CGTalk - Generating Terrain?

mjkennedy

06-26-2008, 02:13 PM

Hi,

I'm trying to find the most efficent and cost effective way to generate terrain databases for use in a realtime 3D engine.

There always the options to buy... if so, would anyone have any recommendations for where to buy, or what to buy?

Then there's the option to make the database myself. Again, and suggestions?

Please keep in mind that this will not be arbitrary land, but will have to be based on real-world locations. So if I buy, whoever is the provider needs to be able to generate databases of locations that I give them. If I build, I need to be able to build accurately, to match the real world location.

Any help would be greatly appreciate!

Thanks,

Matt

MauritsKappers

06-26-2008, 10:00 PM

Hey,

I'm not experienced with creating terrain, but I know that atlasses contain topological height maps. You could scan in one of those (you can probably find them online too) and use these to create a displacement map in PhotoShop. Then apply it to a plane in your modeling program.

Then you can add the details yourself.

There might be (and are probably) more efficient methods of doing this, I don't know.

-Maurits

P.S. You might want to check out this link (http://www.satimagingcorp.com/svc/dem.html).

gregsandor

06-29-2008, 04:28 PM

What terrain are you modeling? What format does your 3d engine use?

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06-29-2008, 04:28 PM

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