Planetside Software Forums

General => Terragen Discussion => Topic started by: kimey on April 09, 2014, 06:25:35 PM

Title: Terrain question
Post by: kimey on April 09, 2014, 06:25:35 PM
Hi
I'm considering purchasing Terragen. I produce 3D maps for publication using real world data. I need to produce images like the one attached. ie. the terrain needs to resemble a mesh as in the image and not have a "foot print". Is this possible in Terragen? (The attached image is my first creation in World Machine rendered in VNS)
Thank you in advance.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Terrain question
Post by: mash on April 09, 2014, 09:31:27 PM
Hi, I worked with VNS back when it was just World Construction set. I built some of the models that come with the WCS.
Not sure what you mean by a "Foot Print".
I know the latest version of TG3 will allow you to import real world DEM files.
Pretty much every format and the related satellite overlay images.
There's a few tricks to work with it. I'll have to look up my notes and post them.
I think all versions of TG3 will import DEM files but I would double check that.
Title: Re: Terrain question
Post by: Dune on April 10, 2014, 02:28:13 AM
You can just use a square plane as terrain base, not the planet. If you don't render atmosphere (to get black surroundings), you could work with fill lights. Perhaps other possibilities are there to use atmosphere and still get a black background.
Title: Re: Terrain question
Post by: kimey on April 10, 2014, 04:35:12 AM
Hi
Thank you for the quick replies. I'm trying to evaluate as to whether Terragen is something I can use.
What I meant by "foot print" is I need to import the terrain as a free standing object. Not attached to the planet or ground surface. I've noticed this also softens and curves the edge of the terrain. I need it to be sharp as in the the image above.

Dune, to use a plane as a terrain base could be the answer. How do you do that in Terragen? Is it a terrain or a displacement map on a plane?
Thanks again
Title: Re: Terrain question
Post by: Dune on April 10, 2014, 06:57:00 AM
Exactly, like shown in the screendump. Plane of certain size instead of planet used. Just try it with the free version....
Title: Re: Terrain question
Post by: kimey on April 10, 2014, 03:35:21 PM
TG3...
After a shaky start, I got there in the end. Using the trial version. A thin black border around the raster image hides the unwanted "sides" to the terrain.
Thanks for help.

[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: Terrain question
Post by: bobbystahr on April 11, 2014, 12:27:29 PM
Quote from: kimey on April 10, 2014, 03:35:21 PM
TG3...
After a shaky start, I got there in the end. Using the trial version. A thin black border around the raster image hides the unwanted "sides" to the terrain.
Thanks for help.

[attachimg=1]

Looks like it's safe to say welcome to the world of Terragen....