Non Google Map Overlays?

Hello all - Simple question really - For route creation are there any alternative to Google (Simply put considering it costs money and also I dont really like Google personaly for reasons I cant discuss on here) That can be used for map overlays or is it the only option?

 

No.

 

It doesn't cost money either.

 

Dosent it? Dosent it cost like 200 quid just to unlock it in its own - I know theres a free trial but like - 30 days probably isnt enough for a route?

 

Yes actually, you can use the old original (pre google overlay) system of texturing asset decals, you can use Bing OpenStreetMap, Google Earth or even the little playmat we all used to have as kids.



Edit:
Ignore above, the video describes a tool no longer available.

 

You have to set up billing information but your usage would never ever be enough to illicit a charge, it's more directed to people who embed the api function into their websites and have thousands of hits per day, you'd be lucky to amass thousands of hits per year and still wouldn't trigger a charge. Read this thread where it was discussed before to save me repeating myself too much.. https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/question-about-using-google-maps-in-train-simulator.45476/

 

Right.... If thats the case then Ill probably just avoid making routes then if you have to enter billing information or anything like that with no alternative ways of overlays. - Thanks anyway for the help though

 

Did you not see my post two posts up, the one with a video attached?

 

Whoops seems like I accidently didnt notice - Thanks.

 

Albeit for what is it - RailWork decals it appears to have been shut down? I cant find it anywhere and the video has no details unless Im missing something crucial? Ive checked other videos on the channel and no links there that work?

 

As Reef says, you would only pay if you used industrial amounts of data....you need to add billing information, that is just Google's safetynet - I use it all the time, never been charged a penny.

Andy

 

My bad, tbf I thought it was just explaining how to use decals not actually demonstrating a tool that I didn't even know existed (it was before my time) that'll learn me for not looking at the video first before linking it.. oops!

 

Edit:
Seems I was a little jumpeth of the gunneth.. I'm sure you could still create custom map tile decals just not the way shown in above video..

 

yeah thats my personal info I (personally) Dont really feel secure putting in billing information just about anywhere online especially google due to past experiences. Hence I was asking for alternatives - If there genuinly is no alternatives (albeit ive been looking around and might have found a thread with something called mapy.cz with free API however ive found no way to use it yet so Im still searching the thread: https://forums.dovetailgames.com/threads/better-source-for-maps-overlay.14730/ this is it btw) Thanks for everythin though.

 

Anyway thanks - If you do know another way give me a shout but dam this is annoying with litterally only one option and its one I litterally cant do.

 

I didn't realise the Google Maps API is effectively free - I'll go ahead and sign up.

 

How about this solution:
https://rail-sim.de/forum/filebase/entry/8743-maptiler/

Never used it myself, but maybe it works.

Translated from the site:
MapTiler for TrainSimulator 2014 - Classic

Continuation of the Google Maps Overlay Proxy

This makes it possible to bring tiles from Google Maps into the TS instead of using the paid Static Maps API.
Interesting for users who do not have a credit card.

To put it simply, it only bends the links from Google API to so-called X/Y/Z tiles, which are also used by QGIS and Co, for example.

Now also with OpenStreetMaps and MapBox support

 

Thanks a load - I will definetly see if this works! Again Thanks a load mate!

 

Try this one: https://github.com/JachyHm/MapyCZforTS2

 

How do you use this one out of curiosity - I actually mentioned this in the thead but I have no idea how to use it.

 

There is an instruction on that page, haven't tested it myself. This is the updated version.

 

Yeah I dont personally undertsnad it - Im in TSC now and when I click Ctrl+G it loads yes but just has a load of white boxes with Im presuming Czech Errors - Maybe Im not following correctly but I did all the steps and it dosent work - As the person who suggested it any thoughts?
Thats the error For the record

 

Translated: We don't have a quote for this map background available, try choosing a different zoom or a different map background.
Is that with Bing maps?

 

Looks like you have to set the correct zoom level according to the map you want to use.

 

Ight thanks- will test the workaround when home but currently as of now am out - thanks, will get back on if any more issues occur.

 

You get $300 or more of free credit every month. On the Google dashboard it gives you a monthly cost projection so you will no if you are going to go over the $300 long before you do. I've never been billed in 3 years.

 

I think most people in DTG use the same code for the editor (I think in TSW as well it's the same code for Google Maps) - but equally even with so many people using it - I don't think it's ever charged anything. (that was more to say I don't think using it for Train Sim is any where close to the chargeable amount )

 

Yeah Google are pretty fair to be honest. I've spent a 100 hours or more in a month on scenery and it's never cost me anything, even when using high definition tiles.
I would imagine at dtg you would spend 100s of hours on it.

 

The issue isnt cost or anythin - Its more the whole Debit Card issue (never owned one never plan to) - or in other words I use Credit not Debit.

 

You can use a credit or debit card. Credit card is even better because your are better protected against fraud or scams with a credit card.
Not that Google is likely to scam you in any way.

 

Not sure about that. I don't have a credit card and when I have entered my debit card details, Google rejects the card as invalid

 

Mine was done via debit card, just as well as I've never had a credit card in 36yrs of banking.

 

So what’s the final answer? Can I use an alternative and if so, what is it? I’m trying to route-build and the Google API keys don’t work anymore.

 

Do you mean that you can't sign up for the API? My key still works for me.

 

No, I got the API key but it doesn’t work. I think the keys had to have been obtained some time ago and now new api keys don’t work.

 

You're better off just contacting DTG support. My API key is relatively recent and works fine, and since I have seen no other reports of it not working it is most likely an issue on your end.

 

bruh

 

Dormant troll account? Reported and suggested a ban. Come back in a few years when you have learned how to use a forum and talk in non-TikTok language.

 

lucasfor49

Seriously, if you have ever bought anything online with a creditcard, you have already entered the “dangerzone” that you try to avoid. Your personal card info is just as safe with google as they are on Steam or RSSLO etc…

Let me expand on that. Every store (physical or online, including the business solution they have chosen for credit card payments) has the data you are unwilling to use at google.

 

That thread is long dead and was only revived by a troll comment. I will remove my posts and send it back down once DTG removed the bump.

 

https://rail-sim.de/forum/filebase/entry/8743-maptiler/ yes it works once you get the kinks figured out.

 

C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\steamapps\common\RailWorks\Manuals.

 

Prove it, show us the correspondence.

 

They couldn't really make the "for no charge" bit any bigger could they?

...and when you get to the small print....

"Google Maps Platform offers a $200 monthly credit for Maps, Routes, and Places (see Billing Account Credits). With the $200 monthly credit, some customers find their use cases are at no charge. You won't be charged until your usage exceeds $200 in a month."

 

^ My most recent invoice.

 

1. Go to https://code.google.com/apis/console and log in with a Google Account
2. Select APIs & Auth -> APIs link from the left hand menu
3. Select Static Maps API from the list
4. Ensure the service is listed as ON. If not, click the OFF button to toggle.
5. Select Credentials link from the left-hand menu
6. An API key will be listed as a long series of letters and digits.
7. Type this code into the Google Maps API Key field in Train Simulator.

For me it is free.

 

Not a definitive answer, but.....

 

so post that correspondence in here.

You don't pay to use it...the charges are for hits on googles servers from web pages you've published. You're still missing that even though it's a chargeable service, you don't get billed until you hit $200 worth.

 

Give it a rest folks. Move on there is nothing to see here. You will not have to pay for using Google Earth.

 

Ill give it a try i didnt know they had so many api maps the one i know i need is static api map.