l3dt:about [2011/01/13 02:59]
127.0.0.1 external edit |
l3dt:about [2017/08/31 06:39] (current)
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| | ===== What is L3DT? ===== | | ===== What is L3DT? ===== |
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| - | L3DT is a Windows application for generating terrain maps and textures. It is intended to help game developers and digital artists create large high-quality 3D worlds. | + | 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. |
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| - | ===== Modus operandi ===== | |
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| - | L3DT is a general-purpose terrain generator that supports several modes of operation: | |
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| - | - **Automatic:** If you want to make maps automatically, you can set a few general parameters to describe the map you want, and then use the [[l3dt:userguide:ops:calcqueue|calculation queue wizard]] to finish your map for you. | |
| - | - **Manual:** You can manually [[bundywiki>plugins:sapphire:userguide:hf_edit|edit your map]] using brush tools, to get everything pixel-perfect. | |
| - | - **Design:** L3DT also allows you to design the terrain map using a high-level '[[l3dt:reference:maps:dm|design map]]', which sets out the general shape of the terrain and specifies the locations of various overlays like mountains, volcanos, etc. When L3DT generates the terrain, based on your design map, you get the features you want without having to build it all yourself. | |
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| - | The last mode is unique to L3DT, and allows users to design and generate maps with ease. For an example of this in operation, please consult the [[bundywiki>tutorials:l3dt:fjord|fjord tutorial]], in which a map is designed from scratch. | |
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| | ===== What does it do? ===== | | ===== What does it do? ===== |
| | * 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. | | * 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. |
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| - | ==== Generating textures, light maps, bump maps, etc. ==== | + | ==== Generating textures, light maps, bump maps, alpha/splat maps, etc. ==== |
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| | * 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 [[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'. |
| | * Automatic and manual [[l3dt:userguide:ops:wm|water-flooding]] routines, for making sea and lakes at different water levels. | | * 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]]. | | * 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]]. |
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| | + | ==== 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. |
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| | ==== Calculations and optimisations ==== | | ==== Calculations and optimisations ==== |
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| - | * Support for [[l3dt:userguide:multithreading|multi-core processing]]. | |
| - | * An [[l3dt:algorithms:mosaics|automatic disk paging]] system that supports heightfields up to 128k <html>×</html> 128k pixels in size (16 gigapixels) and textures up to 4M <html>×</html> 4M pixels (16 terapixels). //Want to make [[wp>MegaTexture|megatextures]]?// No problem! | |
| | * 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 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 <html>×</html> 128k pixels in size (16 gigapixels) and textures up to 4M <html>×</html> 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. | | * A [[l3dt:userguide:batch|batch generation engine]] for making multiple map projects automatically. |
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| | ==== File formats ==== | | ==== File formats ==== |
| | * Support for a [[l3dt:formats:support|broad range of 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. | | * Image formats, including BMP, JPG, PNG, TGA, DDS, PGM, PBM, PCX and RAW. |
| - | * Mesh files, including OBJ, X, B3D, 3DS and TIN -- //export only, using [[bundywiki>plugins:calc:atmeshdecimator|mesh decimator]]//. | + | * 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. | | * 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]]). | | * 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]]. | | * Support for more formats may be added by [[bundywiki>plugins|plugins]]. |
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| - | ==== 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. | |
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| | ==== Customisation ==== | | ==== Customisation ==== |
| | * A [[bundywiki>plugins:calc:ZeoGraph:userguide:window|graphical interface]] for performing custom calculations by connecting together multiple 'filters'. | | * A [[bundywiki>plugins:calc:ZeoGraph:userguide:window|graphical interface]] for performing custom calculations by connecting together multiple 'filters'. |
| - | * An extensive [[:zeolite|plugin API ('Zeolite')]] 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]]. | |
| | * Support for scripting using the Python and ZeoScript languages (via the [[bundywiki>plugins:general:cdPython|cdPython]] and [[bundywiki>plugins:general:ZeoScript|ZeoScript]] plugins). | | * 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]]. |
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| | ==== User support ==== | | ==== User support ==== |
| | * A comprehensive and up-to-date [[l3dt:userguide|user guide]] is available on-line. | | * 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]]. | | * Support and advice is available through the [[http://www.bundysoft.com/phpBB2/|community forum]]. |
| - | * A [[http://www.bundysoft.com/wiki/|users' wiki]] is provided, including spaces for user-submitted [[bundywiki>tutorials|tutorials]], [[bundywiki>climates|climates]], and other material. | + | * A [[bundywiki>start|users' wiki]] is provided, including spaces for user-submitted [[bundywiki>tutorials|tutorials]], [[bundywiki>climates|climates]], and other material. |
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| | <note important> | | <note important> |
