#Terrain Modeling
6 messages in this thread
Somewhere in the back of my mind I remember reading about a way to create
terrain models from USGS data files.
Can anyone explain how this is done in 3Ds?
If the USGS idea is all wet with 3Ds, then please offer suggestions for other
methods of achieving terrain models.
hi, There are two ways that i use to do so. One is to convert the DEM data to
a delimited ASCII text file, then use "Projector" (available from Schrieber) to
convert the ASCII file to another format for 3D Studio to read in via an IPAS
called 3DSURF (also avail from Schrieber). The second method is to use
Vistapro to save out the data in its DEM format, then use a shareware program
called DEM23DS.EXE to convert to a .3DS file. Oh yeah, Vistapro cant read USGS
DEM data directly. you must first use their (VRLI) MCNV.EXE to convert the USGS
data to Vistapro DEM Data. Pretty convoluted huh? Bill
Rob,
If you have access to a mac, and an internet account, there is a
program that I think you should have. The name is terrainman, its shareware,
and it distorts a 2D plane into a 3D mesh according to a grayscale image (kind
of like a bump map). The best thing for me about it is that it gives much
higher mesh resoulution than vistapro, and the models come in beautiful, and
you can't beat the price. You have full control over the picture and therefore
the mesh, unlike in vistapro, where you have to play around with fractals –
Just open your favorite paint program, paint, convert to grayscale, and save as
dxf. I have converted photos of people to grayscale and in minutes have a mesh
model of their face – Its cool!
– Kevin McTiernan AAST
Kevin
I've been looking for something like this. Could you explain where to
find it?
Thanks, Gary
Gary,
It was on a nautilus CD Rom. If your not familiar with nautilus it is a
monthly magazine that comes on CD Rom with demos, articles, and shareware.
I'm not sure of the month, but I believe it was in the sept – dec 94 range.
I'll see if I can't get more info, I'd check any mac libraries on cserve. Good
Luck
-Kevin McTiernan -AAST
Boy the ability to use photographs to create meshes is by far the most
interesting feature to me. I come from a photography background and can really
get excited about adding realism to my projects.
I'll be in touch.
Bob