Adding embankments and hills.

[houndog1372]

Hello, when i make a route, i end up having a flat ground where theres no embankments or hills. When ever i try to make them they look unrealistic.
Is there any tools that i can use to create realistic hills and embankments.

[nobkins]

If you are not happy with the jagged ground then use a loft to create the embankment. Lofted objects should contain a few embankments that you can place parallel to the track using the offset tool.

[firstborn]

I don't know anything about route building... but i read a tip on this forum somewhere about using DEM data to create landscape like you want...

If building a fictional route, you select an area of DEM that relates to the type of area you want to model... such as low rolling hills, or steeper more mountainous areas

(obviously if your building a real route you should choose DEM data for the area you are actually recreating)

[houndog1372]

I don't know anything about route building... but i read a tip on this forum somewhere about using DEM data to create landscape like you want...

If building a fictional route, you select an area of DEM that relates to the type of area you want to model... such as low rolling hills, or steeper more mountainous areas

(obviously if your building a real route you should choose DEM data for the area you are actually recreating)

I would try DEM data but i have no idea on how to use it

[AndiS]

http://www.railsimdownloads.com/wiki/ti ... hp?faqId=3 first question, also here:
http://www.railsimdownloads.com/wiki/ti ... rain+Tiles

Note that T (for importing the tile) was remapped to Ctrl-T (I believe).

Alternatively, search for SRTM on this forum, there will be more than one explanation how to do it.

[bdy26]

DEM is very easy, but means you're a railway engineer making a railway in a real environment. Gradient diagrams become pretty important if you're recreating a prototype.

The relevant DEM files are in the library here - there's threads in the routebuilding forums that explain, but do note that the old "press T" function to import has been replaced by a function in the route editor.

Post if you get stuck

Cheers

Ben

[Oldpufferspotter]

When I start or extend my own fictional routes, I always start off with a flat green 'landscape'.
The first thing I do is to use the lifting tool, set between 600 and 900 grid sections. I lift several big 'squares' which appear neatly rounded and have a square base.
Next I use the same tool with a reduced number of grids, say between 300 and 500 grid sections. I go all over the big squares raising up smaller areas all over and between the large areas.
This usually looks very unsatisfactory, so I then use the smoothing tool, set at 200 or so grid sections, to run over the whole lot, quickly and slowly according to how it seems to be going.
At frequent intervals I do a proper route save, coming out of the editor, and then going back in again. That way you can see the true results of the terrain changes.
At intervals I also go down to track level to see how it all looks.
Near to the track itself, I use the lifting tool set at 1 grid to raise or lower individual grid corners to give a final smoothing.
It takes time, but not too long, to get the effect I like.
Generally I will extend a route by raising an area of terrain up or down to the 'general' level required, then lay the track, varying the gradient as required, use the 'raise terrain to track level' tool to bring up (or down) the terrain to just underneath the track, and then do the hills and valleys as I've described.
I prefer fictional routes, and this method works for me. Lofts for embankments and cuttings can be used very effectively, but the terrain still needs quite a bit of adjustment as well. Lofted embankments and cuttings can look a bit too neat and tidy though.
regards Ted.