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"Nope!" Not kidding. I just did not know if it was all done with computer software, Some of these route's are so accurate I figured that there had to be some kind of real life survey or video, I can imagine the time it take's to study map's, take photograph's and actaully get out there and see it live. My hat's off to all of you, Jerry
Jerry - several of the developers who are building route for sale have gone down the route with video cameras for a "real life survey," as you put it. Most of us, though, do the majority of our research from the comfort of home. Regardless of whether it's just a hobby or a professional product development, I think everyone uses some form of digital topo map (like USAPhotoMaps - a freeware product in the Train-Sim file library) and digital elevation models (DEMs) to form the terrain. USAPhotoMaps also allows a handy download and display of aerial photos for anyplace in the U.S. As Cal mentioned, there are lots of programs that are out there, many of them free or very low cost, for developing routes. There are also a lot of on-line resources on specific routes or locations, especially if it is a route with a lot of railfans. I've done my route using a huge amount of on-line info. I estimate it to be about 80% accurate, with most of the inaccuracies being in the terrain and structures. So if you're interested in doing some route design, don't let the fact that you're not walking and videoing every foot of the route stop you.Andy
No, you don't need permission. If you were modeling that railroad's equipment, you might need permission to use the logo.The majority of the work in building a route is done in the Route Editor which is part of Train Simulator. There are a variety of utility programs you might want such as DEMEX, Makemarker, TGATOOL2, Paintshop Pro, USAPhotoMaps, Route Riter, RefClean, and numerous others. Most of these are in the File Library under Utilities.Cal Rasmussen Beaverton, OR Columbia Gorge Route (Phase 1 UP side 95%, BNSF side 85%)
As to your first question, the answer is no. As to your second question, I'll tell you what I use and I'm sure others will share what they use and/or recommend in terms of software for route building.To create terrain, I download DEM files from www.mapmart.com and put them together with Demex, a program available at www.dem-ex.com. To create markers, I use USAPhotoMaps, available at jdmcox.com and WayPoints, a available in the file library here.Those are just a few items. There are a lot more that I haven't mentioned.Eric
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." - Wayne Gretzky
Another data item very useful for an accurate route is a book produced by the railroad's engineering department called a profile book - somtimes refered to a chart book. These provide information for every switch, siding, bridge, and curve as well as detailed information on profile. Many profile books also show signal positions though some do not.Modeling a physical object like a railroad, locomotive, or car should not be a trade mark or copyright issue - I am aware that UP has a differnt view on this but such a use of a RR trademark is a fair use as long as you don't represent yourself as the RR or an agent of the RR and you do not do anything to bring disrepute to the RR. Also your credit read me should note any trade marks used as regestered TM of the railroad. If you are doing a payware route it would be a real good idea to get a license from the RR just to head off further problems.Be Seeing you. Michael
There are a number of sources where you can buy profile books, charts, etc. Usually these are some years out of date, but for TSM purposes it does not matter.Railroads have gotten a bit paranoic about giving out much real data lately, since 9-11, but the truth is that anyone having sinister motives can find out all they need in the same locations as we use.It was recommended that you download DEM modules from mapmart, and use DEMEX as the extraction tool. The current version of DEMEX also allows the use of the new (relatively) seamless DEM data, which is available directly from the USGS for free as long as you don't try to download huge amounts at a time. It is not available everywhere, and where it is available it is mostly 30 meter data, but in putting together my future (and current) Milwaukee Road routes, I used it exclusively, and I have also downloaded it for some future L&N routes as well. It was so accurate, that I was able to follow indentations in the extracted terrain, and eroded fills in many cases, which showed up in the DEM data.UsaPhotomaps is an excellent item, which can be downloaded from www.jdmcox.com and is free, although a donation is requested. Among other things, it allows you to digitize waypoints (markers) directly from aerial photographs or topo maps. If they are available, the photographs are the much preferred (by me anyway) method. A utility in DEMEX allows you to convert the generated waypoint files to MSTS marker files. You can only go up to 999 data points per file, and I usually wind up with 10,000 or so by the time I digitize streets, roads etc.Another point is that the coordinate system of MSTS does not line up exactly with USGS coordinate systems. DEMEX contains offset variables that can be adjusted to shift the terrain east-west, north-south, or up-down. It is not uncommon to have to shift the terrain 50 meters laterally, and sometimes 20 meters vertically. When the mentioned indentations in terrain are present, you just tweak a while until your waypoints more or less fit the indentations and you have it.And yes, it takes a lot of time to create these routes.J. H. Sullivan
