Post by Admin on Jun 11, 2018 20:18:05 GMT
Note: This thread was written back in 2015.
Let’s Create the Route in TS2015
Open TS2015 as normal and click the BUILD menu.
Here we have opened the Build screen which is used for Route creation, Scenario creation, and Publishing these to the Workshop (1).
In this screen we will find much more information in regards to our routes. Like the Route Name (2), Route Information Panel (3), and the Build screen Control Buttons (4). The Route Name is exactly as it says, the name of the selected route. The Route Information Panel gives one the name, geographic coordinates in four decimal place numeric output as Latitude and Longitude, and the Source File location in the Railworks folders tree, which is the Content folder in Railworks. All the routes available for use in TS2015 show in this folder. You might want to note this as it will help you to find your route location in the Content folder later on. The Control Buttons are used to handle the Route folder in many ways, like Delete Route, Rename Route, New Route, Clone Route, and Edit Route. I believe most of these buttons are self-explanatory, but note, to change any route that is in the list it has to first be unlocked or the function the buttons use will not work. Unlocking a route can be done through the Editor.
Additional Notes on Route Creation
Before we get to creating a route, I would like to talk about Geographic Coordinates and Digital Elevation Maps, and how to come up with the data to use in relationship with the editor.
When dealing with real life or real world terrain data to be use with our routes we need to know where our route is located and how the terrain in that location looks. To do this we need two sets of data, real world geographic coordinates for our location, and DEM data in the SRTM format. We also need to create a folder to hold the DEM data so TS2015's editor can use the data.
In case you were wondering, Geographic Coordinates are the east-west (Longitude), north-south (Latitude) data to show a point on the Earth's surface. A good way to find these coordinates is to use the Google Earth application, and using the search mechanism to find the named place you want the coordinates for. These coordinates need to be setup so we get the right data format to use in TS2015. To do this go to the Tools/Options menu and under the 3D View tab, in the Show Lat/Long section click the radio button named Decimal Degrees, then Apply, OK. Now wherever your mouse moves to, the readout at the lower right will show the coordinates in Decimal Degrees, which is what we want for use with the editor. When your search location is found, a red marker will show there, use the Add/Placemark menu to add a Placemarker and a dialog box will open that has the coordinates we can use for your location. Copy these to a convenient location by either writing them down on paper or using Notepad to record them. Just remember what you name the file and where you stored it. Now we have our coordinates for the location on the surface and for our route creation.
Next we need the dataset for the DEM height data used with the editor to create our terrain in our location. We can find this data at www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/Coverage%20map%20viewfinderpanoramas_org3.htm , you may need a viewer here, if so, you can locate it at the website. Just search for the general location for the area your route will be in and download the zip file for that info. You may end up having to download two or more different sets to make your whole route show in the editor in TS2015. When you open the zip files you will see height map data that has both the latitude and longitude numbering that should match our coordinates. Let's say your latitude begins with 40* and your longitude is -77* then the files for that area will be N40W077 or something close to that and all the file will have a format extension of .hgt . So, you may have to search through several data zips to find the right numbers for your coordinates. At this time you may want to determine the extent of where your route will run and write down the maximum north-south, east-west coordinates so you have the right data files in your folders. Speaking of folders, now is a good time to create two folders you will need. Under the root Railworks folder create this tree branch DEM/SRTM that's two folder one under the other, DEM first and SRTM under it, and spelt with uppercase letters. Now you can copy and paste just the height data file into the SRTM folder, and the TS2015 Editor will be able to use them. We will talk about using these files when we get to that part of building your route.
Let’s Create the Route in TS2015
Open TS2015 as normal and click the BUILD menu.
Here we have opened the Build screen which is used for Route creation, Scenario creation, and Publishing these to the Workshop (1).
In this screen we will find much more information in regards to our routes. Like the Route Name (2), Route Information Panel (3), and the Build screen Control Buttons (4). The Route Name is exactly as it says, the name of the selected route. The Route Information Panel gives one the name, geographic coordinates in four decimal place numeric output as Latitude and Longitude, and the Source File location in the Railworks folders tree, which is the Content folder in Railworks. All the routes available for use in TS2015 show in this folder. You might want to note this as it will help you to find your route location in the Content folder later on. The Control Buttons are used to handle the Route folder in many ways, like Delete Route, Rename Route, New Route, Clone Route, and Edit Route. I believe most of these buttons are self-explanatory, but note, to change any route that is in the list it has to first be unlocked or the function the buttons use will not work. Unlocking a route can be done through the Editor.
Additional Notes on Route Creation
Before we get to creating a route, I would like to talk about Geographic Coordinates and Digital Elevation Maps, and how to come up with the data to use in relationship with the editor.
When dealing with real life or real world terrain data to be use with our routes we need to know where our route is located and how the terrain in that location looks. To do this we need two sets of data, real world geographic coordinates for our location, and DEM data in the SRTM format. We also need to create a folder to hold the DEM data so TS2015's editor can use the data.
In case you were wondering, Geographic Coordinates are the east-west (Longitude), north-south (Latitude) data to show a point on the Earth's surface. A good way to find these coordinates is to use the Google Earth application, and using the search mechanism to find the named place you want the coordinates for. These coordinates need to be setup so we get the right data format to use in TS2015. To do this go to the Tools/Options menu and under the 3D View tab, in the Show Lat/Long section click the radio button named Decimal Degrees, then Apply, OK. Now wherever your mouse moves to, the readout at the lower right will show the coordinates in Decimal Degrees, which is what we want for use with the editor. When your search location is found, a red marker will show there, use the Add/Placemark menu to add a Placemarker and a dialog box will open that has the coordinates we can use for your location. Copy these to a convenient location by either writing them down on paper or using Notepad to record them. Just remember what you name the file and where you stored it. Now we have our coordinates for the location on the surface and for our route creation.
Next we need the dataset for the DEM height data used with the editor to create our terrain in our location. We can find this data at www.viewfinderpanoramas.org/Coverage%20map%20viewfinderpanoramas_org3.htm , you may need a viewer here, if so, you can locate it at the website. Just search for the general location for the area your route will be in and download the zip file for that info. You may end up having to download two or more different sets to make your whole route show in the editor in TS2015. When you open the zip files you will see height map data that has both the latitude and longitude numbering that should match our coordinates. Let's say your latitude begins with 40* and your longitude is -77* then the files for that area will be N40W077 or something close to that and all the file will have a format extension of .hgt . So, you may have to search through several data zips to find the right numbers for your coordinates. At this time you may want to determine the extent of where your route will run and write down the maximum north-south, east-west coordinates so you have the right data files in your folders. Speaking of folders, now is a good time to create two folders you will need. Under the root Railworks folder create this tree branch DEM/SRTM that's two folder one under the other, DEM first and SRTM under it, and spelt with uppercase letters. Now you can copy and paste just the height data file into the SRTM folder, and the TS2015 Editor will be able to use them. We will talk about using these files when we get to that part of building your route.