Beginner needing help!

[tomclothier 1]

So, first of all thanks for taking the time to read this thread.

I have been thinking about creating my very own custom map for well over a year but I have never had enough concentration to fully throw myself at it. This being said I have been collecting/reading guides on the subject.

With Arma 3 full release around the corner I have decided I want to give it a proper go.

I have a few questions, which I hope you can answer for me.

Does the standard version of L3dt have all the tools you need to create terrain for arma3 ?

What is the best cheap/free way to acquire "SAT Maps" (I believe that's the right term). I have seen programmes that download from google maps, is that the right way to go?

I have just started playing about with L3dt, what are the options I should be using when creating a new project and what should I be looking to do with the terrain when I have finished with "creating" it?

I do also want to mention that I have been using the guides such as those found here, this is just some information that has escaped me.

St Michaels Mount in Cornwall is the place I was thinking of re-creating is that's of any use to you.

Thank you in advance!

[ZeroG 23]

So, first of all thanks for taking the time to read this thread.

I have been thinking about creating my very own custom map for well over a year but I have never had enough concentration to fully throw myself at it. This being said I have been collecting/reading guides on the subject.

With Arma 3 full release around the corner I have decided I want to give it a proper go.

I have a few questions, which I hope you can answer for me.

Does the standard version of L3dt have all the tools you need to create terrain for arma3 ?

What is the best cheap/free way to acquire "SAT Maps" (I believe that's the right term). I have seen programmes that download from google maps, is that the right way to go?

I have just started playing about with L3dt, what are the options I should be using when creating a new project and what should I be looking to do with the terrain when I have finished with "creating" it?

I do also want to mention that I have been using the guides such as those found here, this is just some information that has escaped me.

St Michaels Mount in Cornwall is the place I was thinking of re-creating is that's of any use to you.

Thank you in advance!

1. L3DT free is sufficient for basic and not too advanced terrains.

2. There are so-called WMS servers on the web that feature satellite images for free (World Imagery, Landsat, US NAIP, etc.) However, they are not "too" detailed on any spot of the world. In 2010, I used the GMaps method, I skipped it. Access to those WMS servers can be achieved through GIS programmes like Global Mapper (pay) or Quantum GIS (free). However, if you plan to use real life sat images, you should think of using real life heightmaps, too.

3. With L3DT free, I recommend you create only heightmaps. Select these options to learn the process of Arma map making: Blank heightmap, 1024x1024, 5m. Thats absolutely enough for starters. If you are done, export the file as xyz and then follow this tutorial and use your heightmap for it.

4. If you decide to recreate that spot however, I propose you also follow my RL map making tutorial after first success with Mondkalbs tutorial. Then you will use L3DT only for correcting/modifying the RL heightmaps, not creating it from scratch.

[tomclothier 1]

Thanks for answering my questions!

I will take a look at Mondkalb's guide now, don't think I've seen this one before.

Thanks again :)