OK, Disclaimer here: I am just starting out to use Vue--been 3DS Max since version 4.  I decided to add Vue to my arsenal when I saw the level of detail I could get in the terrains and atmosphers.  I am using Vue 8 Xtreme 64 bit in Windows 7 Ultimate with Max 2008.

I started tinkering with things and was surprised to see that many of the things are done (with respect to terrain creation) as it was done when I used Bryce 4 YEARS ago.

When I learned about the proceadural terrains/editor, I fell in love with the program!  I did some searching online for instructional material and found Quadspinners awesome tutorials for realist terrains as well as a few others.  However, while these tutorials cover almost everything I needed as far as coming to grips with the function editor, I have yet to find an answer for one of the major things I am trying to do.  Now, I do understand that my issue is more than likely a matter of ignorance/unfamiliarty with the raw power of the function editor that is likely causing my troubles.  One of the issues I have that I am finding is that things are not always called what I think they are when I go looking for them, thus making it even more difficult to search for what I am looking for.  So, please be understanding if I am not as fluent in Vue speak as I describe what I am trying to accomplish.

I am seeing that the terrain fractal functions are always applied to altitude--which is nothing surprising.  I was shocked to learn that you can start with a standard terrain and do the gross painting, sculpting of the landmass and then convert to a procedural terrain to finish with all the details.  Again, this I understand.

Before my computer crashed 2 days ago, I had been looking at a webpage tutorial that mentioned that the fractals could be applied to surface normals rather than a simple altitude up and down.  I lost the site's name and address when my computer crapped out on me.  I understand how surface normals work from my dealings with 3DS Max, but I am having trouble conceptualizing how to apply such a thing.  Here is an example:  You create your typical procedural terrain from the flat plane and make a sheer canyon wall.  Now, with applying the fractal to the surface normal of the vertical face (If this is even possible) rather than altitude, can you get all the the horizontal detail as you would if you started the terrain as though it were on its side and rotated the terrain to stand up for the wall?

I hope this makes sense--I am really working to come to grips with how Vue works in comparison to how Max does things.

Thanks a bunch in advance.

 Yes, you can apply a topical or vertical terrain function to a horizontal part of a terrain or vise-versa. There are tons of really great tutorials on the function editor and terrains at www.geekatplay.com here is a direct link to the ones I think would help...
[http://www.geekatplay.com/terrains/

](http://www.geekatplay.com/terrains/)

You can't apply a function to the surface normal, guess what was meant was that you can apply a fractal function depending on slope, thus choosing to apply it to a vertical surface only.

Or you could also apply a displacement material to your terrain, thus creating overhangs and such stuff. You can do this by editing the bump function of the material that was applied to the terrain in the material editor. Tick the "Displacement" checkbox and the material will displace your terrain. Beware, though. Displacing terrains in Vue is still not half as smooth as it should be. You will have to deal with a lot of artefacts and scale issues.

Quote -  Yes, you can apply a topical or vertical terrain function to a horizontal part of a terrain or vise-versa. There are tons of really great tutorials on the function editor and terrains at www.geekatplay.com here is a direct link to the ones I think would help...
[http://www.geekatplay.com/terrains/

](http://www.geekatplay.com/terrains/)[/quotPerfect, those geek-at-play tuts were what I was looking for.  Thanks everyone for the advice and clarification.  It is very much appreciated.