When trying to create a prototypical map with actual elevations for the landscape, I would like to show what I do for small areas. My latest map only has a hilly area in one corner so I didn't want to go through the DEM method.
First I create a guide with a topographic texture that shows the contour lines in the area I want to model. Using the smallest radius, I trace over the contour lines with "Topology F1", "use Height 'H' " to create a series of ridges. The top of each ridge is the elevation of the contour line it follows.
Then using two track guides for 12 tracks, I join them with invisible track. It doesn't have to be invisible but I use that to make it easier to see.
Since the insertion point of the track guides follow the local elevation of the baseboard, by placing one on different contour lines, the track that is stretched between them follows a smooth vertical curve. In the picture, the curve is very steep but if the two guides were farther apart, you would get a gently rolling landscape. The inevitable local dips and rises create a nice random effect.
Finally, I use "Track F4", advanced "Smooth spline 'S' " to bring the baseboard up under the track.
The only drawback is that this technique only affects a strip of land about 50m wide. For small areas this is not bad but quickly becomes tedious if you have a large area to sculpt.
First I create a guide with a topographic texture that shows the contour lines in the area I want to model. Using the smallest radius, I trace over the contour lines with "Topology F1", "use Height 'H' " to create a series of ridges. The top of each ridge is the elevation of the contour line it follows.
Then using two track guides for 12 tracks, I join them with invisible track. It doesn't have to be invisible but I use that to make it easier to see.
Since the insertion point of the track guides follow the local elevation of the baseboard, by placing one on different contour lines, the track that is stretched between them follows a smooth vertical curve. In the picture, the curve is very steep but if the two guides were farther apart, you would get a gently rolling landscape. The inevitable local dips and rises create a nice random effect.
Finally, I use "Track F4", advanced "Smooth spline 'S' " to bring the baseboard up under the track.
The only drawback is that this technique only affects a strip of land about 50m wide. For small areas this is not bad but quickly becomes tedious if you have a large area to sculpt.
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