0

First night at taking a look at different ways to create Terrain.

I'm wanting to work on a racing project and was wondering if there was a way to create a 3D race track some how.

We plan on using C++, and are also using PhysX and openGL. Where should I be looking for creating Terrain? Also, does anyone know of some good Tutorials/Tips that can help me :)

Thanks

kennytm
  • 510,854
  • 105
  • 1,084
  • 1,005
EvenOdd
  • 9
  • 4
  • Which graphics library are you using? Normally you generate a mesh with different levels-of-detail out of a height map. I don't mean to be rude or a downer, but from the sounds of it you've never made a game before. If that's the case, you're already in over your head; you should start with something simpler like Pong, and work your way up. Game programming is not trivial. – GManNickG Jan 23 '10 at 05:14
  • Then a common way is to use height-maps and generate a mesh, like I said. Google will provide more info than I could. – GManNickG Jan 23 '10 at 05:27
  • No problem. If you ever hit a snag come back and we'll help with that specific problem. – GManNickG Jan 23 '10 at 05:33

3 Answers3

2

The most basic way to make terrain is by using a height-map, and generating a mesh out of it. Google will have more information than I can give you.

By the way, avoid going to Lighthouse3D right now; it's been hacked and crashes your browser. Here's a cached version that may be helpful.

GManNickG
  • 494,350
  • 52
  • 494
  • 543
1

Great tutorial for creating tarrain here:

http://www.toymaker.info/Games/html/terrain.html

It's DirectX specific but has enough general information to help you understand the theory.

The site also has other details on game making and is written by a British Games Programming lecturer - well worth checking out.

Martin
  • 39,569
  • 20
  • 99
  • 130
1

IMHO, you should create the appropriate meshes with blender (or another 3D modeling tool), which you will then import within your game. Using height maps is nice and all, but I think it's totally inappropriate for the kind of game you are interested in doing.

By using Blender/etc, you will also be able to add extra objects to your map like gates/checkpoints really easily and precisely.

Shautieh
  • 746
  • 10
  • 17