Newb mapmaker

[rushmonk 10]

Hey there, i'm looking to make my first arma terrain for arma 3 and have a few questions.

My first being :

If i wish to create a map focused on real terrain, is my only option to use global mapper (a $400 program) ? ive searched google and the forums for alternatives, but all i can find is global mapper (and before u ask i already wasted my 2 free exports on trial version :/ (didn't realise it was limited to 2)

Also i've read posts about about some people saying to wait for new tools to be released or else all my work on arma 2 tools may be useless for arma 3, and some saying that you can create arma 3 maps with just the currently released arma 2 tools. Are both these statements true or just one of them?

And if there isn't an alternative to the paid version of the global mapper program, could someone be a legend and make me some xyz files of the area i need in their spare time please lol

[m1lkm8n 411]

You can try something like this to get your height map :

http://nationalmap.gov/index.html

There is plenty of alternatives although gm goes make things much easier.

Especially in a3 when doing the shape file system for road. Although again quantum gis is a free alternative there as well.

As far as new tools. Yes I would say if this is your first terrain to start in a2 since all the tools are there and proven. Even though the a2 tools do work to a certant extent they are far from complete as there's things missing.

For instance while you can create the terrain and get it in game it's missing what appears to be new terrain normals.

I would build up a good base with a2 map making first (start small and then go bigger) this way you get a complete understanding of how things work.

Also. And I can't stress this enough, do yourself a favor and read major tutorials if you havent already like sgt aces terrain tut and bushlurkers guide to micro terrains. They go over mostly all the aspects of terrain creation. I tell everyone and although its like 40 pages ,read it. And then re-read it till your comfortable with it :)

It's a lot of fun!

Good luck.

Edited May 14, 2013 by M1lkm8n

[rushmonk 10]

Thanks for the advice and everything else man :)