Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => Terrain Editor => Topic started by: LePaul on April 04, 2001, 11:23:00 AM
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I love these maps people are coming up with and fascinated at some of the screenshots folks are taking. I'd like to know where I can find map data of my area (Bangor, Maine USA) and turn that into a map for Aces High...can someone drop me some clues?
Thanks...looking forward to making some cool maps that feature areas that are local to me (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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http://edcdaac.usgs.gov/gtopo30/gtopo30.html (http://edcdaac.usgs.gov/gtopo30/gtopo30.html)
You will need Ogres utility to use the DEM files from the URL above. Get Ogres Mapmaker from HTC downloads page.
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Outstanding, thank you very much.
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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Maybe this is a better question for Ogre but since others use his program, maybe I can spare him a boring email (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
I have followed his instructions to a tee and understand the load time of the maps is part of the process. But how long is how long? I have selected a 14 degree grid and I am using the DEM data of Northeast United States. The DOS Window shows the program is opening that large IMG file, and my System Tools shows the CPU Usage at 100%. My system is:
Intel P2 450mhz
256mb RAM
40gb HDD
3DFX Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
I notice my mouse disappears while in the Map Creator form, is this because my 3DFX openGL is a bit old or odd? How long is normal for this thing to display the data and overlays? I let it go overnight and its still at it. I have a dual pentium pro server that might crunch the data a bit faster, but its not equipped with a 3D card (openGL, etc etc)...would that work to just get the data into AH format?
Thanks...so far I have the data, but Im just staring at the screen wondering when she'll be done rendering.
Note: For a grid, Im asking the program to use Lat 44 and Long 68. Too big?
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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You *might* have input the wrong co-ordinates - or you don't have the correct DEM file for the co-ordinates your using.
The DEM file for Maine should be W100N90, I'll check the latitude and longitude for you and post if your data is incorrect.
Your system should have no problem with rendering terrain files.
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Originally posted by jihad:
You *might* have input the wrong co-ordinates - or you don't have the correct DEM file for the co-ordinates your using.
The DEM file for Maine should be W100N90, I'll check the latitude and longitude for you and post if your data is incorrect.
Your system should have no problem with rendering terrain files.
I do have that file, I am awful curious about my video card and OpenGL though...went home for lunch and she's still at 100% cpu usage. <knocks head> Ain't ripe yet (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
I work for Nautical Technologies, we make a Navigation program called Capn Voyager. Attached is a screen shot from it, showing the area of interest. Note the lat/lon in the upper left...
(http://www.checksix.net/bangor.gif)
The Lat/Long I gave the Map creator is 44.44 and 68.46 and a size of 12 degrees. I'd like an area that covers New England, from Maine to Mass. Perhaps the area I told it to use is too small/large?
Thank you, Jihad.
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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DOH!
I didn't consider that 3dfx O/GL might be the problem, 14* width isn't the problem as 15.0 is roughly 1656 km squared. <512 miles>
I'll download that DEM tonight and render the elv and typ files for you.
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Originally posted by jihad:
DOH!
I didn't consider that 3dfx O/GL might be the problem, 14* width isn't the problem as 15.0 is roughly 1656 km squared. <512 miles>
I'll download that DEM tonight and render the elv and typ files for you.
Just checking, any progress? Im dying to start work on this.
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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I downloaded the DEM file and tried the coordinates you posted but only get a white screen.
I'll download the adjoining DEM files and try again.
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Originally posted by jihad:
I downloaded the DEM file and tried the coordinates you posted but only get a white screen.
I'll download the adjoining DEM files and try again.
Great (I mean, that you got the same result as I did). Look forward to your next post...keep them here so they can serve as a guide to others (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
Thanks again!
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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Bad news I'm afraid, I got the adjoining dem file but still have the white display.
Mapmaker ran *very* quickly with the coordinates you posted, <too fast based on my experience> I clicked on the white area and it showed ground cover in the lower boxes so I ran the elv and typ files in AH editor.
It only showed a flat terrain w/o water or any elevations above 0 feet, I'm wondering if the GTPO dem file is corrupted?
Sorry about that, I'll mail the GTPO site and ask them to check it out.
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Originally posted by jihad:
Bad news I'm afraid, I got the adjoining dem file but still have the white display.
Mapmaker ran *very* quickly with the coordinates you posted, <too fast based on my experience> I clicked on the white area and it showed ground cover in the lower boxes so I ran the elv and typ files in AH editor.
It only showed a flat terrain w/o water or any elevations above 0 feet, I'm wondering if the GTPO dem file is corrupted?
Sorry about that, I'll mail the GTPO site and ask them to check it out.
Thanks, I appreciate the effort. Keep me advised, please.
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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<shameless punt>
Anyone else having trouble with MapCreator and the DEM data?
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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I NEVER got it to work
NUTTZ
Originally posted by LePaul:
<shameless punt>
Anyone else having trouble with MapCreator and the DEM data?
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Nuttz,
I admire your work, can you share some advice and tidbits with a rank novice?
I'm ready to learn, Obi-Wan (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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Sure where would you like to start young Luke
NUTTZ
Originally posted by LePaul:
Nuttz,
I admire your work, can you share some advice and tidbits with a rank novice?
I'm ready to learn, Obi-Wan (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/biggrin.gif)
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Originally posted by NUTTZ:
Sure where would you like to start young Luke
NUTTZ
Well, how about from the begining? I would like to create a map of the area in which I live (Maine/New England), is there a way to do that from the publicly available data? Or should I download some 3rd party program and play with that and create something from scratch?
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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I asked the GTPO site to check that file out, they reported it works perfectly on their applications.
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I use AKwabbits Bmp maker, you can get it on HTC's downloads link. Follow the instructions. You'll need another art program to make the map, If you can find a topography greyscale of Maine or the area that would be even better, The greyscaled Bmp is what sets the altitude of the terrains in the TE. White being higher, black is sea level. AKwabbits program will make the elevation files (.ELV)
Lets say i want to make a map and call it "NUTTZ"
I make the greyscale map in an art program ( I use Corel) name the map NUTTZ, You'll need to read AKWabbits readme file for the greyscale .Bmp size.
Open AKwabbits program and use the NUTTZ.Bmp AKwabbits program will ask you the file name it will call it, So call it NUTTZ. The program will make a few files and place them where you want ( i use the TE/terrain folder.
Now I exit the program and Open the TE, open up edit terrain, and then on the right side hit set terrain and type in NUTTZ, THIS will automatically make a new folder in the TE/terrains folder and the folder will be called NUTTZ ( or whatever you "set" terrain to) Now Close the program it will ask you if you want to save I usually say no. Now goto c: drive and go to the TE terrains folder and grab the files AKwabbits program made i "think" it's 2 or 3 ONE will be named NUTTZ.elv grab the files and cut, then paste them into the TE/Terrains/NUTTZ folder and let the files over write the files..
Now Open the TE again and NUTTZ map will be there WITH the correct elevation..
WHEW sounds long but this only takes seconds to do.
Any questions?
NUTTZ
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Hello,
I just received an email pointing me to this discussion, sorry I don't monitor this board a whole lot lately.
I'm not sure what the problem is, but I was able to bring up New England in MapMaker. Since I haven't downloaded the DEM in a while, perhaps there is a problem with the version on the site.
Below is the result I get using Lat=49.3 long=-73 (remember you are going West) and width=8. Also, remember that you are providing the lat/long of the upper left corner, the width then determines the lower right corner.
(http://www.cris.com/~reaper/ne.jpg)
If you typed in +68 for longitude, you would be placed somewhere in Russia, which if you didn't have the tiles for, you give you strange results. 68 W = (360-68) = 292 E = (292-360)= -68. The best way to avoid problems is to always figure longitude by going east.
One thing that you have to be particularily careful with is how you unpack the files from USGS. It has to be done exactly as discribed in my web page with the byte results I mention. Otherwise strange stuff occurs. I don't know if this is the problem, though.
Paul, I can send you the output files from this run if you'd like (or let me know what changes you'd like). What email address you would like it sent to? It will be about a 1 meg file.
Ogre
[This message has been edited by Ogre (edited 04-14-2001).]
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Woohoo! You made my day!
Mt email is webmaster@checksix.net
Well, you pretty much walked me through step on, now the joys of the terrain editor (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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Thought I'd try again with the settings your screen shot displayed. I got an amusing result.
Ever wonder what New England looks like seconds after World War 3 begins? Here it is (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
(http://www.checksix.net/mapmaker.jpg)
Two things I wonder:
1. Is my 3DFX card a possible problem? I notice my mouse disappears anytime I move it onto the form, makes for real dicey guesswork to fill in the data.
2. Is this app requiring OpenGL or D3D? If I recall, 3DFX's OpenGL was kinda weak and since they are no longer in business, I might need to jump into that ATI Radeon that much sooner.
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
[This message has been edited by LePaul (edited 04-14-2001).]
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Got your email. Renamed the files newengland.elv and newengland.typ
Aces High terrain editor is pretty loosely versed.......no real help on "loading" a terrain. Still trying (and its late, so patience is slipping).
Any tips appreciated.
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)
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Doh! Ok, got past this step...didnt have the OBA (obj?) file and simply created one. Wow, my nice and pretty map got turned into, well, resembled 16 color ANSI graphics now! Trying to get the map to zoom out a bit so I can establish a grid around Maine, NH and Mass (especially cape cod). Having the joystick control parts of the movement is more annoying than helpful, so far. Still reading the docs, and what others have said, and taking it from there. Time to draw some bases and turn those blocks of water back into a river (the Penobscot River) (http://bbs.hitechcreations.com/smf/Smileys/default/smile.gif)
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Paul J. Busiere
Aces High Arena handle: BD5Pilot
http://bd5.checksix.net (http://bd5.checksix.net)
BD-5 "T" (TurboProp) 90% complete, first flight in 2001 (We hope!)