How do I import a greyscale photo to create an elevation mesh and then how do I import the "color skin" to overlay on the finished mesh model? Then How do I export the mesh model into Cinema 4D or Maya?
First and foremost I have a flatmap in greyscale of the Moon that I downloaded from the USGS. Then I a a full color map I also downloaded. I want to wrap it around the planet in terragen 2 and start making zooms and traveling over the terrain as was done in the Mars anim. Are there Moon maps that are to be used for those types of animations that I need to access for the type of anim done on that Mars video?
Please someone contact. Either with how to do it - or if yoou are wanting to get hired to do this for my film...there is pay.
Jose Escamilla - TBLN Films - Jose@TBLN.com
If your greyscale map is in a 1:2 format similar to these (http://planetpixelemporium.com/earth.html) then simply select spherical projection and ensure that the image coordinates match the planets coordinates. Then plug this image map into a displacement shader and type in a value that represents your heighest point on the map (the "whitest" part") in meters. If your colour map is the same dimensions as your height map then simply use the same coordinate info for another spherically projected image map placed between the compute terrain node and the planet node.
Below is a screen grab of the basic setup. Of course a much more complex setup is possible adding procedurally generated "extra" info that might be useful for close up flyby's etc
Hope this helps and if you want me to take this on professionally pm me.
Richard
Cheers Richard, Thank you for your response. I will probably ask you to work on the film with me, however I am also into making my own sfx for my films. I use After Effects, Cinema 4D, and I want to get into Teragen 2, but the documentation that is provided is very vague. I doesn't tell me how to upload my grayscale image, the color image or anything that would remotely give me clear directions on this portion of the information I need.
I downloaded the trial version to get my feet wet, but unfortunately, there is nothing in this version that allows me to work with the program. I checked for video tutorials on You Tube and they're just as bad. Most of them have no sound, just clicking and very poor quality footage, so it very difficult in seeing what is going on. There is one clip in German...which I can understand at all...then there's another by a novice Terragen User that keeps jumping from one thing to another and really never showing anything. I had the displeasure of having to sit here and view the complete tutorial without ever learning what it is I need to know how to do. That is import my grayscale photo and color photo and start working with the cameras, the terrains I wish to fly the camera over, etc. At this very moment I don't have the budget for my film, I won't have that until February, BUT if I could make a couple of really cool animations with what I have, it would hurry the process of the funding, because the visuals would speak for themselves.
So anyway Richard thanks for responding. If you would be so kind and send me where I can go and read how to do this, it would be appreciated and as I mentioned, I will more than like have you work the efx shots for me once I get the budget. Do me a favor and send me your budget requirements to: Jose@TBLN.com.
Sincerely - Jose Escamilla
I believe the Mars animation was done using MOLA data and similiar data called LOLA is available of the moon. Im not sure how to get it working in terragen since there is a separate shader that manages the MOLA data.. I know heightfield node can load the individual tiles but to manage a whole dataset..hmm not sure how..
I suppose it all depends on what level of detail you need and if image maps are enough for you.. LOLA site would be: http://lunar.gsfc.nasa.gov/lola/
Found some discussions about the LOLA datasets here. Haven't had time to go through them yet..: https://isis.astrogeology.usgs.gov/IsisSupport/index.php/board,46.0.html
I'm a little unclear what you mean by :
Quotedoesn't tell me how to upload my grayscale image, the color image or anything
In the image above you will see two nodes named moon image and moon displacement, these are both Image map shaders. They can be added to the node network either by right clicking on the node network window and selecting "Create Shader" followed by either "Colour Shader" or "Displacement Shader" followed by "Image map Shader". You will then be prompted to navigate to your greyscale image or colour image on your hard drive. The same nodes can also be added by clicking on the Terrain or Shaders tabs at the top of the window. You can then set the images parameters as laid out above, spherical etc.
It is also worth noting that you will be unable to animate with the free version.
Richard
Gridded LOLA data sets can be found @ http://imbrium.mit.edu/BROWSE/LOLA_GDR/CYLINDRICAL.html or http://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/lro/lro-l-lola-3-rdr-v1/lrolol_1xxx/data/lola_gdr/
How to get it working, I'm still not sure. Also I noticed that the files seem to be 16 bit and individual tiles are sized 2 gb which might be a bit too much for 32bit software...? It might probably require it's own shader similar to MOLA unless you load every individual tile separately?
Perhaps someone from Planetside or someone who has experience can tell if it's possible to use LOLA data..
I don't think LOLA is natively supported at this time (Mars MOLA data is supported).
If your heightmap and color map are in the same projection (as they should be) and in a format TG2 can read, then Richard's directions should get you started pretty quickly. You will probably want to put the heightfield and color map into separate areas, Terrain and Shaders respectively.
For the heightfield you would add an Image Map Shader in the Terrain layout, using the Add Layer button at the top of the Node List. Then specify your image map and set the positional coordinates to the same as your planet's coordinates. You can get your planet's coordinates by opening the settings of the Planet object node. You can use the copy/paste buttons for coordinates that are to the right of each coordinate set (the icon is a small clipboard). Then go to the Displacement tab in the Image Map Shader, check Apply Displacement, and set the Amplitude to the *maximum* altitude that should be present in your terrain.
That should give you your base terrain displacement. Now do the same thing for your color map, but add the Image Map Shader in the Shaders tab, and don't use Displacement. That should give you something you can work with.
- Oshyan
Quote from: CEOTBLNFilms on December 29, 2010, 10:51:27 AM
I downloaded the trial version to get my feet wet, but unfortunately, there is nothing in this version that allows me to work with the program. I checked for video tutorials on You Tube and they're just as bad. Most of them have no sound, just clicking and very poor quality footage, so it very difficult in seeing what is going on. There is one clip in German...which I can understand at all...then there's another by a novice Terragen User that keeps jumping from one thing to another and really never showing anything. I had the displeasure of having to sit here and view the complete tutorial without ever learning what it is I need to know how to do.
You've touched on one of the sorest problems with TG2: the lack of documentation. There is, as has been pointed out, reams of information, tips and tutorials in these forums, but there is little consistency, almost no editing and one usually has to spend an inordinate amount of time ferreting out what's needed...usually from pages of rambling discussion, some of it contradictory and much of it incomplete. Several people have generously created excellent tutorials (bless them!). These are usually very good but many could benefit from an editorial presence that would guarantee consistency and accuracy in both content and style (not everyone is as good a writer as they are expert in TG2). This would go a long way toward making TG2 more useful and practical.
Sorry to interrupt the flow of this thread, since this sounds like a cool project. But, I want to address Blackcat, since I've heard his argument a few times.
@Blackcat - Hope you'll understand this as it's meant - write a book. Take these reams of information and put it all together and you'll have an okay market. Probably won't be a NY Times best seller, but it'll be popular here.
Quote from: blackcat on January 03, 2011, 10:30:21 AM
Quote from: CEOTBLNFilms on December 29, 2010, 10:51:27 AM
I downloaded the trial version to get my feet wet, but unfortunately, there is nothing in this version that allows me to work with the program. I checked for video tutorials on You Tube and they're just as bad. Most of them have no sound, just clicking and very poor quality footage, so it very difficult in seeing what is going on. There is one clip in German...which I can understand at all...then there's another by a novice Terragen User that keeps jumping from one thing to another and really never showing anything. I had the displeasure of having to sit here and view the complete tutorial without ever learning what it is I need to know how to do.
You've touched on one of the sorest problems with TG2: the lack of documentation. There is, as has been pointed out, reams of information, tips and tutorials in these forums, but there is little consistency, almost no editing and one usually has to spend an inordinate amount of time ferreting out what's needed...usually from pages of rambling discussion, some of it contradictory and much of it incomplete. Several people have generously created excellent tutorials (bless them!). These are usually very good but many could benefit from an editorial presence that would guarantee consistency and accuracy in both content and style (not everyone is as good a writer as they are expert in TG2). This would go a long way toward making TG2 more useful and practical.
Quote from: calico on January 04, 2011, 11:24:42 AM
@Blackcat - Hope you'll understand this as it's meant - write a book. Take these reams of information and put it all together and you'll have an okay market. Probably won't be a NY Times best seller, but it'll be popular here.
Don't think it hasn't crossed my mind! In fact, I came perilously close to doing that very thing several years ago with TG 0.9 (and even had an agent shopping the idea around, with Matt's blessing), but put it on the back burner after TG2 appeared.
I think it would take someone considerably more knowledgeable then me to do something like this solo (if for no other reason than that---as I mentioned---too much of the information in the forums is incomplete or contradictory). I could create such a book, but I certainly think it would require the active participation of at least one of the developers. If for no other reason than that there is just far too much I still don't understand---and I think to be really useful, the book would have to start off with the absolute fundamentals---such as how TG2 and its various functions operate---which I believe could best be described by the people creating it. The book would, I think, have to start off with the absolute basics and work its way up (an incremental plan that would make for the most practical and direct learning curve for people new to the program). This is something, too, that many of the discussions here lack: for the most part they assume that their participants are already well-informed about TG2. Every process in the book will have to be approached with a running start. The assumption should always be that the reader is new to the software.
And I don't think there's any question at all but that it would be necessary to get direct input from a good many of the experts in these forums. (Which would mean being barraged with questions!)
I think the market for a good TG2 manual would be more than just okay. So much so that if I thought I could get the necessary cooperation I would ask the agent to revisit the proposal.
I can guarantee that when I get the hang of it and start doing things with it, I would be more than happy to contribute all I learn. This is a fantastic program that needs to make it possible for taking the steep learning curve and turning into a "Tarragen For learners" "not Dummies" so-to-speak.
I am happy to announce I have someone who is doing some test shots for my film and will let you all know what the outcome is. This film is going to be AWESOME once we apply T2 to it...Thanks for all who have contributed thus far to this thread. JE
I want to add; My hat's off to you T-2 Monsters that have done some of the most incredible earth fly-throughs, whoever did that Mars animation...and those that continue using this program like it was a piece of cake...HOW in the world you figured all this out without a manual...is a total mystery to me and I really appreciate your talents. Cheers to ALL! JE
Bill, you can certainly count on cooperation from Planetside if you were to write a book! We would love to be a part of such a project.
Jose I'm very glad to hear you've found someone to work with you on the project. :)
- Oshyan
I think if you were to write such a book and wanted to get to know all there is to know about a certain subject/node/whatever, it would be good to enter a topic (perhaps in a new book-dedicated division) with a specific question and study all the answers various (knowledgeable) users could give.
Quote from: Dune on January 11, 2011, 03:52:51 AM
I think if you were to write such a book and wanted to get to know all there is to know about a certain subject/node/whatever, it would be good to enter a topic (perhaps in a new book-dedicated division) with a specific question and study all the answers various (knowledgeable) users could give.
Probably the best way to do a TG2 book, and to produce one that would be most useful to the most users, would be to take an incremental approach. Explain how TG2 works and the function of each individual control, with examples of its effect, and then proceed to large-scale issues---creating and placing objects, clouds, water, shaders, etc.---in fairly broad terms. Within each of these broad subjects could be sub-sections dealing with more detailed and complex problems. But always with the understanding that these techniques can be used in a number of different ways (that is, I would balk at telling someone how to recreate a specific image unless the techniques involved had broader applications).
There is no book that could practically answer all questions (and one that provided multiple solutions to problems would be only more confusing and unwieldy). I think what would be most practical and useful would be a book that provided the TG2 user with as many tools as possible and a clear understanding of what they do and how to use them. I've seen hundreds of wonderful images in this forum, most of which are the result of imaginative combinations of a limited number of basic functions (one of the things I enjoy most is experimenting with TG2 tools in nonintuitive ways ["gee, what'll happen if I enter a negative value here?"]). An appreciation of these tools, how they work and what they do would enable other users to be equally creative.
Way, way, way back when I had discussed the possibility of a TG 0.9 book with Matt...and even had an agent showing the proposal around---and was garnering some interest. TG2 came along and the whole thing got put on a back burner. TG2 has been around long enough now that I think the absence of a book is becoming a real impediment to the program's wide use.
I sometimes think about writing a book about TG2 as well.
Though, the vast amount of time it would require and the "not being 100% sure" about a lot of things keep me from it, honestly.
It would require a lot of feedback and cooperation from Planetside as well.
I wonder how thick a TG2 book would be, just curiosity.
Quote from: Tangled-Universe on January 11, 2011, 08:42:09 AM
I sometimes think about writing a book about TG2 as well.
Though, the vast amount of time it would require and the "not being 100% sure" about a lot of things keep me from it, honestly.
It would require a lot of feedback and cooperation from Planetside as well.
I wonder how thick a TG2 book would be, just curiosity.
I wouldn't do it without a commitment from a publisher first...which is one of the reasons I was going through my agent when I was thinking about doing a TG 0.9 book. I would do the same thing for a TG2 book: prepare a proposal and have it shopped around.
And you are perfectly correct: it would have to be a collaborative effort.
I'm having enough problems writing a simple tutorial. I read through it, and start over. I keep leaving out things or skipping stuff; because I do things by intuition. It's hard to self analyze a work flow. There is also lots of things I use without having a clear understanding of why and how it works.
A really good book will have a reference section, but will be mostly about how to do stuff in some sort of concrete easy to love order without understanding all of the intricate "Matt, Jo and Oshyan" parts that are fantastic to know once you get into this, but aren't necessary to make something pretty. That was my mistake when I started - I looked at everything so analytically that I never created anything.
Exactly. There'd be no need to explain how every single TG2 picture and effect were created. Once someone gets a clear handle on how the various tools work and what they do, they can then easily combine them to create their own unique images.
Quote from: blackcat on January 12, 2011, 12:33:26 PM
Exactly. There'd be no need to explain how every single TG2 picture and effect were created. Once someone gets a clear handle on how the various tools work and what they do, they can then easily combine them to create their own unique images.
Well, you're right there of course.
However, if I look at the responses to my images I see that it is very rare that someone asks me directly "how did you do this or that?".
I'm not keen on sharing entire projects straight away, but I'm quite opposite about sharing my ideas and tricks.
Yeah, TU, but your project knowledge could be very helpful and actually could be included in a book like this -
1. Someone like Blackcat could give about 10 or so chapters on the basics by going through a mini-project, explaining the basics overall. Maybe by going through each tab.
2. Once the first half of the book was created (in #1 above), then there could be maybe three (or more) quality projects from people like you (TU, Frank B., Franck, Volker, OB, etc.) who explain everything step-by-step on a more advanced (and especially clear) level.
3. The reference section in the back could be created by Planetside, based upon what they think would be the topping on the cake (or better, the structural girders).
An additional CD with multiple projects and many clip files from DandelO and people like him could be part of this exceptional book.
I'd buy this.
Quote from: Tangled-Universe on January 12, 2011, 02:53:09 PM
Quote from: blackcat on January 12, 2011, 12:33:26 PM
Exactly. There'd be no need to explain how every single TG2 picture and effect were created. Once someone gets a clear handle on how the various tools work and what they do, they can then easily combine them to create their own unique images.
Well, you're right there of course.
However, if I look at the responses to my images I see that it is very rare that someone asks me directly "how did you do this or that?".
I'm not keen on sharing entire projects straight away, but I'm quite opposite about sharing my ideas and tricks.
What you describe is pretty much exactly right on the mark, so far as describing how a TG2 book should work.
There would be little need for anyone to worry about their writing skills: the book would necessarily have to have an overseeing editor (or editors) who would make sure that all of the text and references were consistent and that everything was clearly explained. In fact, it would be to the book's benefit to have one of these editors have some basic skills but be relatively inexperienced in using TG2...that would go a long way toward making sure nothing is taken for granted. (The YA science books that I write and illustrate are edited by people who have no special knowledge in the subjects I'm writing about. They read the manuscripts just as the intended teenaged reader would and readily catch every place where I have not explained something fully or assumed knowledge on the part of the reader they may not have.)
No one needs to tell precisely how they achieved a particular image (though why not, frankly, escapes me), but the basic steps and concepts can certainly be shared. For instance, I have not even the remotest desire to recreate nvseal's planetary clouds...but I would like to know the specific TG2 steps he took to create them so I can apply them to my own ends.
Perhaps a large part of my approach to this comes from my background in art. None of the artists and illustrators I know are remotely shy about sharing their techniques, knowing full well that what another artist does with them will be as unique as their own results.
R
Quote from: calico on January 13, 2011, 08:58:28 AM
Yeah, TU, but your project knowledge could be very helpful and actually could be included in a book like this -
1. Someone like Blackcat could give about 10 or so chapters on the basics by going through a mini-project, explaining the basics overall. Maybe by going through each tab.
2. Once the first half of the book was created (in #1 above), then there could be maybe three (or more) quality projects from people like you (TU, Frank B., Franck, Volker, OB, etc.) who explain everything step-by-step on a more advanced (and especially clear) level.
3. The reference section in the back could be created by Planetside, based upon what they think would be the topping on the cake (or better, the structural girders).
An additional CD with multiple projects and many clip files from DandelO and people like him could be part of this exceptional book.
I'd buy this.
QuoteNo one needs to tell precisely how they achieved a particular image (though why not, frankly, escapes me)... ...Perhaps a large part of my approach to this comes from my background in art. None of the artists and illustrators I know are remotely shy about sharing their techniques, knowing full well that what another artist does with them will be as unique as their own results.
I think the point there is that the artist/illustrator can't really
sell a specific technique, which sadly is kind of the way the sharing of presets and techniques and all of that end of things has went with Terragen these days.
As for adding clips and projects to a library/book on TG, by all means feel free to use anything I've shared. There's nothing at all in any of those that the next person couldn't do identically if they'd only thought of it first. Most of everything I've learned with TG has been through personal experimentation and collaborative efforts between us lot in here. That and lots of burrowing around in the rabbit-hole of these very off-topic threads(yes, just like this very one here). Shame.
As far as penning any books/chapters/etc. Not interested. Such things should, and would've, been best explained by the creators of the software, and those in that inner-circle.
Those who have time, patience and skill enough to provide the documentation for this entire application, bash-on by all means. I don't.
I simply enjoy messing around with the program for fun, no big deal to me if there's any more documentation or not. Maybe 3 or 4 years ago I'd think differently, when I had less than half a clue about anything TG2.
I understand the requirement for concise doc's for users of any software but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on it.
Meanwhile, I'd suggest stocking up on cigarettes and coffee and getting busy with the nodes! :D
Always the pessimist,
d
andelO.
Quote from: dandelO on January 13, 2011, 02:48:29 PM
QuoteNo one needs to tell precisely how they achieved a particular image (though why not, frankly, escapes me)... ...Perhaps a large part of my approach to this comes from my background in art. None of the artists and illustrators I know are remotely shy about sharing their techniques, knowing full well that what another artist does with them will be as unique as their own results.
I think the point there is that the artist/illustrator can't really sell a specific technique, which sadly is kind of the way the sharing of presets and techniques and all of that end of things has went with Terragen these days.
I know and it's really silly. It's like Norman Rockwell trying to make money off someone mixing paints using the same pallet or using the same brand of paintbrushes. For my own part, I'll be glad to explain in detail how I create anything I've done (the only hard part to explain would be the freehand work that goes into most of the digital images). No one is going to wind up with the same artwork by just using the same
methods. They could only do that if they used things I'd specifically created, such as heightfield maps or textures. In short, use my
techniques and
methods all you like...even use my maps and textures...just don't use them to create the
same images. I'll come after you if you do that!
QuoteAs for adding clips and projects to a library/book on TG, by all means feel free to use anything I've shared. There's nothing at all in any of those that the next person couldn't do identically if they'd only thought of it first. Most of everything I've learned with TG has been through personal experimentation and collaborative efforts between us lot in here. That and lots of burrowing around in the rabbit-hole of these very off-topic threads(yes, just like this very one here). Shame.
Again, I agree. I would never have gotten where I am as an illustrator had it not been for the generosity of friends and colleagues. I can only pay them back by doing the same for others.
QuoteAs far as penning any books/chapters/etc. Not interested. Such things should, and would've, been best explained by the creators of the software, and those in that inner-circle.
Well, yes and no. I think they would need the guiding hand of someone not so close to the software. It may be hard for them to see it through the eyes of a novice. It's a problem you'll often see in explanations posted in these forums: the posters assume a pre-knowledge on the part of the reader that may not exist.
QuoteThose who have time, patience and skill enough to provide the documentation for this entire application, bash-on by all means. I don't. I simply enjoy messing around with the program for fun, no big deal to me if there's any more documentation or not. Maybe 3 or 4 years ago I'd think differently, when I had less than half a clue about anything TG2. I understand the requirement for concise doc's for users of any software but I wouldn't hold my breath waiting on it.
My hope for such a book is strictly practical. I use TG2 professionally, which means I have deadlines to meet. I simply don't have the time to experiment endlessly in order to figure out how to do something (and, as it often turns out, something easy to do). I have a great many working illustrator friends who would love to use TG2 but are frightened off by the almost vertical learning curve.