Unreal Terrain from heightmap

[diamond]

Finally, I have uploaded my first tutorial describing how to build terrain from heightmap image.
Software used in this tutorial: UnrealEd, Terragen 0.9, World Machine, Photoshop, 3ds max, and converters (Undying T3D Tool, ASE2T3D).

Check it up here: http://diamond.byethost22.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=5:ue1-terrain&catid=10:tutorials&Itemid=19

[kea]

A kick-ass terrain is already made using this technique, and will be used in Plateau mappack.

[Darkon]

nice! Saw the final result.. looks nice!

(final.. result.. isn't that double actually?.... )

[Buff Skeleton]

Holy CRAP that is beyond awesome. Seriously, wonderful tutorial. I bet you could make some incredible volcanic terrain with this method.

If you don't have 3DSMax, is there any kind of alternative means of accomplishing what that program does?

[Darkon]

Yes, would Blender do as well?

[Hellscrag]

It does look cool but, like any heightmap technique, has inherent limitations in that you can only really create a rolling landscape with it (not jagged canyons with overhangs and rock bridges, Unreal-style).

[Buff Skeleton]

It does look cool but, like any heightmap technique, has inherent limitations in that you can only really create a rolling landscape with it (not jagged canyons with overhangs and rock bridges, Unreal-style).

Yes, this is the only major flaw with heightmaps. However, in Unreal, you can add geometry with tessellated cubes or something similar to get hanging cliff sides.

[Kaka]

em - UE1 terrain -> tesselated cubes / 3d studio . But still, 10 points for initiative

[diamond]

Fixed download link at the end of article.