Noob question about surface map

[gordo]

I'm struggling with Terragen2 - the YouTube tutorials and the documentation are, to say the least, inadequate.

I would like to create a landscape based on this graphic: http://tinyurl.com/25zet5d

How do I do that?

[schmeerlap]

I've downloaded your jpeg and inserted it into an Image Map Shader in the terrain section. As you can see I applied it with a Y projection which places it flat on the ground as you would do with a map. I gave it a coverage area of 5000 sq metres, and a displacement of 100 metres. You'll also notice that I flipped and repeated your image to give it global coverage (if you don't repeat x and y your image will just be applied on one small area of the planet at the coordinates given and over the area you give it  (in this case 5000 sq metres)). You'll also notice that I have also coloured the terrain by giving the base colours (Shaders section) an earthy colour, and adding a surface layer with the default white colour applied for some snow coverage. You'll notice that I used the altitude and slope constraints to limit the coverage of the snow.
I've attached the tgd file so you can further explore and experiment. You'll have to reload your image into the Image Map Shader, as you'll get an error message when you first open the tgd. That's because the tgd is looking for the jpeg on my computer hard drive path.

Hope this helps a little.

John

[Henry Blewer]

It's almost a plowed field with snow caught in the furrows. Pretty cool.

[gordo]

Thanks, I can see that it can be done but I'm not understanding your instructions. Maybe screen shots of the relevant dialog boxes would help.

1- "downloaded your jpeg and inserted it into an Image Map Shader in the terrain section" Do you mean "Click on the "Terrain Tab" "Add Terrain"-->"Displacement Shader" -->"Image Map Shader" then select the "AM.tiff" image? If that's correct then what I see is the screen in "Step 1.jpg" attached.

2. "As you can see I applied it with a Y projection which places it flat on the ground" No I can't see. How did you apply a Y projection?

3. Where and what are you giving "it" a different coverage area and displacement?

4. How do I load or open the tgd file? (I did a search in the tgd guide PDF and tgd is not mentioned)

Thanks for your help.

I've downloaded your jpeg and inserted it into an Image Map Shader in the terrain section. As you can see I applied it with a Y projection which places it flat on the ground as you would do with a map. I gave it a coverage area of 5000 sq metres, and a displacement of 100 metres. You'll also notice that I flipped and repeated your image to give it global coverage (if you don't repeat x and y your image will just be applied on one small area of the planet at the coordinates given and over the area you give it  (in this case 5000 sq metres)). You'll also notice that I have also coloured the terrain by giving the base colours (Shaders section) an earthy colour, and adding a surface layer with the default white colour applied for some snow coverage. You'll notice that I used the altitude and slope constraints to limit the coverage of the snow.
I've attached the tgd file so you can further explore and experiment. You'll have to reload your image into the Image Map Shader, as you'll get an error message when you first open the tgd. That's because the tgd is looking for the jpeg on my computer hard drive path.

[schmeerlap]

Follow these instructions:
First place your "AM" image in the Terragen directory.
Then Launch Terragen.
you should see the default flat terrain in the 3d preview window on the right.
Now click the "Add Terrain" button, and select > Displacement Shader > Image Map Shader.
an Open File dialog box pops up,
find and select your "AM" image and click the Open button.
The image should now be loaded into the Image Map Shader.
Where it says Projection Type click the down arrow on the drop down selection box and select "Plan Y (edges=xz)".
Now where it says Size, enter 5000 in each of the two boxes.
Click on the Flip Repeat tab and check all Flip and Repeat boxes.
Click on the Displacement tab and check the Apply Displacement box, then enter 100 where it says Displacement Amplitude.
You should now see the globally displaced terrain in the 3d preview window.

A tgd file is the file created when you save your Terragen scene.
To open a tgd file you click on File > Open and select the tgd file in the Terragen directory (I'm assuming that's where you keep your tgd files).

John

[gordo]

Hi thanks again John. I can follow your instructions up to this point:
"Where it says Projection Type click the down arrow on the drop down selection box and select "Plan Y (edges=xz)".
Now where it says Size, enter 5000 in each of the two boxes."

When I select "Plan Y (edges=xz)" the "Image Map Shader" goes black and there is no place that I can see to enter Size. See attached screen pic.

Update: I managed to load your tgd file and the original image (I hope I can remember what I did).

Let me play with this for a bit and I'll get back with any questions.

thx, gordon p

[Tangled-Universe]

It's right in front of you in your screenshot Perhaps time to take a little break as I often tend to overlook things as well after hours of fiddling

A couple of lines below the projection type you've chosen you can enter the position and size of the image.
That's what John meant to use.

Good luck!

Cheers,
Martin

[schmeerlap]

the "Image Map Shader" goes black and there is no place that I can see to enter Size.

The bit that went black is the small 2d preview window (which I've ringed with yellow). Don't worry, that won't stay black, as you'll see.
You see the word "size" (that I've ringed in red), and the bit that I've tinted blue. That's where you enter the size (which in this case we are making 5000 by 5000).
You may notice that when you've got the large 5000 by 5000 size parameters in, that you see the top right of the 2d preview window show part of your image.
When you then do the next step (the Flip and Repeat), you'll notice that the whole of the small 2d preview window is filled with your image.
Don't worry, I think we may get there in the end.

John

[bobbystahr]

I never use the Flips unless I want to change the orientation of the image map, both repeats generally do the trick for me .  ..   ...