Maya, Terragen, World Machine script

[digitalguru]

Here's a script for Maya to assist with a World Machine/Terragen/Maya workflow. I use World Machine to create a terrain, Maya to animate cameras and Terragen for the final output. Originally the script was written to adjust for the differing scales and orientation of terrains exported from Terragen and World machine, but has expanded with some custom camera rigs and other goodies to streamline the pipeline between the programs.

Hope it's useful for Maya users, please report any bugs and I'll get to them when I can.

[TheBadger]

Just found this. Thank you.

Any developments since this thread was first posted?

[digitalguru]

You're welcome 

I'm posting updates to this on Creative Crash - http://www.creativecrash.com/maya/downloads/scripts-plugins/utility-external/export/c/terraman - please download the latest version (v1.04) - has some significant fixes.

Let me know how you get on with it and find any bugs etc.

On a side note, I've noticed that Micro Obj files exported from Terragen have duplicated vertices that can make editing an exported terrain a bit tricky - had a search around and found a program called MeshLab http://meshlab.sourceforge.net/ fixs the duplicate vertices very easily which hugely reduces the size of the obj file as well as tools for optimising face count - very useful! I use it all the time now (and it's free!)

[TheBadger]

Hi digitalguru, I read your other post too, but I'll just respond here.

This sounds really great! And I look forward to playing with it. I hope to make time to REALY dig into this in the next several days. And of course Ill give you feedback if you like. THis sounds like a great FAST way to "sculpt" on the terrain.

It would be helpful if you provided a project to understand the intended workflow for use of this script. Something very simple ( not nice or pretty) Just something to go through the work flow by.
And from that I could try something creative and report back to you how the script was useful to me, or how it could be more useful. By a project I simply mean some written instructions for a hypothetical project with specific results.

One thing I cant help you with is the World Machine part. But I can use GeoControl

I have only recently gotten a Maya to T2 pipeline working for my self, so there is a lot I don't know. But I will have time to play with this and let you know how it wrks for me.

[digitalguru]

No worries, I'll do something in the next day or so.

I don't have Geo Control, but does it output an .obj mesh like World Machine? If it does, upload a mesh (8km x 8km if possible and resolution of 512, and with it's terragen .ter file) and I'll put an option in to load that format into the Maya script.

Edit: Never mind, there's a trial version of GeoControl available.

[TheBadger]

^^ ahh good, I would not have been able to post what you asked for until after the weekend. I should have said I *will* be able to use GeoControl not *I can*. 

Oh by the way, GeoControl is on sale guys.

Nur bis zum 24.5.2011 für 99,- Euro erhältlich, und dann zum normalen Preis!

You save 29 european monopoly dollars ( I think they are called "gyros" or something), or even more real dollar$ if you use actual money  Anyway, I think thats what the strange unknown alien language says in the quote.

[digitalguru]

it was better in the long run, it wasn 't as straight forward as I'd anticpated

I would never have worked it out from that file....

[TheBadger]

  Cool keep us updated!

[TheBadger]

Now, till up to 24.5.2011 99,- Euro available and then to normal price!

Hmmm this is from the current page. But it says 2011? I am guessing its a typo, and the soft is on sale now.

[digitalguru]

what's that then?

[TheBadger]

what's that then?

Oh sorry. I was talking about GeoControl.

[digitalguru]

checking out the demo version now...

[digitalguru]

what version of Maya do you have?

[TheBadger]

I have 2013 now

2014 will be out soon.

[digitalguru]

I've just updated the script to add Geo Control meshes as an import option, along with a tutorial and project files.

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/81475291/Geo_Control_tutorial.rar

Have a look and let me know how you get on.