Someone posted this on CG talk forums...(I thought it was helpful)

Originally Posted by miden1138

I use DEMs all the time in Vue. I personally think that it is the only way to go with most landscapes.

I posted a quicky tutorial on YouTube (which it compressed the heck out of, so it looks really bad), but it shows how to load a DEM into Vue.

Here's the link if you want to check it out.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8eBJUIGR81c

Hope this helps.

Here is another tut in pdf form I found helpful too....

http://www.cornucopia3d.com/pub/tutorial/USGS_SDDS%20Tutorial.pdf

I found this one too

http://www.highend3d.com/maya/tutorials/general/253.html

Harder than shit to understand...

1. need python
2. need Pullsdts
3. need raw update loaded in CS

Bloody complicated as hell! couldnt they just allow you to download a freaking tif?

Dude that tutorial is badass ! TY!

You can pretty much look at a google earth sim......anywhere in the world and keep zooming in till you see something you like....(Like for instantance a nice Hawain island)...then just download the dem files....BITCHIN

The thing that threw me off.....was I thought the DEM files (where basically converted tifs)...(they are not) DEM files not only create displacement but also the terrain...."SO LONG VUE TERRAIN EDITOR!"

Quote - Here is another tut in pdf form I found helpful too....

http://www.cornucopia3d.com/pub/tutorial/USGS_SDDS%20Tutorial.pdf

Finally! I've been following you around trying to push this tut your way for several threads! Several forums! Glad I could help! You'll notice that the USGS site has changed a bit but the info is still valid...

Oh! Killer work you have been up to!! I hope you stick around and share your insights... 

Quote - Dude that tutorial is badass ! TY!

You can pretty much look at a google earth sim......anywhere in the world and keep zooming in till you see something you like....(Like for instantance a nice Hawain island)...then just download the dem files....BITCHIN

The thing that threw me off.....was I thought the DEM files (where basically converted tifs)...(they are not) DEM files not only create displacement but also the terrain...."SO LONG VUE TERRAIN EDITOR!"

Quote - Here is another tut in pdf form I found helpful too....

http://www.cornucopia3d.com/pub/tutorial/USGS_SDDS%20Tutorial.pdf

Quote - You can pretty much look at a google earth sim......anywhere in the world and keep zooming in till you see something you like....(Like for instantance a nice Hawain island)...then just download the dem files....BITCHIN

Could someone kindly point me in the right direction for downloading the info/file from Google Earth to create a terrain in Vue Infinite? I shall look again at Google Earth, but from previous visits I do not recall having seen the relevant links/commands......

All help is much appreciated.

Kind regards 

Quote - > Quote - You can pretty much look at a google earth sim......anywhere in the world and keep zooming in till you see something you like....(Like for instantance a nice Hawain island)...then just download the dem files....BITCHIN

Could someone kindly point me in the right direction for downloading the info/file from Google Earth to create a terrain in Vue Infinite? I shall look again at Google Earth, but from previous visits I do not recall having seen the relevant links/commands......

All help is much appreciated.

Kind regards 

Hi,
I don't think you can download terrains from Google Earth...
I think what Checkthegate was saying was using the USGS dem site is Like using Google earth. To do that you will have to read the tutorial here:
 http://www.cornucopia3d.com/pub/tutorial/USGS_SDDS%20Tutorial.pdf
I could never explain better than that tut...

yes the USGS is LIKE google earth (although the tools and use is very bizantine)

Does anyone know what format DEM files are used with VistaPro?

I have an old copy ( v4.0) of Vista Pro, and it has a whole CD of DEM files, but Vue refuses to import them. What I have to do is import them into Bryce (5.5), then export as either obj or "copy" the image in the Bryce Terrain Editor, and paste it into a photo program before importing into Vue.

That makes for a long process, and it would be much easier if Vue could read these files!

DEM files are bit new to me. (I thought they were just B&W files you import in the terrain editor)

I was getting them from the above tutorial link...and I was just using import (from file menue) and it would bring in the DEM and create a terrain for me all hooked up...

(I dont know if this helps)

Quote - Does anyone know what format DEM files are used with VistaPro?

I have an old copy ( v4.0) of Vista Pro, and it has a whole CD of DEM files, but Vue refuses to import them. What I have to do is import them into Bryce (5.5), then export as either obj or "copy" the image in the Bryce Terrain Editor, and paste it into a photo program before importing into Vue.

That makes for a long process, and it would be much easier if Vue could read these files!

 Thankyou for clearing that up, Powertec.......

Fortunately, I did not allow myself to raise my hopes too high!

In order for Vue to be able to use a DEM file it has to be converted to a USGS ASCII DEM file as far as I know. It's the way I have been doing it according to the tutorial I brought up wrote by "hclbaumbach", I believe. It works very well and doesn't take much time at all...
Here is an animation I made quite a while ago using the DEM of Mt. Bachelor:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmfWmGjicOI
I'll post images I made of Diamond Head in Waikiki and the Koolaus on Oahu.
But yes, one can basically use the USGS site as a Google Earth and download any part of the US and stuff into Vue without that much work...

 Ahhh, but does anyone know how I might create a terrain for a site in West Africa?

Please, please, please.................

USGS has international DEMS no?

Quote -  Ahhh, but does anyone know how I might create a terrain for a site in West Africa?

Please, please, please.................

Hi checkthegate,

I've spent the best part of today trying to find appropriate DEMs for West Africa from USGS and their three recommended distributors. So far I have been unable to locate anything useful other than a DEM map of the whole of West Africa at 1 pixel = 1km.

I am not helped by being on a neanderthal 56k connection! (and I'm having a bit of a 'numpty' day...).

If anyone can help: I am hoping for a DEM of a small coastal town called 'Joal', Senegal, West Africa. I would love to be able to model the local peninsula as the setting for my project.

Any help gratefully received.

Cheers

PS: I should add that I am not expecting too much: I can see no reason why it would have been height mapped in any detail in the first place ~ its not of any particular interest to the US, and the Senegalese should be concentrating what resources they have on more fundamental issues.....

I am not the expert on DEMS....but I beleive there a couple services for DEM.....(which I dont know)....either google search.....or try other forums talking about DEMS

or maybe use a substitute island.....like Hawaii and try and fake it?

I think that the most efficient way of doing it will be to produce my own 16bit tiff images from google earth views and use these to generate the terrain and also populate with ecosystem materials / plants / roads / buildings......... it'll certainly keep me busy learning how to and then doing it !

I am a little disappointed with the terrain editor. Ive tried putting images in there....(and you can do generalistic shapes)(but you can also do that by clincking a few random buttons in V6 lol)

Im still longing for the super detail of a program like terragen or geocontrol2

I have heard people use geocontrol terains and bring the maps in (although I havent tried)

anythings better than that f*#^king terrain editor (I want my $45 back from Aisle DVDs)

 My searches are also leading me towards GeoControl: The only sticking point being that I will have to procure a copy of Windows/Vista to run via Bootcamp on my Mac. Its never simple........