TransDEM Trainz Edition is a dedicated version of TransDEM, enhanced with specific export functionality for Auran/N3V Trainz Simulator 2010, Trainz Simulator 2009, Trainz Railroad Simulator 2006 and 2004.
This additional export functionality enables the user to create Trainz route maps in TransDEM, using geo data currently loaded.
Direct creation of all files which make up a Trainz route map.
Alignment of the Trainz baseboard raster with the UTM grid, hearby allowing for future seamless merging of route modules.
Terrain shaping by DEM data.
Ground texture (limited resolution) based on raster map.
UTM tiles. These are 1000 x 1000m flat 3D-objects which serve as texture carriers. Textures are taken from larger scale raster maps, plans or orthophotos with a texture size of 1024 x 1024 or 2048 x 2048 pixels. A UTM tile is used as a template for route building in Surveyor. TransDEM aligns these tiles with the UTM grid and places them automatically.
Direct creation of track elements (spline type objects) from 2D and 3D vector data. Automatic terrain adjustment for elaborate 3D track geometry (such data requires an external CAD tool)
Absolute coordinates by employing the Trainz World Origin object. Allows for later editing of georeferenced data to an existing route, in particular UTM tiles and spline objects.
Re-import of track splines to TransDEM, for further external processing with a CAD tool and subsequent re-export.
Elevation adjustment for a conventionally built “sea-level” route module to the DEM level of a TransDEM generated module.
Documentation in a separate manual in pdf format. Overview, reference and tutorial sections, 77 pages.
With the DEM export and the creation of ground textures TransDEM generates a complete Trainz route map which can be opened immediately in TRS2004 Surveyor. TRS2006 requires the additional CWith the DEM export and the creation of ground textures TransDEM generates a complete Trainz route map which can be opened immediately in TRS2004 Surveyor. TRS2006 and above requires the additional CMP import step.
DEM export and map creation features:
Creation of a new route with DEM shaped terrain and ground textures
Size of the new map is defined by an optional rectangular mask, marking the export area, and a route filter, limiting terrain extension to the right and left of the route. This yields the baseboards to be created, each 720 x 720 m wide.
Trainz baseboards are subdivided into a 10 m raster. TransDEM obtains the elevation for each raster point from the DEM.
Each 10m raster point also receives a colour texture which forms the initial ground texturing. The colour is derived from the topographic map loaded in TransDEM. TransDEM provides a set of 20 predefined monochrome colour textures, resembling most often used map colours.
Vector data can be used to emphasise the course of the railway line on the ground texture in a distinct colour.
A 1000m UTM grid will also be drawn to the ground texture
Creation and placement of the Trainz World Origin object. This object allows for “absolute” coordinates and provides the reference for later addition of UTM tiles and spline objects at their designated position.
Generation of the route map is an automatic process. The user provides a few parameters to control this process. In the simplest case the only parameter is the name of the new route.
The following images illustrate route generation in practice:
Image 1 is a typical TransDEM view. A DEM has been opened, a previously georeferenced raster map and a simple vector route. TransDEM has also drawn a 1000m UTM grid (purple) and the 720 m Trainz baseboard grid (grey).
Image 2 shows the mini-map in TRS2006 Surveyor after successful TransDEM map generation. The predefined texture and mini-map resolution is 1 pixel per 10 m. This causes the mini-map image and the ground texture to appear somewhat blurred. The purple UTM grid is clearly visible and with some effort, the baseboard raster is recognisable, too. The latter is drawn by Surveyor. Both grids are identical to image 1.
Image 3 is a view on TransDEM generated Terrain in Surveyor. The location is approximately south east on the compass circle on the mini-map in image 2, looking north west. Clearly visible is the emphasised course of the line (in this image already amended with a track spline) and one of the UTM grid lines in the foreground.
Note: These images are taken from the tutorial example which is explained in the manual step by step. Data for it is provided as well.
The terrain ground texture with its rather coarse resolution of 1 pixel per 10 m is not a suitable way to represent larger scale maps. For such maps (plans, orthophotos) an approach with texture carrier objects my be helpful. Such objects, called UTM tiles in TransDEM, are ordinary 3D content objects.
UTM tile export features
Suitable for larger scale maps and plans, for which ground texture resolution is too low, e.g. 1:25000, 1:10000, 1:5000, 1:1000, and for orthophotos (orbital or aerial images).
Creation of UTM-aligned helper templates of 1000 x 1000m and 500 x 500 m as separate and ordinary content objects
Export of these tile objects with individual textures of up to 4096 x 4096 pixels (limitable).
Tile selection by rectangular mask.
TransDEM takes care of accurate texture clipping and assignment.
TransDEM places these object at their designated postion in an existing Trainz route map.
The following images illustrate UTM tile generation and placement in practice:
Image 4 shows the selection of UTM tiles in TransDEM. A rectangular mask (a bit difficult to see) has been dragged around intersecting grid lines drawn in the 1000 m raster. This mask encompasses two tiles. The grey areas reflect the larger scale map clippings which are unsuitable for the ground texture.
Note: This example is from the tutorial which is explained in the manual step by step. Data for it is provided as well.
Image 5 shows the exported texture for the northern tile in image 4, having a size of 1024 x 1024 pixel originally. The background depicts the entire texture in a reduced size of 512 x 512 pixels. The foreground clipping is part of the texture in its original scale.
Image 6 shows the complete UTM tile object with the map texture applied, rendered in Jet-Viewer , a 3D viewer for Trainz content objects.
Image 7 is a Surveyor view, showing the southern UTM tile, automatically aligned with the UTM grid, and currently hovering above the TransDEM terrain generated earlier.
TransDEM can generate Trainz spline objects from vector data and hereby place railway track, roads or water courses.
Vector data export features:
Support for 2D and 3D data
Vector data without elevations (2D data) are used to mark or peg out the course of a line
Vector data with elevations (3D) can be interpreted as elaborate track geometry and allows for
automatic adjustment of terrain to the track alignment, shaping cuttings and embankments.
automatic placement of junctions, including “levers”.
Note: TransDEM itself does to offer tools for elaborating accurate track geometry. An external tool is required here, too, e.g. a CAD utility.
User selectable KUID
TransDEM supports re-import of track splines from existing Trainz routes, provided the route has a valid World Origin object
Under certain conditions, the World Origin objects can be added to an existing Trainz route.
Image 8 shows TransDEM-generated track splines from elaborate 3D vector data with automatic terrain adjustment.
(Elaboration of track geometry requires an external tool.)
Image 9 shows TransDEM generated track splines and junctions for a station from elaborate 3D data.
(Elaboration of track geometry requires an external tool.)
(Detailed release notes can be found in the TransDEM documentation.)
Full TS2010 compatibility
Write and read native TS2010 route file formats
Utilses TS2010 layers for UTM tiles and vextor data
Additional UTM tiles of 500 x 500m
Full TS2009 compatibility
Write and read native TS2009 route file formats
Support of 5 m terrain grid
New KUID cache for generated routes and UTM tiles
More flexible KUID assignment for vector data export
Optional variable baseboard grid offset for improved compatibility with existing route modules./span>
Direct creation of all files which make up a Trainz route map.
Generation of Trainz spline objects from vector data
Automatic placement of UTM tiles
bilingual version English/German
First published release of TransDEM Trainz Edition
DEM and ground texture export to HOG
UTM tile export
© 2005 - 2010 Roland Ziegler