TheRailwire
General Discussion => Layout Engineering Reports => Topic started by: dick green on November 26, 2014, 08:41:59 AM
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Hi all
I have seen pictures of people taking Google map screen shots and scaling them to ho or n and printing them for use as a track plan.
Ive googled and searched several forums and can not find anything about this process. Any body have a link I can follow to find out more about this.
I have tried to figure out Gimp and failed rather miserably as I'm not very computer savvy.
Thanks
Dick
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Hi Dick,
I've not heard of this for model railroading? I do know using Google Earth images is quite popular with the Train Simulator community. It is a is very handy tool for rail, road and building placements in the Simulator environment.
To capture a Google Earth image is pretty straight forward, copy the image in Google Earth then paste into your favorite editing program. I use Corel Paint Shop.
(http://i217.photobucket.com/albums/cc239/gizzmaxx/Help%20Photos/GoogleEarthscreenprints_zps558ad6d4.jpg)
Basically type a location in the Fly To box and click on the magnifier glass symbol to start the search. When Google Earth flies to your location, Adjust the viewing height, on my mouse I can use the center wheel to change the camera elevation, next select Edit from the drop down menu, then select copy image. Open your editing program and select paste.
The part you'll have to figure out by trail and error is what elevation you need for the scale you are working in, then send the image to your printer.
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AnyRail allows you to import images, scale them, and then draw the track over them.
Ed
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You can capture everything on your screen regardless of what program you're using with the 'Prt_Sc' button on your keyboard. At that point it's copied to your clipboard and can be pasted into any program that knows what to do with an image. If for some reason you want just the active window, then use "Ctrl-Prt_Scn"
Jason
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AnyRail allows you to import images, scale them, and then draw the track over them.
Ed
That is what I have done.
I have used old aerial photos….
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/djs_ank_ak/BBL/HoltonStreetv1.jpg) (http://s291.photobucket.com/user/djs_ank_ak/media/BBL/HoltonStreetv1.jpg.html)
…and images accessed via Google Earth.
(http://i291.photobucket.com/albums/ll290/djs_ank_ak/ERGodfrey/ERGodfreyPlan.jpg) (http://s291.photobucket.com/user/djs_ank_ak/media/ERGodfrey/ERGodfreyPlan.jpg.html)
Best wishes, Dave