Yuval 29 Posted June 16, 2014 I am trying to figure out how to make a map. Obviously I need to start off with basic things like heightmap / satmap / layers mask. I think the best idea for me is to take a real life heightmap and edit it. I need a website that can give me what I need, I know a few but I don't know how to download the files I need. Could someone please give me a proper website that I could take heighmaps from and edit it in L3DT? On top of that, I also need explaination on how to obtain the heighmap file from the website. Thanks in advance Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bushlurker 46 Posted June 16, 2014 If you're just starting out fooling around with L3DT and Terrain Builder and just need some heightmaps to play with, or maybe try making sat texture and mask with in L3DT then you could try THESE. They come in .png image format, which L3DT understands and loads fine. One point to note is that the .png format (designed in this case for the old Visitor 3 tool), doesn't include actual numerical heights information, so when you import it into L3DT, the first thing it'll ask is "what are the Maximum and Minimum heights of this heightfield"? Theres a .pbl file packaged alongside each heightmap - just open that up in Notrepad and you'll see the appropriate values for max and min height right there. Copy these two values into the L3DT Import Dialog when it asks for them and they 'll then load nicely... These terrains are all 5x5km, which is a good size for initial testing and experimenting since things will work smoothly and process quickly... at the same time they're 5 meter ground resolution, - about on par with Stratis ground detail-wise, so they should look quite nice once you start to add satellite texture and ground surfaces... B Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Yuval 29 Posted June 16, 2014 If you're just starting out fooling around with L3DT and Terrain Builder and just need some heightmaps to play with, or maybe try making sat texture and mask with in L3DT then you could try THESE.They come in .png image format, which L3DT understands and loads fine. One point to note is that the .png format (designed in this case for the old Visitor 3 tool), doesn't include actual numerical heights information, so when you import it into L3DT, the first thing it'll ask is "what are the Maximum and Minimum heights of this heightfield"? Theres a .pbl file packaged alongside each heightmap - just open that up in Notrepad and you'll see the appropriate values for max and min height right there. Copy these two values into the L3DT Import Dialog when it asks for them and they 'll then load nicely... These terrains are all 5x5km, which is a good size for initial testing and experimenting since things will work smoothly and process quickly... at the same time they're 5 meter ground resolution, - about on par with Stratis ground detail-wise, so they should look quite nice once you start to add satellite texture and ground surfaces... B Thanks man, you helped me alot. Now there's something else I need help with and as I can see you're some kind of an expert in this. I'd love to edit terrains and make a big map eventually, but L3DT seems abit - noobie. I mean, if I want to raise an area abit I will have to raise a bit and smooth and raise and smooth which is pretty hard. Is there a better program / way to edit maps. For example, I see that you are a Terrain Designer. When you want to start a fresh map, how would you do it? Would you go to L3DT or use a program of your own? Thanks in advance! -Y Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
