Surface Map Examples

Two very basic examples on how to use the Surface Map system. Example files are included with the full Terragen Installation package.

1. Grass and Rock

This surface simulates a grassy landscape with bare steep slopes.

  • Click on the "Surface Map" item (the only item at this point) and click twice on "Add Child".

  • Double-click on the first subitem. The "Surface Layer" properties window will open. By default, all new surfaces have a rocky colour anyway, so we won't need to change it.
    Click on the "Advanced Distribution" tab.
    Change "Coverage" to maximum, and "Fractal Noise" to minimum (This is because we want this surface to cover everything initially). Uncheck the "Max Slope" checkbox.
    Now Close the "Surface Layer" window.

  • Double-click on the second sub-item. Click on "Colour" and select the green preset button.
    The "Max Slope" checkbox should already be set, so unless you want to change the steepness of the maximum slope, we don't need to do any more here.

Because the "Grass" surface is below the "Rock" surface in the list, the grass covers the rock in places where the slope's not too steep.

2. Snow-capped mountains.

Start with the Grass and Rock surface as described above.

  • First select the "Surface Map" item in the list. Click on "Add Child" and double-click on the new item.

  • Change the colour of the new surface to white - there's a preset for this.

  • Go to "Advanced Distribution", and check the "Min altitude" box. Enter in a minimum height for the surface. (You can decide on this value easier by moving the mouse pointer around on the Landscape Dialog and watching the "z" value - when the pointer is over a suitable snowline, use the value indicated.)

  • Change "Coverage" to a high (or maximum) value.

You may need to experiment with the "Min altitude" value.



render controls

landscape

water

clouds

atmosphere

lighting

image
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©December, 2002 John McLusky