DEM Database

[harryadkins]

One of the original goals of MSTS-2 was to include a database of US states complete with DEM data and mainline markers. For example, South Carolina would include the entire state DEM data and markers for the NS mainline in the upstate, the CSX mainline in the lower state, and the NS mainline from Spartanburg to Charleston. Such an enterprise might be a lucrative endeavor for a developer and a real asset to beginning (and experienced) route builders.

[Bananarama]

IIRC, the DEM to be included with MSTS-2 was SRTM30 and of very low resolution. User-created route layers, however, similar to what's used in FS-X, could be much higher including 1m LIDAR.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

None of those flight sim earth model data DVD or servers can be used to create routes in Railworks?

[Bananarama]

I suppose it depends on the format the DEM is released in. If already converted to ready-to-go terrain for FS, my guess would be no.

However, the USGS IMG files can be converted using the utilities found at the USGS site, coupled with the necessary headers created by ArcGIS (payware) or QGIS (freeware) (the latter takes a bit of fiddling), then it's a matter of running everything through ReDem. I've converted both 1/3 and 1/9 arc second IMG files and imported it into RW successfully, albeit with a few more hoops to jump through.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

A rather difficult subject it seems that requires some route building expertise to understand, which I do not have.

Is DEM really accurate enough? Some routes which relief is based on DEM have these 'noses' protruding out of trackside upwards slopes at regular intervals, or dents in the downwards slope on the on the valley side. They seem to be the result of individual 'scanlines' by those satellite radar beams that do the actual height profiling/meausering thing.
Can these be smoothed out, or would that reduce the 'cragginess' (sp?) when there actually are rock outcroppings in those places?

[Bananarama]

Depends on the resolution (height accuracy) of the DEM files and if they were cleaned or re-sampled. For a brief explanation of DEM: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_elevation_model

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

I want to know if these noses and dents can be smoothed out afterwards? Or only in the "earth forming" phase of your route building, when you are shaping the terrain in "God mode"?

[Bananarama]

Yes, it can all be smoothed, but the RW smoothing feature can be a bit heavy handed.

[_o_OOOO_oo-Kanawha]

Yes, it can all be smoothed, but the RW smoothing feature can be a bit heavy handed.

Thanks, Marc.

Then it would be nice if you could switch off/on the "layers" which make up your route. That would make a nice feature, wouldn't it?
I.e.
0 - raw terraform data with those squares and contour lines, like in a mesh wire grid
1 - decals/textures that cover the grid
2 - tracks, the first layer of infrastructure to which the signals and loft items are anchored, berms perhaps also
3 - said loft items
4 - nature, trees, bushes, shrubs
5 - roads, buildings, vehicles, lamps and the rest of the scenery

If that is too much layers, three at minimum will do I think: bare tabletop, tracks and scenery.

[barnez]

I want to know if these noses and dents can be smoothed out afterwards? Or only in the "earth forming" phase of your route building, when you are shaping the terrain in "God mode"?

Why pigeonhole yourself into a "god mode"? I'm always making minor terrain adjustments from the DEM data. Remember Snap To Track is very useful for getting the terrain under the track to go where it's supposed to. Also remember 1/9 & 1/3 arc data are actually a tighter mesh than RW's terrain grid so ya, DEM is pretty accurate (minus the errors & bogeys)

-barnez