Terrain editor feature suggestions, Suggest any features you like Options

[Snake Man]

Terrain Editor Suggestions

I'm putting together a list of terrain editor features, such as:

- 3D view with objects.
- 3D view with real time editing (paint textures into 3D terrain directly etc).
- Better handle of selecting zones something like a lasso tool.
- Better object replace function.
- Export elevations, objects (x,y,z etc) information into text file.
- Export PNG (grayscale 16bit for height and then PNG 24bit full colour).
- Export unique objects list.
- Full screen mode for experts (using only mouse and hotkeys).
- Import ESRI Shape files.
- Import various terrain formats (DEM, OFP, ArmA, Wilbur, greyscale, etc).
- Import vegetation from USGS LULC (land use / land cover) files.
- Map grid as UTM and as normal OFP/ArmA default grid style.
- Object 3D preview list (view object before you place it).
- Object brushes with altitude & slope logic.
- Object brushes with custom random placements.
- Object placer, to place for example fences automatically etc.
- Object prefabs, build and save them for later use, never discard your work!
- Obtain distance, measure horizontal distance and offset between any two points.
- Project file of terrain to include elevations, textures, objects, names, etc.
- Random object placement (whole map, selected region only, max min distance etc).
- Region tool for selecting specific areas of the map.
- Road building like in wrpedit placing roads with arrow keys.
- Road display, color and shape, user configurable.
- Terrain editing blur option.
- Terrain erosion tool.
- Terrain vertices control with fine detail.
- Terrain vertices editing brushes.

Please post suggestions of features that you think would make terrain editing more enjoyable. I'll update this first post as necessary.

This post has been edited by Snake Man: Apr 9 2009, 08:44

[Bastian]

I'm looking forward to it. Will it be similar to WRP Edit tool by chance? That's one thing I was addicted to in OFP!

[Snake Man]

You are looking forward to what?

What is "WRP Edit tool"? WRPEdit perhaps?

First post updated with the latest suggestions, keep them coming please.

[Old Bear]

I will suggest an automated saving files option and a working "undo" in menu.

But, if I can ask a question about all this ... well, do you intend to build a new set of tools for Map makers or it's just a "brain tank"/"lobbying" project ?

[Snake Man]

I will suggest an automated saving files option

Like auto-save every 5 mins or?

well, do you intend to build a new set of tools for Map makers or it's just a "brain tank"/"lobbying" project ?

Well technically I have had ArmATool coded in my hard drive for ages now, of course its not even close to feature list what we see here but it was used to help develop the ACEIP and so on. So yes I would very much like to build a tool with features such as suggested above, but unfortunately I don't have to coding skills myself at this time. Of course I didn't have much coding skills when we made WrpTool and that turned out pretty good.

What future holds for this topic is anyone's guess, personally I would very much like to see decent terrain editor for ArmA and ArmA 2. The way I see it, at least I'm doing something for it, not just sitting in my hands waiting for someone else to do it.