Is it possible to load a 3D object as a terrain?

[moodflow]

I can't seem to figure out a way to do it. 

This would be really good for sculpting out actual 3d terrains in 3rd party software, then importing it into TG2 to have it meld into the scene.

[Oshyan]

That is not possible at this time. I think the recommended path in the future would be to export a displacement map rather than geometry as it is both more compact and easier to apply to an existing terrain in TG2, maintaining the capabilities unique to terrains in TG2. I believe it may be problematic attempting to extend terrain functions to arbitrary geometry.

- Oshyan

[BPauba]

That is not possible at this time. I think the recommended path in the future would be to export a displacement map rather than geometry as it is both more compact and easier to apply to an existing terrain in TG2, maintaining the capabilities unique to terrains in TG2. I believe it may be problematic attempting to extend terrain functions to arbitrary geometry.

- Oshyan

The only problem I see with this sort of path is we will not be able to have any sort of overhang capabilities correct? From my point of view the "overhang factor" is why someone would want to sculpt out terrains in a 3rd party program such as zbrush, mudbox, or even modo . Correct me if I am wrong but displacement maps do not have the data present for overhanging geometry.

On a side note I am betting a couple people will enjoy this video of modo301's terrain sculpting abilities:
http://video.luxology.com/modo/301/video/2_minute_mountain.mov

Pretty cool .

[Oshyan]

If you based your displacement map on an existing terrain that came from TG2 then you could have overhangs, etc because it would be displacing along the normal of existing geometry. If you tried to build it up from a flat plane you would miss the "2nd order" displacement, I think...

- Oshyan

[BPauba]

If you based your displacement map on an existing terrain that came from TG2 then you could have overhangs, etc because it would be displacing along the normal of existing geometry. If you tried to build it up from a flat plane you would miss the "2nd order" displacement, I think...

- Oshyan

Oh ok, I understand what you mean.

[moodflow]

The main reason this would be a great feature is, one could take a 3d model, then have TG2 'meld' it into the scene, as it does for other imported terrain terrain files.   So a really twisted up 3d model of a wierd rock formation could seamlessly fit in a scene.

I like how TG2 can "add fractal detail" to imported .ter files, especially when they become stretched and lose detail otherwise.