====== About L3DT ====== ===== What is L3DT? ===== L3DT is a Windows application for generating terrain maps and textures. It is intended to help game developers and digital artists create vast high-quality 3D worlds. ===== What does it do? ===== ^ Take the [[l3dt:about:tour|visual tour]] of features >> ^ L3DT does quite a lot. A brief list of features would include: ==== Generating and editing heightmaps ==== * Designable heightfields using a high-level '[[l3dt:reference:maps:dm|design map]]' in which you can specify land altitudes, roughness, lakes, climate, etc. * A fast and flexible [[l3dt:algorithms:hf:design_inflate|fractal 'inflation']] based heightfield generator, including effects such as [[l3dt:algorithms:hf:erosion|erosion]], [[l3dt:algorithms:hf:terrace|terraces and cliffs]], [[l3dt:algorithms:hf:volcano|volcanos]], [[l3dt:algorithms:hf:mountain|mountain peaks]], etc., all of which are controlled from the design map. * An integrated [[bundywiki>plugins:sapphire:userguide:hf_edit|3D heightfield editor]] that allows you to easily shape and reshape your heightfield using mouse-driven brush tools. ==== Generating textures, light maps, bump maps, alpha/splat maps, etc. ==== * A [[l3dt:algorithms:tx|texture generator]] for high-resolution interpolated ground texture maps, as well as the ability to [[l3dt:userguide:ops:alpha|generate alpha maps]] for run-time 'texture splatting'. * A extensible [[l3dt:algorithms:cli|climate modelling]] engine for controlling the distribution of ground textures, including [[l3dt:algorithms:wm#water_table_and_salinity_mapping|water-table and salinity modelling]]. Supports up to 65,000 unique and user-definable land types per map. * Automatic and manual [[l3dt:userguide:ops:wm|water-flooding]] routines, for making sea and lakes at different water levels. * A fast [[l3dt:algorithms:lm|light mapping module]] for pre-calculated terrain lighting and shadow casting, including [[l3dt:algorithms:lm#high-resolution_light_mapping|high-resolution light mapping]] and [[l3dt:algorithms:lm#bump_mapping|bump mapping]]. ==== 3D display ==== * Real-time 3D rendering and editing of maps in the [[bundywiki>plugins:sapphire|Sapphire]] plugin, as well as support for [[http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/|Terragen]], [[http://www.vterrain.org/Doc/Enviro/overview.html|VTP Enviro]], and other popular renderers. ==== Calculations and optimisations ==== * An automated calculation pipeline that allows you to [[:l3dt:userguide:ops:calcqueue|queue-up]] some or all of your calculations, set the relevant settings, and then walk away while L3DT does its thing. No program baby-sitting is required. * An [[l3dt:algorithms:mosaics|automatic disk paging]] system that supports heightfields up to 128k × 128k pixels in size (16 gigapixels) and textures up to 4M × 4M pixels (16 terapixels). //Want to make [[wp>MegaTexture|megatextures]]?// No problem! * Support for [[l3dt:userguide:multithreading|multi-core processing]]. * A [[l3dt:userguide:batch|batch generation engine]] for making multiple map projects automatically. ==== File formats ==== * Support for a [[l3dt:formats:support|broad range of file formats]]: * Image formats, including BMP, JPG, PNG, TGA, DDS, PGM, PBM, PCX and RAW. * Mesh files, including DAE (COLLADA), OBJ, X, 3DS, B3D, and TIN (export only). * Terrain exchange formats, including TER ([[http://www.planetside.co.uk/terragen/|Terragen]]), BT ([[http://www.vterrain.org|Virtual Terrain Project]]), GeoTIFF (import only), and HFZ. * Game engine terrain files, including TER ([[http://www.torquepowered.com/products|Torque 3D]]), SD7 ([[http://springrts.com/|Spring]]) and HTF ([[http://glscene.sourceforge.net/wikka/HomePage|GLScene]]). * Support for more formats may be added by [[bundywiki>plugins|plugins]]. ==== Customisation ==== * A [[bundywiki>plugins:calc:ZeoGraph:userguide:window|graphical interface]] for performing custom calculations by connecting together multiple 'filters'. * Support for scripting using the Python and ZeoScript languages (via the [[bundywiki>plugins:general:cdPython|cdPython]] and [[bundywiki>plugins:general:ZeoScript|ZeoScript]] plugins). * An extensive [[:zeolite|plugin API]] that allows developers to directly access L3DT data, perform calculations, load or save files, add new file format options, etc. The source code for many [[zeolite:downloads:examples|examples are provided]]. ==== User support ==== * A [[l3dt:userguide:wthru|walk-through tutorial]] is integrated with the program. * A comprehensive and up-to-date [[l3dt:userguide|user guide]] is available on-line. * Support and advice is available through the [[http://www.bundysoft.com/phpBB2/|community forum]]. * A [[bundywiki>start|users' wiki]] is provided, including spaces for user-submitted [[bundywiki>tutorials|tutorials]], [[bundywiki>climates|climates]], and other material. Please note that some of these features are only available to registered users of [[http://www.bundysoft.com/L3DT/downloads/professional.php|L3DT Professional]]. Please consult the [[l3dt:editions|comparison of editions]] page. ===== Who's responsible for all of this? ===== The name's [[aaron:whoami|Aaron Torpy]], and I'm the proprietor of [[http://www.bundysoft.com|Bundysoft]]. ===== More questions? ===== * More detailed information may be reached from the [[:start|information page]]. * The [[l3dt:faq|frequently asked questions]] page has some answers to said questions. * The [[http://www.bundysoft.com/phpBB2/|L3DT community forum]] is the best place to ask for help or pose questions.