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Autodesk Multimedia Forum · Autodesk 3D Studio

Landscape Maker?

16 messages in this thread
#123587From: Tolek Lesniewski – GATecSep 13, 1994 2:45 PM
I was wondering if you had used vistapro to convert DEM data files, as the documentation leads me to believe that it will do so, eliminating the need for DEMDXF.exe or another conversion program (at least until you use the data in a surface program like easysurf or quicksurf in acad). Any ideas?
#123818From: Tim c BrananSep 14, 1994 8:40 PM
Vistapro converts DEM data into its own native format. It is useless for any other use but vistapro.
#123889From: Angelo Guarino [DTI Inc]Sep 15, 1994 7:52 AM
Tim, >> It is useless for any other use but vistapro.<< After VistaPro creates the mesh from the DEM, I pretty sure you can export the mesh into 3DS as a DXF file. Ang
#124296From: Mythos Software, Inc.Sep 17, 1994 4:36 PM
Angelo, VistaPro is great for landscapes. Just make a pcx grey scale and import into VistaPro, setup level for ground maps, export mesh as dxf and color map as tga. You can also use Photoshop to enhance the map or incress its size and res. P.S. just a note a high res mesh can take over an hour to convert into 3dstudio.
#124555From: Angelo Guarino [DTI Inc]Sep 19, 1994 5:05 PM
Mythos, I was also responding to someone else who asked the question. Ang
#125297From: spencer lindsaySep 23, 1994 11:51 AM
Angelo, I'm not sure what the context of this conversation was, but, I have been trying to figure out how to get real DEM data or USGS hight-maps into a useable mesh for a while now and I believe I have the answer. I'm not sure whether it's IPAS disk #6 or #7 (I have them both), but one of these (totally cool) disks contains a PXP called "displace". It works great off of a grey scale hight-map which you can get from USGS on the internet (the entire United States in 30 Metre data) or I believe that the newest Vista Pro converts DEM to Gray-Scale (??). Anyway, for the real-time (low polygon) stuff I've been doing lately and the glitzy, 50K polygon marketing things I have to do, this combo has worked great. If you want the internet address for that data from USGS, give me a call or mail me back and I'll dig it up. Spencer Lindsay Time Warner Interactive (formerly Atari Games) (408)434-1738 lindsay@agames.com CIS: 73113.2000
#125367From: Sep 23, 1994 10:52 PM
Lindsey: >> If you want the internet address for that data from USGS, mail me back… Yes, please! Greg Pyros
#125866From: spencer lindsaySep 27, 1994 3:47 PM
Greg, Try either: http://sun1.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/datasets/edcdata.html or http://sun1.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/ndcdb/ndcdb.html for a listing of what's currently available. also check ftp://greenwood.cr.usgs.gov/pub/esic/dem250.txt These are good starting points that should lead you where you wanna go. Happy Hunting! Spencer Lindsay Time Warner Interactive (408)434-1738 lindsay@agames.com
#125900From: Sep 27, 1994 6:26 PM
Spencer: Thanks for the Internet USGS info! Greg Pyros
#126232From: spencer lindsaySep 29, 1994 12:53 PM
No problem Greg, I have found that the "displace" IPAS seems to work best with 256X256 grey-scale hight maps. If I need more terrain than that, I have to chop it up, loft it and then glue it back together,… have you found a way to get around this?? Spence.
#125595From: norbert f. bayerSep 26, 1994 8:17 AM
spencer, I'm using Vistapro, but did not find USGS on the Internet, so if you have the adress somewhere, … leave me mail . thank you , NORBERT BAYER
#125867From: spencer lindsaySep 27, 1994 3:48 PM
Norbert, Try either: http://sun1.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/datasets/edcdata.html or http://sun1.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/ndcdb/ndcdb.html for a listing of what's currently available. also check ftp://greenwood.cr.usgs.gov/pub/esic/dem250.txt These are good starting points that should lead you where you wanna go. Happy Hunting! Spencer Lindsay Time Warner Interactive (408)434-1738
#125609From: Angelo Guarino [DTI Inc]Sep 26, 1994 9:55 AM
Spencer, >> PXP called "displace". It works great off of a grey scale hight-map<< You are right .. its on IPAS #7 .. and that is a really good application for it. >> grey scale hight-map which you can get from USGS on the internet (the entire United States in 30 Metre data)<< What other data have you gotten from USGS on the internet? Is there any processing fee .. or such? The Grey-Scale image .. what resolution is the image itself and how large an area does each image cover? Ang
#125868From: spencer lindsaySep 27, 1994 3:48 PM
Ang, Try either: http://sun1.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/datasets/edcdata.html or http://sun1.cr.usgs.gov/doc/edchome/ndcdb/ndcdb.html for a listing of what's currently available. also check ftp://greenwood.cr.usgs.gov/pub/esic/dem250.txt These are good starting points that should lead you where you wanna go. Happy Hunting! Spencer Lindsay Time Warner Interactive (408)434-1738
#124707From: Tim c BrananSep 20, 1994 1:58 PM
>> After VistaPro creates the mesh from the DEM, I pretty sure you can export the mesh into 3DS as a DXF file.<< This is true, but you aren't going to be getting the same accuracy you would if you used the original DEM.
#124470From: Stephane ViletteSep 19, 1994 4:37 AM
I have created a converter that will read DEM files and convert them to 3DS files without the need of exporting to DXF. I've sent this file in the ASOFT forum. The name is DEM23DS.ZIP Get it and tell me what you think of it. Stephane.