CompuServe Messages

Here is one way I have used with success to combine Vistapro Landscapes with 3DS Scenes, it does however require that you generate the path with 3DS, even though MAKEPATH is cool, 3DS ultimately gives more fine control of the path, particularly if you can use the TEMPO IPAS. Step 1: From Vistapro, Export your DEM as a DXF – use a lower poly size to reduce the DXF resolution (if time & memory are at a premium). Step 2: In 3DS, load the DXF and use the mesh as a reference for creating/editing your Camera path and placing 3DS Objects relative to the Topography. Use Paths/Follow to create banking etc. Step3: When happy with the Camera path, create a .VUE file for that Camera Step4: Use VUE2SCR to convert the .VUE file to a Vistapro .SCR file. Step5: Render the Background images at required resolution/size with Vistapro by running the Script. Step6: Back in 3DS, In KeyFramer, Hide the Landscape mesh and render the final composite scene in one pass by using your Vistapro generated frames as either Backgounds (sequential images or a .FL? file), or use Video Post with the Vistapro frames as a queue entry above the KF scene. For the lighting, it is fairly easy to note the "Sun" position you set in 3DS and match it with the lighting panel in Vistapro. VUE2SCR will include the Focal Lengths of the 3DS Camera as it converts if you wish. This method has worked well for me even though it would be nice to use the "ground hugging" path generation of MAKEPATH. Perhaps one could use the Landscape Mesh within 3DS and use PLACE or SCATTER to generate Camera/Target Position Key references at measured distances above the Surface. Let me know if you need more details.