I was experimenting recently with the concept of a (virtual) new alignment between two capitals. Unfortunately, TransDEM seemed to reject the last 3 DEM hgt files. The route is roughly 1300 kms in length.
Obviously I wasn't going to export it with 1M or even 5M terrain. But was kind of curious as to what it would look like in game. Even after downsizing the 14 .hgt files that were necessary, it still didn't like it and said 'DEM operation aborted'.
I assume this is beyond the game's capability. I know this is quite large by the game's standards. But there are still folks working on routes that are well over 600kms in length. Is there any solution, or is too much for both TRS and TransDEM?
Transcontinental routes
Re: Transcontinental routes
The primary limitation is available memory. On my current 64GB and 8/16 core machine, I successfully created a 20GB DEM last summer, 1m resolution, ca 70x50km, mainly for fun and test purposes. It had to be combined from Belgian, Dutch and German sources, 0.5m and 1m, many chunks, three different file formats and three different projections, reprojected to two different UTM zones, merged into one. It took quite a while to build, consumed all memory and had the CPU fans whirling. It clearly brought TransDEM to its limits but it worked.
I am not sure what the limits in Trainz are these days, but a few years back a 1GB route was about maximum.
What you need to keep in mind when building a route in east/west direction is the likelihood of crossing UTM zone borders. For our purposes here you can extend your wisely chosen central UTM zone with one adjacent zone east and west without much distortion (still below 5m). So, theoretically, 1000 - 1500 km should be possible in moderate latitudes, even with 10m resolution (not with 1m, of course). However, distortion will become a factor, if extending further. (Compare Greenland and Africa on typical world maps in Mercator projection and you get the idea.)
I am not sure what the limits in Trainz are these days, but a few years back a 1GB route was about maximum.
What you need to keep in mind when building a route in east/west direction is the likelihood of crossing UTM zone borders. For our purposes here you can extend your wisely chosen central UTM zone with one adjacent zone east and west without much distortion (still below 5m). So, theoretically, 1000 - 1500 km should be possible in moderate latitudes, even with 10m resolution (not with 1m, of course). However, distortion will become a factor, if extending further. (Compare Greenland and Africa on typical world maps in Mercator projection and you get the idea.)
Re: Transcontinental routes
That's interesting to hear. Vaguely relieving.
Rather than create another thread, is it possible to recreate DEM for the same route that's had some track laid in it?
Various reworks of the track that is rather tricky in general have resulted in height disagreements between the track and the terrain, to the point where it looks to be floating.
Or alternatively, how does one copy track from one route to another that includes the exact same world coordinates?
Rather than create another thread, is it possible to recreate DEM for the same route that's had some track laid in it?
Various reworks of the track that is rather tricky in general have resulted in height disagreements between the track and the terrain, to the point where it looks to be floating.
Or alternatively, how does one copy track from one route to another that includes the exact same world coordinates?