The PathBuilder utility generates an xml file that represents the railroad route. The xml file contains: route, terrain, billboards, model locations and other properties that represent the path and branches of the railroad. The file also includes the meta-data associated with the route properties (GIS data catalogs, 3d models, era information, etc). PathBuilder maintains a catalog of all GIS resources and scans used to build the path. PathBuilder will create local snap shots of GIS data covering only the route paths for local edit and creation of the route. The utility provides for notes and other documentation to be attached to points along the path. PathBuilder generates the terrain patches and adds initial default textures. The route file with extension “.path” is the core data for a route and can be merged with other routes or split from other routes. The route path file will be maintained and versioned using a group network svn repository. The route title is function of the routes placement in the repository directory tree. The route will also have a descriptive title, but this title will not be guarantied or required to be unique. Intellectual property rights will be maintained by attaching the same public/private key signature used as a network id (svn network data base) to the route path. This is a social method of maintaining intellectual property rights where users as a group will not allow the use of others property in their routes or network game play.

PathBuilder CASE
ACTORS:

• Author – The route creator and owner.
• Editor – A route editor.
• File-system – The local computer file-system.
• Internet – The network based files and servers.
• Working – The svn working repository.
• Repository – The local svn repository.
• Network-repository – The common group svn network repository.

USE-CASE:

• Create an empty route.
• Clone a route.
• Create an empty catalog.
• Edit a catalog.
• Add map or image to a catalog.
• Catalog a CD or DVD map or image.
• Catalog an internet map or image.
• Import a catalog.
• Export a catalog.
• Create an empty path.
• Edit a path.
• Import a path.
• Export a path.
• Plot a “world file”.
• Edit a “world file” plot.
• Create a “world file” for scanned images.
• Plot map or image.
• Edit a map or image plot.
• Plot a route.
• Edit a route plot.
• Generate a reduced extent map or image.
• Create a “world file” for a reduced extent map or image.
• Download a cataloged map or image from the internet.
• Download a “world file” from the internet.
• Add a property to a path.
• Plot a path property.
• Edit a property plot.
• Export a property to another route.
• Import a property from another route.
• Edit a property.
• Generate default properties.
• Generate terrain.
• Generate terrain textures.
• Edit terrain.
• Generate billboards.
• Generate billboard textures.
• Edit billboards.
• Generate 3D mash.
• Display a 3D path.
• Display a 2D path.
• Verify a catalog.
• Verify a path.
• Verify a route.

SUB-SYSTEMS

• Network – libcurl – FTP, DAV, P2P operations.
• GUI – wxWidgets – User and operating system interface.
• Version-control – imbedded Subversion (svn) – Maintains working, local and network repository.
• GIS – GDAL/OGR – read, write, convert and position the maps and GIS data.
• Mapping – Process and catalog maps and scans.
• Terrain – Generate and edit mesh and textures from GIS elevation data.
• Billboard – Generate and edit backdrops and textures from GIS elevation data.
• 3d – Display 3D terrain and billboards.
• 2d – Display 2D images and maps.
• Path – Generate and edit the knot points, control weight values and the rectangle for each knot point based on initial user assigned path width. Adjust the path for smoothness for mainline/yard requirements.
• Catalogs – Maintain catalogs of maps and scanned images.
• Property – Add and edit path properties.