Adding a Height Map

The Height Map object is used to sculpt the terrain using an image. Using a height map, you are able to draw your terrain elevations using a paint program such as Photoshop or Paint Shop Pro. Once your image is imported into Realtime Landscaping Plus, it can be added to your landscape designs where the drawing will be converted into height information.

To create and import a custom height map:

1.   Open the paint program you would like to use and create a new document sized 512x512 or 1024x1024.

2.   Draw the terrain using shades of gray. Brighter shades should be used for areas of the terrain that are raised more, and darker shades should be used for areas raised less. Black may be used where the terrain should not be raised at all.

3.   Save the image in 24-bit BMP format.

4.   Import the image as a height map using the Picture Import Wizard.

5.   When browsing available height maps, your imported image will appear within the Custom category.

To add a height map that you have already imported:

1.   Click the Add Height Map button that is found near the top of the screen under the Terrain tab.

2.   Click the picture of the default height map that appears to the right of the screen, and then select the height map you would like to use.

3.   Click an area of your landscape design to place the first corner of the height map.

4.   Click another area of your landscape design to place the opposite corner of the height map.

How it Works

The brightness of each pixel of the height map drawing determines how much the terrain should be raised or lowered. Areas of the drawing that are black will remain flat, while areas that are white will match the height map’s Height property.

For example, if the height property of the height map is set to 10 feet (3.08 m), then wherever the height map is white, the terrain will raise to 10 feet (3.08 m). Where the map is gray, the terrain will raise to 5 feet (1.52 m). The height property can also be set to negative values in order to lower the terrain.

Surrounding your height map image with a black border will prevent edge seams. For an example, see the sample height map below.

When using detailed height maps, it is recommended to set the terrain resolution to High. For details, see Terrain Settings.

The picture below is a sample height map included with Realtime Landscaping Plus.

The empty landscape design in the picture below uses the height map shown above to form its topology.

The picture below illustrates a completed landscape that uses the height map shown above.

In the picture below, the name of our landscape design software was imported as a height map.

Tips:

•      Height maps can be any size needed.

•      Multiple height maps can be used in a single design.

•      Adding a black border to the height map image can improve results by eliminating potential edge seams.

•      When working with complex height maps such as in the picture shown above, it is recommended to use a High terrain resolution. See Terrain Settings for more information.

•      If a height map overlaps other terrain sculpting objects, it may be necessary to modify the Terrain Sculpting Order.

See also:

Height Map Properties
Setting Object Properties
Selecting Objects
Selecting Points
Editing Objects
Adding Slope
Adding a Height Grid
Adding a Height Painter