Here is a quick start guide for anyone interested in quickly prototyping their terrain GEO features within an art studio (PhotoShop) prior to importing with the TE.
1. Create new doc: 4096x4096 16 bit Grayscale Canvas
2. Unlock and rename the default layer to something like "Land Mass Basic". Select all and press delete, this step is performed so the next step can be seen between any islands you may create.
3. Create an additional layer, call it "Deep Water". Fill it with one of three RGB values: -256ft = "255,255,255" , -512ft = "254,254,254" , -756ft = "253,253,253".
Make sure this layer sits below your default layer "Land Mass Basic".
Now the fun begins!
Thanks to Hitech for providing the information that I requested!
The following equation is used to find elevation levels based on RGB values. The RGB range used is 0-127 on all three channels and from this on, unless specified, a single value will be used for all three RGB values. (IE... 127 = R:127 G: 127 B:127)
-# * 256 =
ie... -3 * 256 = 768ft in elevation
4. Start adding land mass to the "Land Mass Basic" layer using an RGB value of 0, this is going to put all of you land masses at 0ft in elevation, don't worry we will be adding some elevation in a few minutes.
5. Once you are satisfied with the land that you have created go ahead and create a new layer and name it "Elev Gradients". This layer is going to be used in an unorthodox manner to add large land shapes at several elevations by cheating the system away from the standard gradient functions.
*** Make sure you have your foreground color set to an RGB value of 0 and that it is the active color for painting ***6. Select the paint brush tool, make sure you are using a hard edged brush, with the RGB value set to 0 it's time to draw a squiggly line on the new layer "elev Gradients". Feel free to draw what ever you want, just keep in mind that the more complex the pattern the more work you will have to put in to tame the beast.
*** your paint brush RGB value should be the same value as max elevation color you will select in step 7f below*** TURN OFF "ANTI-ALIAS" IN THE MENU BAR LOCATED BELOW THE STANDARD FILE, EDIT MENU ***The next set of steps deal with the stroke layer effect function and the nuts and bolts within this particular effect.
7. Double click your "Elev Gradient" layer and select stroke from the styles list.
7a. The size is dependent on personal choice. I typically use 60px
7b. Position should be set outside, unless you have a massively wide line and then it should be set to "inside".
7c. Blend mode: Normal, Opacity: 100%
7d. Fill type: Gradient
7e.
Set the gradient style to: Shape Burst 7f. Gradient: click on the gradient bar, the gradient markers (bottom markers) is where the magic happens as far as elevations are concerned. Double click on the white marker (box connected to the triangle). it opens the color picker, you are going to input the highest elevation you want for this particular range. The following equation should be used to determine the RGB to Elevation value.
-# * 256 =
ie... -3 * 256 = 768ft in elevation
Using the same equation we are going to set the lowest elevation for the range.
When you are satisfied with your gradient go ahead and select all layers and press ctrl+E. Now it's time to save your image as a .raw file for the TE
Make sure you save it with the IBM PC bit order to minimize artifacts.
I will add more to this when I get home from work in about 9 hrs.
Cheers,
Dave
