Marker file generators

Which is your favorite?

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RE: Marker file generators..., Richard, Mar-23-04, 09:33 AM, (1) RE: Marker file generators..., calr, Mar-23-04, 11:24 AM, (2) RE: Marker file generators..., XRails, Mar-23-04, 06:10 PM, (3) RE: Marker file generators..., Richard, Mar-23-04, 08:04 PM, (4) RE: Marker file generators..., XRails, Mar-23-04, 08:43 PM, (5) RE: Marker file generators..., Richard, Mar-23-04, 10:52 PM, (6) RE: Marker file generators..., CARex, Mar-24-04, 08:38 AM, (7) RE: Marker file generators..., rocky, Mar-28-04, 02:04 AM, (8) RE: Marker file generators..., merlin78, Mar-28-04, 05:44 AM, (9) RE: Marker file generators..., XRails, Mar-28-04, 04:25 PM, (10) RE: Marker file generators..., Richard, Mar-28-04, 08:37 PM, (11) RE: Marker file generators..., landnrailroader, Mar-28-04, 09:01 PM, (12) RE: Marker file generators..., pwillard, Jul-30-04, 01:45 PM, (13) RE: Marker file generators..., BN_9402, Jul-30-04, 02:14 PM, (14) RE: Marker file generators..., landnrailroader, Jul-30-04, 04:22 PM, (15)

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I like the Convert program. Just enter in start and stop coordinates, press execute and it does all the work for you.Have fun,
Rich S.

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One of the first to come out and still my favorite is Makemarker. I have used USAPhotomaps but I find the photo alignments to be inaccurate. Cal Rasmussen
Beaverton, OR
(My email is in my profile)Columbia Gorge Route (Phase 1-- Uploaded)

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Thanks! I might start a route, I've fooled around with the RE on some blank maps, but I may take a second look now that I have been further enlightened in DEMs, markers and such.

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Have patience and remember to backup regularly. Route building is fun, but can be very frustrating at times. The RE likes to throw fits every so often, at which time you'll probably have to go to a backup. What route are you thinking about starting? Take care,
Rich S.

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I was contemplating the Airline, my local trackage in central Connecticut between New Haven and Middletown, the remnants of an old express line from New York to Boston. A shortline, The Connecticut Central, worked the line daily up until a few years ago when they were bought out by Providence and Worchester, which now runs a local daily. Later I may expand either north to Hartford or south down the Valley Line to Essex. It's a good small route to start off on, anyhow.

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Sounds like a winner to me. Keep us updated on your progress and enjoy Take care,
Rich S.

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-24-04 AT 08:40 AM (EST)

I’ve used Photomaps previously, but lately I’ve been messing around with Tiger2markers Utility (in the library). The only problem I’ve had with it is…, Lloyd seems to be the only one that can get the base maps portion to work. I played with that side of it for some time, but never did get it to work, even after several email exchanges with Lloyd. I have made some manual base maps (textures), but that’s another story. However, I “really” like the ‘marker’ aspect of Tiger2. In one “swell foop” you can get everything. Rail, streets, streams, pipelines and a few other items that don’t come to mind at the moment. I’ve been holding it to rail and streets for the moment. You can later append other markers into the marker file. It's also is a bit tricky to handle, but once you get past that, I think it’s great.Unfortunately, my experience has been that both utilities seem to be off the mark relative to the geography. Or maybe better said, the geography is off, as both utilities seem to place markers in the same place. I’m being particularly anal about my current route, so maybe it’s just me!! Have a sparkling day.Bob

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I've been using OziExplorer both with a GPS and Maps. You have to reformat the waypoint/marker file but good results

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For my bernina_pass I used Top50 that is a swiss map application software georeferenced, scale 1:50.000 with 200% zoom. Here you can draw polylines on the map following the railway, than save all in overlay format, that is a ASCII-text format.
All you have to do then is to build a convert program that converts lat/long from swiss national format to degree and so on..., and creates a text file in marker file format. The last thing to do is convert it in unicode format.
This allows perfect positioning of markers, I think no more then 5 meters of error...
In this way I've created about 2000 markers in one afternoon...
If you can do something like this, this would give you the perfect path, you'll have just to lay down tracks...
Look at the pic, this is my route near Cadera, it is not a Skyiing Slalom but the path you have to follow...
regards, max

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-28-04 AT 04:31 PM (EST)

Ok, I have had some success with Convert3. My question is what is the difference between a primary and secondary marker? Also, could someone please just run down what the different marker styles are?Addendum: What is (or is there) a good source of highly detailed mif data (specifically Central Connecticut)? My route is small, so I can afford to go a little on the detail side with my marker file.

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LAST EDITED ON Mar-28-04 AT 08:39 PM (EST)

There are three different marker types, 0, 1, 2. A zero draws a black square with a blue diamond, a 1 draws a black square with a red diamond and a white arrow, a 2 is a simple blue flag with a white "X". I prefer the two marker. Also I always set both primary and secondary to a number 2, but you can use different styles if you like. I'm attaching photos of a number zero marker, a number one marker and a number two marker.Take care,
Rich S.Edit update for spelling.

Attachments

http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/40677db02084b2ad.jpg

http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/40677dc420a1dcb6.jpg

http://www.train-sim.com/dcforum/User_files/40677dd320be46d3.jpg

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I prefer to digitize markers by hand, from aerial imagery, using UsaPhotomaps. I agree with Cal that the images sometimes don't connect correctly, but I find that careful interpolation of those areas is more accurate than track can be laid with MSTS anyway. I strive for +-1 meter elevation, and +- 2 meters location.J. H. Sullivan

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I have determined that USAphotmaps is just too far off the mark.It's quick and easy, but I pay the proce with markers being way off the DEM references. Topozone maps or My Delorme Topo software are giving me pretty accurate positions.Pete Willard

http://www.trainsimstuff.com

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You can use DEMEX to adjust the DEMs to match the terrain up with the markers generated in USAPM. Or you can use that waypoint.zip file that converts USAPM waypoint files to mkr files and adjust the lat/long values to matchup as close as possible.Austin

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I use UsaPhotomaps, and digitize a bunch of points. The RMD-2 probably has in the range of 5000 or more points, I never counted, likewise the RMD-4. I agree with Cal that there is some error, but I have found that it is usually constant, and since I also use DEMEX, I just shift the scenery one way or the other until it looks good.In doing the Milwaukee Road, the old R/W now appears in DEM files as a vague shelf along the edges of slopes etc, and when I see this, I get the coordinates of 3 or 4 such places, and then adjust my scenery shift to achieve a best fit.J. H. Sullivan

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