====== Importing a design map ====== L3DT can import the altitude layer of the design map from binary terrain formats or image files. For example, the design map for Japan (and selected parts of Korea and/or China and/or Russia) is shown below. This design map was imported from a [[http://www.vterrain.org|VTP]] [[http://www.vterrain.org/Implementation/Formats/BT.html|binary terrain file]] (.bt). {{ l3dt:userguide:io:import:dm:dm_japan.png }} To import a design map, select the '//File→Import→Design map...//' option from the menu. The first part of the import process is the same as for [[l3dt:userguide:io:import:hf|importing a heightfield]], so you are recommended to read that part of the user-guide before proceeding. After the file has been imported, you will be passed through to the //Import design map// wizard, shown below. {{ l3dt:userguide:wizards:importdm.png }} The options are as follows: ^ File->DM down-sampling | This option allows you to enter the down-sampling rate from the file to the design map. Typically, this is set to the same value as the 'DM->HF up-sampling' value (see below), as this means the final output heightfield will be the same size as the input file. However, if you want to make a heightfield larger than the input file, use a down-sample rate that is smaller than the up-sample rate. | ^ Specify DM size | These edit boxes allow you to specify an arbitrary width and height for the design map. This is similar to - but mutually exclusive with - the //File->DM sample rate// option. | ^ DM->HF up-sampling | This option sets the inflation factor to be used in the [[l3dt:algorithms:hf:design_inflate|design/inflate]] algorithm when generating the heightfield. Small values will give you a small heightfield for a given design map size, and large values will give you a large heightfield for a given design map size. The default value is 64. | ^ Split heightfield into tiles (mosaic map) | With this option enabled, any heightfield you generate from this design map will be saved as a dynamically cached [[l3dt:algorithms:mosaics|mosaic map]]. | After clicking on the //Next >>// wizard button, you will be asked to input some of the design map parameters such as climate and lake coverage (etc) via the [[l3dt:userguide:newmap:design_inflate#the_design_map_parameters_wizard_pane|design map parameters]] wizard pane.