We will learn to create quick mountains importing a bitmap file and converting it into a Mesh. The ability to import a bitmap image and have its grayscale information converted into a mesh is a great tool.
Strata 3D gives us the possibility of importing images and translating the pixel color information into the height of a polygon or spline mesh. We’ll use this function to create quick mountains.
We’ll use a 400×400 pixel image – black background – on which we’ll paint relief in low-opacity white with a brush. Please notice that we don’t need to be super detailed here, just build up shades of gray.
Our height map
This is the map we’ll import into a new Strata 3D scene, using the File>Import… command (or Cmd/Ctrl+I).
After selecting our bitmap file, we’ll be presented with this dialog.
Here we choose the settings. The only change from the default settings was choosing spline instead of polygon. It is easier to edit in case we need to.
We’ll get vertical mountains.
The imported mesh
After being rotated, we have our mountains.
These mountains are the perfect excuse for a Solid Rock shader.
A camera, a Sun & Sky background, and we have a decent scene.
These mountains are also the perfect excuse for playing with the Fog shader.
