Howto:Create custom terrain: Difference between revisions

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Updating & Extending the howto, more to come
m (Updating & Extending the howto, more to come)
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====== Enhancing the ground texture ======
{{WIP}}
 
===== A small picture is always better than a big topic =====


Look [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2147 here] an example of the achievable result.
Look [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=2147 here] an example of the achievable result.


=====  Why enhancing the ground texture ? =====
Let's take a look at the Finistère in Brittany, Western France: if you click [http://mapserver.flightgear.org/map/?lon=-4.41840585539649&lat=48.4484146908477&zoom=11&layers=0B000000FTTFFFFFTFT|here], you will quickly see and understand how the Finistère county is know of [[FlightGear]]. Some towns/city (red), a few forests (green), etc. Overall, it is not a very good resolution: a lot of angles, the detail level is not that good, some towns are missing. If you want a better definition on ground, there is some work to be done! The goal being to obtain something like this:
 
Let's take a look at the Finistère in Brittany, Western France : if you click [http://mapserver.flightgear.org/map/?lon=-4.41840585539649&lat=48.4484146908477&zoom=11&layers=0B000000FTTFFFFFTFT|here], you will quickly see and understand how the Finistère county is know of FlightGear. Some towns/city (red), a few forests (green), etc. Overall, it is not a very good resolution : a lot of angles, the detail level is not that good, some towns are missing. If you want a better definition on ground, there is some work to be done ! The goal being to obtain something like this :


#[http://mapserver.flightgear.org/map/?lon=13.40385&lat=52.50199&zoom=11&layers=000000BFFFFFFFFFTFFF Berlin]
#[http://mapserver.flightgear.org/map/?lon=13.40385&lat=52.50199&zoom=11&layers=000000BFFFFFFFFFTFFF Berlin]
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#[http://mapserver.flightgear.org/map/?lon=-62.87648&lat=17.69865&zoom=10&layers=000000BFFFFFFFFFTFFF Carribs]
#[http://mapserver.flightgear.org/map/?lon=-62.87648&lat=17.69865&zoom=10&layers=000000BFFFFFFFFFTFFF Carribs]


You will immediately notice the improvement to the ground. When flying, the difference is huge. Moreover, this enables the autogeneration of cities, trees, and so on.
You will immediately notice the improvement to the ground. When flying, the difference is huge. Moreover, this enables the autogeneration of cities, trees, farmland, and so on.
 
===== Downloading the Landsat pictures =====


=== Downloading the Landsat pictures ===
[[File:C31e36f2a2cbb278a1603dfe2ba91193.media.395x288.png|thumb|200px|Landsat Map Search]]
[[File:1c9334d970963364b5ce1bc3a166a4fa.media.426x192.png|thumb|200px|Preview and download Landsat image]]
Browse to [http://glcfapp.umiacs.umd.edu:8080/esdi/index.jsp the Earth Science Data Interface interface] to grab your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landsat Landsat] data.
Browse to [http://glcfapp.umiacs.umd.edu:8080/esdi/index.jsp the Earth Science Data Interface interface] to grab your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Landsat Landsat] data.


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# Click on the ''Place''tab on the upper side of the map, in order to do a search by place, or you can do a search by latitude/longitude.
# Click on the ''Place''tab on the upper side of the map, in order to do a search by place, or you can do a search by latitude/longitude.
# In the Place field, type ''Brest, France'' for instance.
# In the Place field, type ''Brest, France'' for instance.
# You'll get the following :
# Check that you have ''2 images in selection'' for example : this confirms that your selection is good. For Brest, there are two Landsat pictures to cover the area.
 
# Click on ''Preview and download''. You will get the screen shown on the right. On the left you can check the picture you are going to download. The size of the pictures is also given.
[[File:C31e36f2a2cbb278a1603dfe2ba91193.media.395x288.png|center]]
# Click on ''Download'' to get a FTP access.
 
# Only the files with a ''.tif.gz'' and ''.met'' extensions are of interest.
#Check that you have ''2 images in selection'' for example : this confirms that your selection is good. For Brest, there are two Landsat pictures to cover the area.
# Uncompress the ''.tif.gz'' files in the directory of your choice.
#Click on ''Preview and download''. You will get the following screen. On the left you can check the picture you are going to download. The size of the pictures is also given.
 
[[File:1c9334d970963364b5ce1bc3a166a4fa.media.426x192.png|center]]
 
#Click on ''Download'' to get a FTP access.
#Only the files with a ''.tif.gz'' and ''.met'' extensions are of interest.
#Uncompress the ''.tif.gz'' files in the directory of your choice.
 
===== Working with QGIS =====
 
Using a GIS software gives you the opportunity to realize a full range of interesting operations : modification of VMAP data, updates on the ground classification, etc...
 
#This process is made under GNU/Linux. If this is the case, you can install QGis with your usual package repositery manager : see [http://download.qgis.org/downloads.rhtml here]. The process is easy and not described here, but it is one the QGIS website.
#If you are running Windows, you can use[http://dnr.wi.gov/forestry/GIS/Applications/FGIS/ FGIS], the process is very close. And QGIS works under Windows by now as well.
#Launch QGis.
 
[[File:Capture.png|thumb|center]]
 
#Click on Layer -> Add a Raster layer.
 
[[File:Capture-2.png|thumb|center]]
 
#Modify the filter to search for *.tif files
 
[[File:Capture-3.png|thumb|center]]
 
#Add the TIFF file you have just downloaded.
 
[[File:Capture-4.png|thumb|center]]
 
#Click on Layer -> Aadd a new vector layer or on the corresponding icon.


[[File:Capture-5.png|thumb|center]]
=== Working with QGIS ===
[[File:Capture-4.png|thumb|200px|QGIS with the TIFF image.]]
[[File:Capture-7.png|thumb|200px|Creating the class column.]]
Using a GIS software gives you the opportunity to realize a full range of interesting operations: modification of VMAP data, updates on the ground classification, etc...


[[File:Capture-6.png|thumb|center]]
* If you run GNU/Linux, you can install QGIS with your usual package repositery manager; see [http://www.qgis.org/en/download/binaries.html here]. The process is easy and not described here, but it is one the QGIS website.
* If you are running Windows, download QGIS from [http://www.qgis.org/en/download/binaries.html here] (Windows - Standalone).


[[File:Capture-7.png|thumb|center]]
# Launch QGIS.
# Click on <tt>Layer > Add a Raster layer</tt>.
# Modify the filter to search for *.tif files.
# Add the TIFF file you have just downloaded.
# Click on <tt>Layer > Add a new vector layer</tt> or on the corresponding icon. A dialog should pop up.
#* Make sure the file type is an ESRI Shapefile.
#* Make sure the vector type is set to polygon.
#* You need to create a data column for this layer. Create a column called 'class'. Make sure it is a string column. Add it to the attribute list by selecting the Add Values Manually button. The 'OK' button should now be available for you to select. Select 'OK'.
#* There should be a dialog box prompting you to save your vector layer. Save it in your scenery directory with your GeoTIFF. (This is not required but significantly helps organization.)
#* A projection box should pop up. Select 'WGS 1984'. After all, that is the globe model used in FlightGear.
# Your vector layer should appear in the left-hand toolbar. You are ready to begin digitizing.


[[File:Capture-8.png|thumb|center]]
[[File:Capture-8.png|thumb|center]]
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[[File:Capture-17.png|thumb|center]]
[[File:Capture-17.png|thumb|center]]


===== Useful links =====
== External links ==
* [http://www.custom-scenery.org Terragear-cs website]
* [http://wiki.qgis.org QGIS Wiki]
* [http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=5 Dedicated FlightGear forums for scenery enhancement]
* [http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/LandcoverDB_CS_Detail OSGEO Wiki]


#[http://www.custom-scenery.org Terragear-cs website]
[[Category:Howto|Using QGIS and satellite pictures]]
#[http://wiki.qgis.org QGIS Wiki]
[[Category:Scenery enhancement|Using QGIS and satellite pictures]]
#[http://www.flightgear.org/forums/viewforum.php?f=5 Dedicated FlightGear forums for scenery enhancement]
#[http://wiki.osgeo.org/wiki/LandcoverDB_CS_Detail OSGEO Wiki]


[[fr:Howto: Utilisé QGIS et images satellites]]
[[fr:Howto: Utilisé QGIS et images satellites]]

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