Converting 3D Terrain to a 2D Height map

by: Rex Hill

 

Note:  This method works for other 3D programs.  This tutorial was written using 3D Studio Max 4

  1. Open a scene where you already have your 3d terrain modeled.
  2. Go to “Rendering>Material Editor…”
  3. Select an empty shader(1)
  4. Change the Self-Illumination(2) value to 100
  5. Hit the blank square to the right of Diffuse(3)
  6. Select gradient ramp from the list(4)
  7. Remove the middle slider by dragging it to an extreme and letting go when it turns red (far right or left)
  8. Change the colors on the sliders to reflect the screenshot by double clicking on the slider and using the color chooser.
  9. Apply a UVW map modifier to your terrain from the list (modifier tab)
  10. Choose planar mapping
  11. Change to X alignment(2) and press the fit button(3)
  12. Change the render type to "box selected"(4)
  13. Change to the top viewport
  14. Select your terrain
  15. Press render
  16. After it is done, press save bitmap
  17. Save your image where you need to (*)

(*)Your working project folder that you should create for organizing all the files that have to do with the specific map you are currently creating.

 

 

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