Finally you can have precise control over terrains!
Using altTerrainBuilder, Vue users can instantly create terrain geometry for direct use within Vue, or copy to Photoshop to edit further. See the Using Terrains to Model section to see some of the interesting ways terrains can be used to create objects.
Using altTerrain Builder
Here are some basic instructions on how altTerrainBuilder can be used.
For Vue 6 users!
NEW!! Vue 6 now supports 16-bit mapping! Click HERE to learn how to do it.
Currently altTerrainBuilder only exports in 8-bit grayscale. Vue 6 supports 16-bit grayscale maps, and they are clearly superior (see image!). To convert your 8-bit to 16-bit is pretty easy in Photoshop and can be automated with an action pretty easily.
Here are the steps in Photoshop to convert from 8-bit to 16-bit:
Open your altTerrainBuilder generated file in Photoshop (either from an open command or New--> Paste from altTerrainBuilder)
Convert the Mode (Under Image menu) to Grayscale and 16 bits/channel
Resize the image 400%: Image menu->Image Size Make sure you check "Resample Image: Bicubic"
Gaussian Blur the image with a value of 20 (larger or smaller depending on image size)
Resize the image back to original size: 25%
Now you have the profile you created in altTerrainBuilder and it's set at 16-bit!
I typically save a bunch of these profiles in a folder and then copy/paste them to the 16-bit TIFF terrain I'm working on.
Currently altTerrainBuilder only exports in 8-bit grayscale. Vue 6 supports 16-bit grayscale maps, and they are clearly superior (see image!). To convert your 8-bit to 16-bit is pretty easy in Photoshop and can be automated with an action pretty easily.
Here are the steps in Photoshop to convert from 8-bit to 16-bit:
Open your altTerrainBuilder generated file in Photoshop (either from an open command or New--> Paste from altTerrainBuilder)
Convert the Mode (Under Image menu) to Grayscale and 16 bits/channel
Resize the image 400%: Image menu->Image Size Make sure you check "Resample Image: Bicubic"
Gaussian Blur the image with a value of 20 (larger or smaller depending on image size)
Resize the image back to original size: 25%
Now you have the profile you created in altTerrainBuilder and it's set at 16-bit!
I typically save a bunch of these profiles in a folder and then copy/paste them to the 16-bit TIFF terrain I'm working on.
How it works
It's important to understand what altTerrain Builder does. It converts profile image data to terrain map data suitable for importing into Vue.
So, what does this mean and how does it work?
Let's start with a simple case— the picture on the left. It shows a basic profile converted into a terrain map using altTerrain Builder and then rendered in Vue.
So, what does this mean and how does it work?
Let's start with a simple case— the picture on the left. It shows a basic profile converted into a terrain map using altTerrain Builder and then rendered in Vue.
Launching altTerrain Builder
altTerrain Builder works on both Mac OSX and WinXP. Everytime altTerrain Builder launches, it checks our Altuit servers for updates. It's part of our application framework, and shouldn't get in the way. Don't worry, we never send any information about you or your computer, and we certainly are not spyware.
After launching, you'll see a very simple window. It has an orange box on the top called the PROFILE IMAGE pane, and a dark gray box on the bottom called the TERRAIN HEIGHT MAP pane.
There are a number of controls for each pane, plus a center area for generating the terrain map.
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After launching, you'll see a very simple window. It has an orange box on the top called the PROFILE IMAGE pane, and a dark gray box on the bottom called the TERRAIN HEIGHT MAP pane.
There are a number of controls for each pane, plus a center area for generating the terrain map.
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Here's a picture of the terrain map used to render the above picture. It was imported into Vue and applied to a Terrain. Keep in mind, the lighter colors are converted to higher points on the terrain, while the darker colors and closer to the bottom.
And here's the original profile image as it was imported into Vue. It was created as a grayscale image and copied from Photoshop and pasted into altTerrain Builder. As you see, it matches the profile for the final rendering.
Same Profile, Another Image
Here's another image using the exact same profile, only this time we've applied it at 90 degrees to the previous profile.
We only show this to demonstrate how powerful terrain profile modeling is and what great results you can get from it.
We only show this to demonstrate how powerful terrain profile modeling is and what great results you can get from it.
Creating A Profile
You can use any program you like to create a profile. We prefer Photoshop. Create your profile keeping in mind how you want your cross-section to look. Start with a white background and create your profile in black.
altTerrain Builder renders the terrain map from the top down. In other words, for each column of pixels, altTerrain walks down until it finds a pixel darker than 50% black, and generates the terrain map from that pixel.
It is not necessary to have the width of your terrain map match the width of your destination terrain, but it is usually a good idea. The height of the terrain map should not exceed 256 pixels, as there are only 256 levels of gray which can be used in generating a terrain map. If you exceed 256, you will get an error message.
You should save your profile image in a format altTerrain Builder can open: PNG, BMP, JPG, GIF
If you use JPG, please be sure and set the quality to maximum so as to not introduce any unwanted errors or artifacts.
Once you have a profile image built, you can either copy it from your application and paste it into altTerrain Builder (using the Paste Picture button) or open it directly (using the Load Picture button).
After a profile image is loaded, underneath it will display the size in pixels of the original image. The image will be stretched to fit the PROFILE IMAGE pane, and you can view it in full resolution by either double-clicking the pane or clicking on the eye button on the lower left.
Clicking the Reset button clears all image panes and starts anew. Clicking on the i button takes you to the altTerrain Builder website where documenation, tutorials, downloads and other information can be found. Clicking the Cylinder Profile button (the black half circle with white background) automatically loads the default 256x256 cylinder Profile Image so you can test altTerrain Builder immediately without having to load a pre-built file.
altTerrain Builder renders the terrain map from the top down. In other words, for each column of pixels, altTerrain walks down until it finds a pixel darker than 50% black, and generates the terrain map from that pixel.
It is not necessary to have the width of your terrain map match the width of your destination terrain, but it is usually a good idea. The height of the terrain map should not exceed 256 pixels, as there are only 256 levels of gray which can be used in generating a terrain map. If you exceed 256, you will get an error message.
You should save your profile image in a format altTerrain Builder can open: PNG, BMP, JPG, GIF
If you use JPG, please be sure and set the quality to maximum so as to not introduce any unwanted errors or artifacts.
Once you have a profile image built, you can either copy it from your application and paste it into altTerrain Builder (using the Paste Picture button) or open it directly (using the Load Picture button).
After a profile image is loaded, underneath it will display the size in pixels of the original image. The image will be stretched to fit the PROFILE IMAGE pane, and you can view it in full resolution by either double-clicking the pane or clicking on the eye button on the lower left.
Clicking the Reset button clears all image panes and starts anew. Clicking on the i button takes you to the altTerrain Builder website where documenation, tutorials, downloads and other information can be found. Clicking the Cylinder Profile button (the black half circle with white background) automatically loads the default 256x256 cylinder Profile Image so you can test altTerrain Builder immediately without having to load a pre-built file.
Setting the Destination Size
In the middle of altTerrain Builder is a section for setting the resolution of the final terrain size. You can actually use any size you like for this as long as the Y value is greater than 3 pixels. If you want to match the default terrain size for Vue, then you should enter 256 x 256. In our example above, we use 512 x 512.
Making the Terrain Map
Before pressing the Make Terrain Map button, let's first discuss the Smooth Map check box. If you are creating a terrain which is different in the X dimension from the Profile, it is recommended to use the Smooth Map setting. This will force the map to a bilinear interpolation and create a smoother terrain.
If the X dimensions are the same, then you should leave it off, though having it on shouldn't create much of an effect. In some cases, using Smooth Map with downsampling, or going from a larger X value in the Profile to smaller X in Destination, creates a more 'blurred' image, and you should consider turning it off.
Once you're ready, click the Make Terrain Map button. The Terrain Height Map will be generarted and a small sound will indicate it's finished. You can then either Copy Map or Save Map.
Copy Map only works with Photoshop and other image editting programs, and NOT with VUE. If you want to import the map directly into VUE, then use the Save Map button and altTerrain Builder will save out a maximum quality JPEG file suitable for importing directly into Vue.
If the X dimensions are the same, then you should leave it off, though having it on shouldn't create much of an effect. In some cases, using Smooth Map with downsampling, or going from a larger X value in the Profile to smaller X in Destination, creates a more 'blurred' image, and you should consider turning it off.
Once you're ready, click the Make Terrain Map button. The Terrain Height Map will be generarted and a small sound will indicate it's finished. You can then either Copy Map or Save Map.
Copy Map only works with Photoshop and other image editting programs, and NOT with VUE. If you want to import the map directly into VUE, then use the Save Map button and altTerrain Builder will save out a maximum quality JPEG file suitable for importing directly into Vue.
Importing into Vue
Now that your Terrain Map is created and exported, it's time to import it into Vue and render it.
Start by creating a new terrain in Vue, and double-clicking it to get into the terrain map editor.
Click on the Picture button on the left side and then click the Load button in the Import Terrain Data window. Locate your file by clicking the small load button (picture of a folder with an arrow over it at the bottom).
Leave the mixing mode alone, and set the Proportions slider to 100% picture.
Start by creating a new terrain in Vue, and double-clicking it to get into the terrain map editor.
Click on the Picture button on the left side and then click the Load button in the Import Terrain Data window. Locate your file by clicking the small load button (picture of a folder with an arrow over it at the bottom).
Leave the mixing mode alone, and set the Proportions slider to 100% picture.
Now save the terrain and do a test render. You may first want to adjust the terrain a bit taller by scaling it so that it matches better your profile.
You image will probably look something like this one. Notice the 'stair-stepping' artifacts on the sloped area and the curved surfaces.
You image will probably look something like this one. Notice the 'stair-stepping' artifacts on the sloped area and the curved surfaces.
The fix is easy. Go back into the Terrain Editor and click the Diffusive button under the Erode tab a few times. While you're there, move the Min Clip slider up just a little to remove the bottom plane of the terrain.
Here's the same terrain, with the Diffuse button clicked 4 times. Notice how much smoother it is.
What's altTerrain Builder good for?
altTerrain Builder is a very basic app and works best if you're a Photoshop user, or have access to another image editing program.
We typically use it to create portions of models, then import them into Photoshop via copy/paste and edit from there. When I'm done, I usually copy directly from Photoshop into Vue.
See a couple of the other tutorials on this site for demos.
altTerrain Builder is not meant as a standalone application for generating terrains. In fact, it needs to have a starter Profile Image in order to generate a height map. You can build your own library of height maps, or download libraries here (coming soon).
We typically use it to create portions of models, then import them into Photoshop via copy/paste and edit from there. When I'm done, I usually copy directly from Photoshop into Vue.
See a couple of the other tutorials on this site for demos.
altTerrain Builder is not meant as a standalone application for generating terrains. In fact, it needs to have a starter Profile Image in order to generate a height map. You can build your own library of height maps, or download libraries here (coming soon).
Support
You can reach us at:
We're always glad to provide customers with support for our products. For altTerrainBuilder support, please contact:
Chipp Walters
email: chipp@altuit.com
Chipp Walters
email: chipp@altuit.com