Better understanding of importing bmp

[Raptor]

Ok I have made a few large maps that I have used this on, But I do not think I am doing it the easiest way. I would go through and create my mountains using a paint program, so it would come out like this....
(not an actual map)

they come out and where each elevation changes it looks like a platue, I go over it manually and randomy add hills so its not flat, and manually fix the step-like mountains.
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But I see others have posted so it looks more realistic like so..

Originally posted by detch01
(Image removed from quote.)
QUOTE]
How are you making your bmp to import it?

[zmeg]

Mapmaker

[Batz]

if you use the Ak bmp2map you can control elevation. The whitest are being the highest.

Also if you add noise and some blur instead of flat platues you will get more "hills".

If you are going for real elevations then search the forum.

[Dux]

A handy thing to make random terrain BMPs is the "render clouds" filter in PhotoShop.

Painting elevations by hand is a very tricky thing, as most brushes are too hard-edged to give anything but cliffs. Also it's very hard to see the difference between a couple of close values in a greyscale, but just a difference of 2-3% can make an elevation difference of several hundred feet... itwill really stand out. That's why most hand-painted maps (like Pizza) have such extreme cliffs in them.

[BenDover]

Feather is your friend.