That map editor isn't exactly a joy to use, but the topography map it uses is actually very good! I could hardly believe my eyes when I realized that it is often possible even to see the routes of Tibetan or Mongolian smaller mountain rivers. That really helps! My own way is to have MS Encarta open (on my second display) while editing the RRT map. It works but isn't always very easy because the maps Encarta uses have somewhat different "projection" system. So, things always look different even though the same details and places can be found in both. With imagination and patience... :)
One possible "surprise" can occur when one edits the map editor's "raw" TGA file in Photoshop or elsewhere. RRT3's Editor is very picky regarding TGA file format! You may need to save your edited raw map many times, using different TGA options and even different programs before the map can be imported to the Editor. I seem to remember that Corel Photo Paint produced "correct" TGA format immediately whereas Photoshop files caused me trouble.
The fun isn't over even then. It is, I learned the hard way, possible to create a "technically" correct RRT3 map (within the allowed size etc. limits) which just won't work when you try to load the map into the game. So, it's wise not to spend too many hours with editing the map file without every now and then testing it in the game. Because if something goes wrong, it's probably about impossible to fix the problem anymore. I think these issues have something to do with very big maps (close to RRT3's technical limits) and the shape (width/height ratio) of those giant maps.
So, it's safest not to be too greedy like I have been. A little bit smaller map is more likely to work. ;) But if you want to be greedy and stubborn like me, just be patient and test your masterpieces as early as possible in "real game". You'll see in seconds if your new map does something funny.
The Scenario Editor is a funny bird, too. It's mostly quite easy to use and reliable too, but one should be careful with creating rivers and lakes. It's all too easy to create spectacular but more or less funny/unusable things like rivers that run backwards (or even worse: to two directions at the same time! :), virtually invisible lakes (oh, they are still there, affecting your track building, etc - you just can't see them!), lakes with ocean-like tsunami waves, and generally places that look nice but are unusable because, for example, the "invisible water" can make it impossible to build track or buildings where you need them... For example, my first version of Hong Kong was a lonely place with just invisible water and no room for buildings. :)
And if you mess around with "Adjust height" when creating or editing lakes (or rivers), beware: chances are that you accidentally manage to create a Grand Canyon or something even worse... How? Well, imagine placing a lake that is 0 m from sea level on a Tibetan plateau 3000m from sea level. What you'll get is, of course, a 3000m deep hole! And there's no "undo" ! :D
I don't even start with the script part of the Editor. Without a proper manual (where?) or better brain than mine, it just makes absolutely no sense whatsoever. For me it's been "trial and error". And mostly error. ;)
And finally, those gigantic maps like my China and Scandinavia act in a funny way both in the Editor and in the game. When one zooms and navigates the map in certain ways, parts of the map simply disappear. There's just pretty pink or white visible then. Don't worry; that's normal and gets solved using zoom and navigation keys again. It's some sort of a display memory bug in the game engine. It just can't handle huge maps properly. It doesn't affect editing or playing - it's simply annoying.
But all this is (mostly) fun - so good luck!
AMD Phenom X6 1090T @3.9GHz, 16GB DDR3-1600 RAM, Asus Crosshair Formula IV mb, Radeon HD7870, Samsung 850EVO SSD, M-Audio AP192, Windows 10-64, Railroad Tycoon 3 1.06. & TM, Train Simulator 2016, MSTS + many add-ons, Trainz!
