ASTER GDEM Version 2

[Toldrabald]

Any chance of an idiots guide on the folder structure for the use of this DEM Data, i've downloaded the files I need but i'm lost on where i place them and how i name.
Thanks in advance
Simon

You may have to create the required folders:
ASTER: ...\Railworks\DEM\ASTGTM
SRTM: ...\Railworks\DEM\SRTM

And according to the folks above you when you download ASTER V2 data you need to remove the "2" from the file name: ASTGTM2_N51E006_dem.tif would become to ASTGTM_N51E006_dem.tif
In the route editor you then have to specify from where the data will be loaded, if you click on Aster or SRTM the two paths should be inserted automatically. Also start with small areas, like 3x3 or 5x5 for your route and load new terrain as you continue to develop the route. Choosing the 19x19 option will create a large area of terrain, but you will end up with lots of unused space in the route which mysteriously also influences the route files to grow abnormally huge size. With one 19x19 selection I had already a 20 MB route, solely for the terrain, no tracks, no buildings, nothing added to it. In the end this will make your route's folder unnecessary big.

[FoggyMorning]

. Choosing the 19x19 option will create a large area of terrain, but you will end up with lots of unused space in the route which mysteriously also influences the route files to grow abnormally huge size. With one 19x19 selection I had already a 20 MB route, solely for the terrain, no tracks, no buildings, nothing added to it. In the end this will make your route's folder unnecessary big.

I believe it is recommended to raise the terrain for at least this area in order to avoid jagged edges on the horizon where the DEM ends

[raptorengineer]

well the results for me was not as good. i think i stick to srtm it little better then aster gdem. these are alberta mountain shots.

[GenesisMan]

well the results for me was not as good. i think i stick to srtm it little better then aster gdem. these are alberta mountain shots.

Also to all:

Did you use only the _dem or the _dem and the _num ?

Is it possible that the _num is a correction to the _dem ?

Robert

[raptorengineer]

ok i try it and there no differince.

[alexedwin]

I placed both "dem & num" files in the ASTGTM folder just to be sure.
It looks like the program uses the "dem" file not the "num" and the ASTGTM_ is hard coded. (Don't ask how I know )

[SouthernElectric]

Thanks for the advice Gents, managed to get the files in the right spot but.....very disappointed with ASTER after changing a selected location over from SRTM to ASTER my landscape looked like the aftermath of an artillery strike with craters littering the landscape, when i tried it on the location where i've got the trench i had very sharp and pointed peaks so it's back to STRM DEM for me
Simon

[cwgaskell]

I just tried V2, and it is only slightly better than V1, for the area I am interested in. (North Cotswolds)
There are still bogus hills and valleys, and lots if dramatic spikes.

It may be that V2 is good for some areas of the world, but not in the Costwolds.

[Squatch]

I've just managed to download the tiles for Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and I'm afraid to say that they're worse than useless. Both areas look like I'm in the alps, and as many will know, you don't get much flatter than Lincolnshire. It just seems to have some really odd peaks and troughs next to each other. Shame really.