I downloaded my DEMs from seamless.usgs.gov after selecting the area I wanted. This area is the northern New Jersey USA, for those who are interested.
Next, I began capturing images in Google Earth, and GeoReferencing these in TransDem.
I find that you have to be careful in GE to return the view to default (N dir, and no tilt), or Transdem will reject the coordinate file. That makes sense of course, so I do a small chunk at a time so as not to get too far with GE captures that aren't of any use<g>.

I then added a rough route, using the GE sat images to guide me. This works very nicely, and i find that I can actually get crossovers between two parallel tracks in this manner.
I finally created a Trainz (2006) map from the DEM, Raster, and Route data.
What I got was my terrain, and the tracks, but only rudimentary ground texture.

After reading further in the Transdem Trainz edition manual, i find that using UTM Tiles is the only way to get complicated ground texture from GE to appear on my Trainz map.
I followed the tutorial, except using my route instead of the demo one, and I got my UTM tiles located just a bit below the ground level in the Trainz map created in the previous step.

Now I have some interesting observations:
First, I have GE images from a railroad yard, and there were several trains standing in the yard, and on the main track when the photo was taken, so these now appear in my Trainz map.

Since I cannot change ground texture if the UTM Tiles are above the ground (after adjusting them that way), I suppose that these are mostly useful when aligning tracks and placing the real ground texture that you want.
I would assume that after I get done with a section of my Trainz route, I will remove the UTM tiles.

Another method of placing track without having to use UTM Tiles, is to use the Polylines in Transdem, tracing the RR route while zoomed in close to see the tracks.
I have been doing this with the GE images I am using, and it works very well.

Still, the UTM Tiles seem to be very useful for locating important objects on the map.

Anyone been doing this for a while and have some comments/tips?

I am so happy to be working with TransDem, and have success in doing what the program was designed to do. I am impressed with the program, as it seems to be very stable (hasn't crashed yet), and includes every feature I would want.

Thanks for your tips/comments

FW
 
About the only tip i've got is possibly searching for maps better than google earth! Bernie is sure there are some out there if you look hard enough, probably better quality than GE.
 
About the only tip i've got is possibly searching for maps better than google earth! Bernie is sure there are some out there if you look hard enough, probably better quality than GE.
There are other sat maps, but some are not free. GE is pretty good for a free product.
Also, GE allows me to do the GeoRef very easily. I cannot do that with Microsoft's Live Earth for example.

FW
 
Microsoft TerraServer

Have you tried using Microsoft’s TerraServer USA located here: http://terraserver-usa.com/ ? It has some excellent maps of northern New Jersey, and will generate accurate UTM tiles.

If you are using Transdem 1.3, you can take advantage of it’s Web Mapping Services, located in the Raster Map drop down menu. Using WMS in conjunction with the TerraServer Map Server, will speed up the terrain generating process.

I like to adjust the UTM tiles just below the surface, switch to Wire Frame mode, and draw in my lines. Keep your view perpendicular to the tile surface for accuracy.
This process is a little more time consuming than ready made Tiger Lines in HOG, but is much more accurate.

Good Luck, Joe
 
I'll add that one thing I have to worry about when using UTM tiles that are hidden below ground; I need to be carefull with the move and rotate scenery tools - if I miss whatever building or sign I'm moving, it will move the UTM tile out of position, and I may not notice it until too late, making it hard to put it back in position.
I've also done two sets of UTM tiles sometimes - one with a topo map, and one with terraserver or google earth pics. I'll just move them up and down so the one I want to look at is on top.
 
Have you tried using Microsoft’s TerraServer USA located here: http://terraserver-usa.com/ ? It has some excellent maps of northern New Jersey, and will generate accurate UTM tiles.

If you are using Transdem 1.3, you can take advantage of it’s Web Mapping Services, located in the Raster Map drop down menu. Using WMS in conjunction with the TerraServer Map Server, will speed up the terrain generating process.

I like to adjust the UTM tiles just below the surface, switch to Wire Frame mode, and draw in my lines. Keep your view perpendicular to the tile surface for accuracy.
This process is a little more time consuming than ready made Tiger Lines in HOG, but is much more accurate.

Good Luck, Joe
Terraserver does not produce ortho maps with nearly as much detail as GE does.

FW
 
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