PMC Terrain Builder Mini Tutorial
ArmA 3 Terrain Builder Mini Tutorial by PMC
Updated for arma3 v1.66 / terrain builder v1.31.0.139381
mapframes → add mapframe, click ok
type in project name to properties → name
type in project root dir to properties → output root folder. (this would be P:\prefix\tag_projectname)
click create subfolders button, click ok
copy your data ground texture rvmat's and paa's into <project>\data\ directory
copy your layers.cfg and maplegend.png files into <project>\source\ directory
set easting to 200000 and northing to 0
switch to samplers tab, setup properties according to your terrain (make sure texture layer is at least 2x your cell size)
switch to processing tab, use “…” button to browse into your source\layers.cfg file
click rebuild terrain button, click yes
click OK in bottom of mapframe properties dialog
save your project to Source\TerrainBuilder\ directory
file → import → terrains (xyz file)
file → import → satellite images (you can choose bmp or png)
file → import → satellite mask images (you can choose bmp or png)
layers manager do on all layers, click RMB → Terrain Coordinates & Properties, easting: 200000, northing: 0, also Size width/height
mapframes window → your project name → click RMB → properties (or double LMB click)
switch to processing tab, click rebuild terrain button, click yes
tick export satellite texture and surface mask (make sure 4 materials per cell is selected)
click generate layers button and wait until its done
click OK and save your project
convert layers\*.png to *.paa
Now your terrain is ready for viewing using terrain builder buldozer.
Object Placement
Adding P3D objects into a template
library manager → template libraries → RMB → create library
give it a name
tick create new library from directory
source directory point to → P:\a3\plants_f\Tree
click ok, all done
Single Object
create object template
select object from library manager → template libraries → whatever-template
click add object icon from main menu (icon: side ways box and plus sign)
LMB click anywhere on the map, object is placed
Forests
turn on view shapes icon in main menu
click layers manager → shapes tab
click add new layer button icon, give it some name
click add polygon icon from main menu (icon: box and plus sign)
now LMB click points to create a polygon, once youre done double LMB click to close the polygon
click layer manager → objects tab
click add new layer button icon, give it some name
unselect “add polygon” button
click to select any of your polygons in terrain, RMB → Fill (add new objects)
select objects (trees for a forest)
properties → preset name: add some name like forest 1 etc
other settings are up to you what you use, object density 60, click
click ok and objects are placed inside your selected polygon
Export / Import Objects
Export
file → export → objects
click document to export all objects in your project
click available templates select all button
use whatever format suits you, custom is compatible with the old arma2 formats
select destination file, click OK to export
Import
select which layer you want to import objects
file→ import → objects
select file to import with the “…” browse button on destination file
click OK to import