Ok, I previously only did terrain images since I use Terragen and Mojoworld. IS there a way to use terrains from other software? I have World MAchine which will output to a .bmp, but is that the only way to get terrain into Vue? Does anyone know of a way to use DEM files for Vue terrain?

You can use DEM files for terrains, yes. When i remember it right, you use them as you would use a bitmap. Vue does recognise them automatically.

I haven't tried it.. but the manual says you can directly import DEM files.. in other words you don't have to go to the terrain editor at all.. just import the file and poof... you have a mountain with all the info from the file :) sounds to easy LOL I'm guessing you are on a PC? know any mac software that does DEM type files? I've been thinking of trying all this terrain stuff but can't file any DEM files out there. I'd really like to get an copy of the White mountains from somewhere but can't seem to find it.. any ideas where i can find? (not to change the subject)

Yes, you can use DEMs easily in V5. I import them via the terrain editor, haven't tried doing it directly. Just click on "picture" then "load", and DEM is one of the file options available. I've used both TG & MW terrains in V5, they can yield impressive results with a bit of work.

How do you get the MW & TG terrains? I am also wanting to use that terrainthat Ihave seen many times with the view between the two tall cliffs.

thomllama, here is the best source for free real world DEM files out there: http://www.geocomm.com/ You'll have to register (which is free) and you'll have to figure out what county you're looking for and what the quadrangle is named but once you know that you'll be able to download and use 10 meter res. data. Also, I recommend downloading the program "3dem" just do a websearch for it, it allows you to load up multiple DEM files and crop out the area you need (since Vue has a limitation on the size of DEM's it can import) and will allow you to crop out the annoying noise wall that pops up on the edges of the terrain if you just do a straight import into Vue. Oh, you'll also need 3dem in order to extract/open the special format used in newer DEM files (SDTS) so you can export it out to the USGS format Vue likes. That's all I can think of off the top of my head, let me know if you have more questions, I've got a ton of experience working with DEM files in Vue

well thanks.. but unfortunatly i can't use any of it.. it's all PC and i have a Mac..

You can't use the programs, true. But the dem-files should be usable. I am on Mac too and tried out some dems that i have downloaded from the Internet (can't remember from where). I looked at geocomm.com but was too stupid to find the free downloads. Why must that all be so difficult? However, not a big problem for me, i will survive without dems.

i couldn't find anything on geocomm either.. :

Attached Link: http://data.geocomm.com/catalog/index.html

This takes you straight to the free page...it's only the US as far as I can see.

cool thanks for the link.. works great.. but once again I can't use anything there.. they say "DEM" but the file type is STDM" or some such thing which Vue wont read.. :

Here's a link to an SDTS to DEM converter, but it doesn't say whether it works with a Mac.
http://www.cs.arizona.edu/topovista/sdts2dem/

It gets a little confusing, I think a lot of the confusion comes from the fact that a lot of websites and GIS data places tend to use the acronym DEM as a description (since it stands for Digital Elevation Model) rather than restricting it to being used for the actual .dem file format, so it gets hard to do searches because you'll get stuff that was created using a digital elevation model, but isn't actually available in the .dem format. Very annoying, especially when you're trying to find .dem files outside of the country or for specific locations where it's not covered by the standard usgs data.

Sorry I wasn't more help, maybe somebody who uses a mac will chime in eventually. Oh and just to touch on the subject Dlk brought up, international .dem files are very hard to find and I have yet to find any really useable information nor found any place that has any library of them, if I do it will definately end up in the forums because I know there's a desire to find some non-US locations to use.

Message edited on: 02/14/2005 19:16

Attached Link: http://www.renderosity.com/viewed.ez?galleryid=874094&Start=1&Artist=qitted&ByArtist=Yes

Someone over at another forum gave out another link...but those files are .dat..I have no clue what those are. To be honest...I'm with Wabe..too much trouble to mess with. There was a pic here in the Vue gallery that was made with a dem & a pic applied. It made E-ONs pic of the day & also over at DeviantArt. Here I thought it was alpha plane.

I'll come back & post a link...brb LOL

Message edited on: 02/14/2005 19:28

Wow amazing pic! I wnat to do an image using the terrain where people have the camera looking between two cliffs. I have seen many images done with it. Where can I find it?

I think before you search a long time for something like this, you create it yourself. Create two terrains and position them to the left and right of the camera. Maybe rotate them so that they look as you want it to. I think that is quickest and easiest.