Transform polyface to heightmap ?
by Claude-Alain Fournier · in Torque Game Engine · 04/04/2004 (12:57 pm) · 4 replies
Hi,
I am new around so excuse me if this topic has already been discussed (I searched but did not found any answer in the forums).
I have a terrain that I like to use. My problem is that the terrain is in polyface and I don't know how to transform to heightmap image. So if somebody has a trick or know a tool that does that, thanks.
Here is the terrain I like to import (part of it only of course) :
(edited : removed the images they are not usefull anymore).
I am new around so excuse me if this topic has already been discussed (I searched but did not found any answer in the forums).
I have a terrain that I like to use. My problem is that the terrain is in polyface and I don't know how to transform to heightmap image. So if somebody has a trick or know a tool that does that, thanks.
Here is the terrain I like to import (part of it only of course) :
(edited : removed the images they are not usefull anymore).
#2
04/05/2004 (8:48 am)
Looking good. You should create a resource when you get the chance instead of posting everything here. That way it will be easy for people to find.
#3
04/05/2004 (1:19 pm)
Good Idea I will create a resource when I get back from holiday in a week time. 
#4
04/05/2004 (7:58 pm)
Awesome. It would be even cooler if you changed the terrain texture, then took an in-game shot from roughly the same angle as the reference photo. :) 
Torque Owner Claude-Alain Fournier
I have GIS data of a Swiss mountain (some will recognise it) and I manage now to transform that polyfaces to heightmaps and then import to Torque. The following images show result of the different steps :
original wiremesh :
generated heightmap :
screen shot from within torque :
the real thing :
Of course in torque it require some rework but that's the idea.
How I did it ? For the ones interested I used Kashmir 3d that's a japanese freeware :
Kasmir3D
It allow you to see the map from top and by using palette it apply colors to heights (you can configure it to the meter) So I did it using a different shade for every 25m. Then select the option "step color no step" and you get the height map. Save it transform it to 256x256, import in Torque and here we are.
If you like more informations on the differents steps post here. I am not available for a week so be patient.