» Thu Jul 07, 2011 4:05 pm I've posted the content that I have in case it rings a bell with any of you. If you've seen it, know where to find it, or even have a copy of it you can send my way, please let me know!
Note the list of Citations & References in Contents-8 before posting any links to tutorials you may know of; I say this to save you time as I have read these extensively already (and still floundering :facepalm:). If you do know of some useful tutorials on building real-worldspaces in TES4 that are not this one or not referenced below, feel free to post them, and I will avidly devour all the information they provide!!
Thanks!!!!
-RMWChaos
TES4 TUTORIAL: CREATING REAL-WORLDSPACES
I. CONTENTS
II. INTRODUCTION
This tutorial is aimed at providing TES modders interested in creating custom real-worldspaces (worldspaces based on real-world locations) a step-by-step process for acquiring all the resources and tools (all 100% FREE!) and using them to create custom TES4 real-worldspaces for Oblivion or Fallout3. These worldspaces can then be used to either replace or add onto the TES4 worldspace. Similar steps can be used to create real-worldspaces for TES3 (Morrowind) with some adjustments to scaling.
I wrote this tutorial mostly for myself as I was finding it very confusing and frustrating trying to track down and follow all of the various tutorials and advice from multiple locations often aimed at creating custom maps for other games. In writing this, not only did I improve my understanding of the custom worldspace creation, but I found that I had a useful step-by-step tutorial for the process that I could share with others. Beginning modders will likely gain the most knowledge and understanding from this tutorial, but Experienced modders may find it useful as well.
III. REQUIRED TOOLS
Unfortunately, there is no single tool capable of accomplishing all the tasks necessary to collect real-world topography data and convert it into a usable worldspace for TES4.
1. Google Earth (http://earth.google.com)
Google Earth provides a satellite-imaged view of the Earth, allowing users to locate and focus in on parts of the globe that can then be used to create worldspaces. On its own, Google Earth will only provide images of the Earth's surface. Combined with the STRM Overlay, however, Google Earth can provide much more detailed topographic data that can be used to produce heightmaps.
To install Google Earth, go to the URL provided and click the link to Download Google Earth 5 (at the time of this writing). Run the GoogleEarthSetup.exe file to install.
2. STRM Overlay for Google Earth (http://www.ambiotek.com/topoview)
The STRM Overlay for Google Earth provided the ability to access topographic data linked to Google Earth necessary to produce heightmaps.
To install the SRTM Overlay, go to the URL provided and click the option to 'open' the srtm4.kmz (as of this writing). Google Earth will launch automatically and display two logos in the viewing area: CGIAR-CSI and King's College London. Additionally, under the Places menu on the left-hand side you will see SRTM4.1 and its submenus under Temporary Places.
I recommend dragging and dropping SRTM4.1 to your My Places folder. You can remove the two logos by unchecking logo and logo2 under the SRTM4.1 menu then click FILE-->SAVE-->SAVE MY PLACES to store your state information.
3. MicroDEM (http://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pguth/microdem.exe)
MicroDEM provides tools for viewing, manipulating, and exporting SRTM DEM data (topographic data) in formats that other programs can work with to make further changes.
Download the latest version of MicroDem from the URL provided and run the executable to install.
4. GDAL (http://www.gdal.org)
5. GIMP (http://www.gimp.org)
IV. Acquiring Real-World Map Data
Some parts of the heightmap rendering process can be very resource intensive; so I would not recommend attempting this process on an older PC.
I. CONTENTS
- Introduction
- Required Tools
- Google Earth
- STRM Overlay
- MicroDEM
- GIMP
- FWTools
- TESAnnwynn
- TES Construction Set
- Google Earth
- Acquiring Real-World Map Data
- Topographical Map (Google Earth)
- Vertex Color Map (GIMP)
- Texture Data (TES CS)
- Topographical Map (Google Earth)
- Creating a Heightmap (MicroDEM)
- Accessing DEM files
- Thinning DEM files
- Merging DEM files
- Editing DEM files
- Rough Cropping
- Greyscale or RAW?
- Resizing
- Exporting
- Rough Cropping
- Exporting / Saving Map
- Fine Cropping and Resizing (GIMP)
- Converting to RAW (FWTools)
- Accessing DEM files
- Creating a Vertex Color Map
- Import Map to TES4 (TESAnnwyn)
- Activating the New World Space (TES CS)
- Citations & References
- TES Construction Set Wiki
- TES4:Oblivion Wiki
- TESAnnwyn
- Creating Superb Heightmaps
- Creating Superb Heightmaps (updated)
- Google Earth
- STRM Overlay
- MicroDEM
- GIMP
- FWTools
- TES Construction Set Wiki
II. INTRODUCTION
This tutorial is aimed at providing TES modders interested in creating custom real-worldspaces (worldspaces based on real-world locations) a step-by-step process for acquiring all the resources and tools (all 100% FREE!) and using them to create custom TES4 real-worldspaces for Oblivion or Fallout3. These worldspaces can then be used to either replace or add onto the TES4 worldspace. Similar steps can be used to create real-worldspaces for TES3 (Morrowind) with some adjustments to scaling.
I wrote this tutorial mostly for myself as I was finding it very confusing and frustrating trying to track down and follow all of the various tutorials and advice from multiple locations often aimed at creating custom maps for other games. In writing this, not only did I improve my understanding of the custom worldspace creation, but I found that I had a useful step-by-step tutorial for the process that I could share with others. Beginning modders will likely gain the most knowledge and understanding from this tutorial, but Experienced modders may find it useful as well.
III. REQUIRED TOOLS
Unfortunately, there is no single tool capable of accomplishing all the tasks necessary to collect real-world topography data and convert it into a usable worldspace for TES4.
1. Google Earth (http://earth.google.com)
Google Earth provides a satellite-imaged view of the Earth, allowing users to locate and focus in on parts of the globe that can then be used to create worldspaces. On its own, Google Earth will only provide images of the Earth's surface. Combined with the STRM Overlay, however, Google Earth can provide much more detailed topographic data that can be used to produce heightmaps.
To install Google Earth, go to the URL provided and click the link to Download Google Earth 5 (at the time of this writing). Run the GoogleEarthSetup.exe file to install.
2. STRM Overlay for Google Earth (http://www.ambiotek.com/topoview)
The STRM Overlay for Google Earth provided the ability to access topographic data linked to Google Earth necessary to produce heightmaps.
To install the SRTM Overlay, go to the URL provided and click the option to 'open' the srtm4.kmz (as of this writing). Google Earth will launch automatically and display two logos in the viewing area: CGIAR-CSI and King's College London. Additionally, under the Places menu on the left-hand side you will see SRTM4.1 and its submenus under Temporary Places.
I recommend dragging and dropping SRTM4.1 to your My Places folder. You can remove the two logos by unchecking logo and logo2 under the SRTM4.1 menu then click FILE-->SAVE-->SAVE MY PLACES to store your state information.
3. MicroDEM (http://www.usna.edu/Users/oceano/pguth/microdem.exe)
MicroDEM provides tools for viewing, manipulating, and exporting SRTM DEM data (topographic data) in formats that other programs can work with to make further changes.
Download the latest version of MicroDem from the URL provided and run the executable to install.
4. GDAL (http://www.gdal.org)
5. GIMP (http://www.gimp.org)
IV. Acquiring Real-World Map Data
Some parts of the heightmap rendering process can be very resource intensive; so I would not recommend attempting this process on an older PC.
