Would it be possible to create a Terrain Mesh Mod

[BlackSharkAce]

Hi,

 

Just wondering what it would take to create an improved mesh for the existing map.

 

Anyone knows what files are used to create the terrain mesh and how one could alter them ?

 

I feel like improved terrain mesh brings such a tremendous improvement on maps in other sims like X-Plane or FSX.. why not try to come up with something similar for DCS ?

 

Cheers !

[theropod]

Hi,

 

Just wondering what it would take to create an improved mesh for the existing map.

 

Anyone knows what files are used to create the terrain mesh and how one could alter them ?

 

I feel like improved terrain mesh brings such a tremendous improvement on maps in other sims like X-Plane or FSX.. why not try to come up with something similar for DCS ?

 

Cheers !

 

İ always wonder about this too if it is possible to change by modders or thirdparty developpers.

[Aginor]

I am pretty sure it doesn't work right now.

But as soon as 2.0 is out we might be lucky. But only registered 3rd party developers will get the tools. (which sucks of course. With all due respect, but IMO this is one of the worst ideas ED ever had. But that's life. Might have to become a third party....)

 

As for tools:

A GIS and a normal 3D program should do, I know ED uses 3DsMax for a lot of stuff. And of course the ED tools.

 

The workflow to get a real terrain into the engine will be something like this I guess (I have done a few steps myself already, but without tools to get that stuff in-engine I am pretty much stuck, since I have no idea what I would have to do to become a 3rd party and get the tools (and what it would cost):

 

- Get a DEM (digital elevation model) from USGS or so.

- import it into a GIS system (like QGIS)

- do something with it, most likely converting the information into something a 3D program understands. I used Autodesk DXF format. For many game engines you need a equally spaced vector points grid or contour lines.

- you might want to manipulate it further in MeshLab or something. DEMs often have holes in them for example. You have to fill them with interpolated data. Not a big deal, most of that works automatically.

- import it into your 3D program. I have done it in Blender since I don't have 3dsmax, but I completely forgot how to use Blender. (haven't used it in... like, ten years or so. So this is where I am stuck with my little test map.)

- Next you would do stuff with it, like smoothing and so on. Apply textures and UV or whatever else you need.

- use the ED tools (which we don't have and most likely won't get) to create air fields, place buildings, radio beacons and all that stuff

- use ED tools to import into DCSW

- change some lua tables, perhaps similar to what you do to create a flyable aircraft. So the sim knows about your terrain and can load it.

Edited August 9, 2015 by Aginor

[archer86]

Current terrain mesh looks low resolution which is like fsx or xplane default.

[Aginor]

Nope, much better actually. Stock FSX uses very bad terrain. It just disguises it well.

[Stratos]

I'm sure many here will pay good money for a Afghanistan map, and If a version for the soviet was is included, many more customers will be happy.

[Fri13]

It is sad that the map creation is behind so many hoops that many of them is almost impossible for everyone else than very dedicated developer.

 

Would be nice to actually have something like 20+ different kind maps that are from size 100x100km even if just split from random terrain generation applications and little custom touching by adding few airports and then "painted" some random looking towns, cities, roads etc.

 

Or maybe just ED should have bought C3 from Saab instead Apple ;-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u-pxVjsRrB8

 

 

But hey, someone can always just a dream... after all, it is free!

[NRG-Vampire]

İ always wonder about this too if it is possible to change by modders or thirdparty developpers.

 

not only change

not only mods

[Stratos]

Vampire is that a new terrain WIP?

[NRG-Vampire]

afaik, there are dozens of new terrain/maps under development

[theropod]

:shocking: that is what we want, it is good to know those kind of WİP's

[NRG-Vampire]

:shocking: that is what we want, it is good to know those kind of WİP's

 

you will be happy - Turkey is included in those dozens

[Stratos]

you will be happy - Turkey is included in those dozens

 

First time I hear about such projects, hope they succes and specially high hopes there is a Afghanistan map included.

[Slipp]

Who is making them?

 

Devs or some modders that will keep them private for all eternity? :)

[Aginor]

Same question as Slipp.

[Silver_Dragon]

Where is that pic NRG-Vampire? leak of new terrain/map?

Edited August 11, 2015 by Silver_Dragon

[NRG-Vampire]

Who is making them?

 

Devs or some modders that will keep them private for all eternity? :)

 

devs or some modders ? that does not matter

i think you won't be surprised if AVIA will keep their maps (Ethiopia, Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Alabama, Corsica etc.) private for all "eternity" - what is 5-6 contractual years imho

and after that?

who knows?

i don't think many people would want to pay ($ 500-1000 per piece) for those maps

you know, if the flight model of Bf-109K has cost about 120K USD, then those maps cost about 500K+ USD

an average 3d modeller salary 20-30 USD/hour, a good DCS modeller/map maker salary is 2-3 times higher imho, because of the deeper and/or wider knowledge

 

Where is that pic NRG-Vampire? leak of new terrain/map?

yes, something like that

Edited August 11, 2015 by NRG-Vampire

[Slipp]

What does AVIA have to do with the map that was shown on the previous page?

 

I asked a simple question.

 

Will general public be able to buy these maps?

[Silver_Dragon]

remember, AVIA and other professional teathers never coming to DCS: W or represent none future project on them. If you put a pic about them, only has put smoke, and none realistic to DCS: W.

 

If has a ED, 3rd party project, expected that pic has "authorization" to show here.....

[NRG-Vampire]

I asked a simple question.

 

Will general public be able to buy these maps?

 

yes, definitely

when: :dunno:

 

 

remember, AVIA and other professional teathers never coming to DCS: W or represent none future project on them

 

i don't understand why do you think those maps (what AVIA use for their simulators) will never come to DCSW

if they allow, (or their contract) you will see those maps in your DCSW, on your PC

it can change in the future. that's their decision

 

What do WE have to do with the map that was shown on the previous page?

 

sit and wait, what is true for NTTR, SOH and other future maps as well, sorry

[NineLine]

Unless it comes from an ED team member, or official 3rd Party, its all dreams and fantasy ;)

[Slipp]

yes, definitely

when: :dunno:

 

Thank you for the answer.

 

I wish you good luck with your projects.

[Silver_Dragon]

i don't understand why do you think those maps (what AVIA use for their simulators) will never come to DCSW

if they allow, (or their contract) you will see those maps in your DCSW, on your PC

it can change in the future. that's their decision

 

As Skatezilla telling some time ago....

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1928022&postcount=3279

None of the Content in those videos is representative of upcoming Modules or 3rd Party Modules.

 

They Are Simply Earlier Versions of EDGE running on Different Simulation platforms being used by other companies for training.

 

So dont go Posting DCS:KA-52, DCS:AV-8x, DCS: Whatever.

 

These maps are Commercial Property belonging to other Companies.

[NRG-Vampire]

As Skatezilla telling some time ago....

http://forums.eagle.ru/showpost.php?p=1928022&postcount=3279

 

yeah, Skate was right: "These maps are Commercial Property belonging to other Companies"

and that's what I'm talking about

AVIA owns/ordered those maps (for the engine as DCSW/EDGE), made by Smartgraf/AltWolf/Dmitry Robustov - the same team who are making NTTR and SOH maps

I wish you good luck with your projects.

 

not my project, I was just lucky to see some screenshots

that screenshot is already quite old: 2 months old iirc

[Silver_Dragon]

yeah, Skate was right: "These maps are Commercial Property belonging to other Companies"

and that's what I'm talking about

 

AVIA owns/ordered those maps (for the engine as DCSW/EDGE), made by Smartgraf/AltWolf/Dmitry Robustov - the same team who are making NTTR and SOH maps

 

And? Sorry NRG-Vampire, but I think you has missing the point, but that no prove nothing. If the "minsk team" aka Smartgraf/AltWolf/Dmitry Robustov, etc or other name, has write a license agreement with AVIA and others professional / military costumers to making maps and teathers for training, that no has a "claim" to any of them comming to the entertainment market into DCS: W. Surely on the agreement of ED / Commercial division name X with that Commercial companies deny all use to a entertainment product, and if that change, can require a rework / renegotiation of the agreement and / or use terms.

 

Wags tell the same of talk Skatezilla some time ago, with the appears of AVIA and others videos and pics, nothing Commercial product coming to DCS W or represent future modules or theatres coming to DCS: W. That videos or pics only show the commercial / military market.

 

Actually, the only official theatres under develop on DCS: W by ED has NTTR, Hormuz and North France (old Normandy), the only detail about "future" roadmap has a "Hope to" about a plan to expand NTTR, rework caucasus map or a expansion of Hormuz. BST has not say nothing about Theater projects, and the 3rd parties only has get some plans and nothing pics.

Edited August 11, 2015 by Silver_Dragon