Micro Exporter - Revision history

Redmaw: Updated descriptions based on TG 4.7 release features.

2023-11-16T23:18:53Z

Updated descriptions based on TG 4.7 release features.

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:18, 16 November 2023
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	== Overview ==		== Overview ==
	The Micro exporter feature is only available in the Professional version of Terragen. It allows you to export procedural terrains as geometry, including displacement and overhangs. Exporting a terrain as a heightfield would not allow this. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, FBX, OBJ and Lightwave LW02 formats.		The Micro exporter feature is only available in the Professional version of Terragen. It allows you to export procedural terrains as geometry, including displacement and overhangs. Exporting a terrain as a heightfield would not allow this. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, FBX, OBJ and Lightwave LW02 formats.

			Beginning with Terragen 4.7.15 the Micro exporter will take advantage of multi-threaded renders and produces cleaner geometry and smaller files, by merging duplicate vertices, normals, UVWs and faces.

	[[File:03_MicroExport_RenderVsGeometry.jpg\|none \| 800px \| Mesh generated by Micro exporter from procedural terrain.]]		[[File:03_MicroExport_RenderVsGeometry.jpg\|none \| 800px \| Mesh generated by Micro exporter from procedural terrain.]]


	The Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a Render node to export the micropolygons generated during a render as geometry. For this reason the Render node’s ~~Detail~~ setting controls the size of the polygons generated. Lower values generate a coarser mesh, and as polygons get further away from the camera they also get larger.		The Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a Render node to export the micropolygons generated during a render as geometry. For this reason the Render node’s Micropoly detail setting controls the size of the polygons generated. Lower values generate a coarser mesh, and as polygons get further away from the camera they also get larger. <br>
			You can control the level of detail in the exported geometry by understanding the relationship between the image resolution and the “Micropoly detail” setting. For example, a mesh generated with the Renderer’s “Image width” and “Image height” values equal to “1024” and the “Micropoly detail” value at “1.0” would be practically identical to a mesh generated with the “Image width” and “Image height” values at “2048” and the “Micropoly detail” value at “0.5”, as would a mesh generated with the “Image width” and “Image height” values at “512” and the “Micropoly detail” value at “2.0”.

	[[File:04_MicroExport_MeshDetailComparision_0001.jpg\|none \| 800px \| Comparison of the geometry exported from the procedural terrain at different Detail values.]]		[[File:04_MicroExport_MeshDetailComparision_0001.jpg\|none \| 800px \| Comparison of the geometry exported from the procedural terrain at different Detail values.]]
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	[[File:05_MicroExport_FarDistanceComparision_0001.jpg\|none \| 800px\|The Near and Far distance parameters can limit the area of the terrain to export. ]]		[[File:05_MicroExport_FarDistanceComparision_0001.jpg\|none \| 800px\|The Near and Far distance parameters can limit the area of the terrain to export. ]]


			The Micro exporter works only when using the Renderer’s “Render To Disk”, “Render Sequence” or command line rendering. It does not work when using “Render Image”.

			Information about the kinds of data to be output by “Render To Disk” is shown to the right of the button, such as “Images”, “Micro export” or “Images + micro export”. To export only geometry, uncheck the checkbox to the left of the “Output image file” setting. This will disable image output by the renderer.

Redmaw: Updated descriptions, added images, and conformed page to new layout.

2023-05-04T02:44:15Z

Updated descriptions, added images, and conformed page to new layout.

Show changes

87.154.138.250 at 16:15, 16 September 2016

2016-09-16T16:15:27Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:15, 16 September 2016
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	'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />		'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />
	The Micro exporter can be used to export terrain geometry. The Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. Exporting terrain as a heightfield would not allow this. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, FBX, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.		The Micro exporter, available only in the Professional Version of Terragen, can be used to export terrain geometry. The Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. Exporting terrain as a heightfield would not allow this. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, FBX, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.

	Primarily the Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a [[Render]] node to export geometry generated during a render. The [[Camera]] used for rendering partly defines the area of the terrain that will be exported. You can also use the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area of terrain exported. Only geometry within the view of the camera is exported. Backfacing polygons, which are those facing away from the camera, are also exported.		Primarily the Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a [[Render]] node to export geometry generated during a render. The [[Camera]] used for rendering partly defines the area of the terrain that will be exported. You can also use the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area of terrain exported. Only geometry within the view of the camera is exported. Backfacing polygons, which are those facing away from the camera, are also exported.

Matt: Added note about filename

2014-08-10T05:35:13Z

Added note about filename

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:35, 10 August 2014
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	# Choose "Micro exporter" from the submenu.		# Choose "Micro exporter" from the submenu.

	To set the ~~output file~~ or change any other parameters of the micro exporter:		Note that the [[LWO Micro Exporter\|Lwo micro exporter]] which is also available in the "Create new micro handler" submenu is an older node which remains for compatibility reasons and is deprecated. You can export LWO files from the Micro exporter and should use it instead.

			It's important to set the '''Filename''' in the Micro exporter's parameter view. To set the filename or change any other parameters of the micro exporter:
	# Click the Assign button (green plus icon) to the right of the '''Micro exporter''' parameter.		# Click the Assign button (green plus icon) to the right of the '''Micro exporter''' parameter.
	# Choose "Go to Micro exporter 01" from the popup menu. (The exact name might be different in your project.)		# Choose "Go to Micro exporter 01" from the popup menu. (The exact name might be different in your project.)

	Note that the [[LWO Micro Exporter\|Lwo micro exporter]] which is also available in the "Create new micro handler" submenu is an older node which remains for compatibility reasons and is deprecated. You can export LWO files from the Micro exporter and should use it instead.

Matt: edited micro exporter instructions

2014-08-10T05:30:44Z

edited micro exporter instructions

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:30, 10 August 2014
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	The easiest way to create a Micro exporter is to use a Render node. Follow these steps:		The easiest way to create a Micro exporter is to use a Render node. Follow these steps:
	# Go to the Sequence/Output tab of the Render node.		# Go to the Sequence/Output tab of the Render node.
			# Check the '''Micro exporter''' checkbox.
	# Click the Assign button (green plus icon) to the right of the '''Micro exporter''' parameter.		# Click the Assign button (green plus icon) to the right of the '''Micro exporter''' parameter.
	# Choose "Create new micro handler" from the menu which pops up.		# Choose "Create new micro handler" from the menu which pops up.
	# Choose "Micro exporter" from the submenu.		# Choose "Micro exporter" from the submenu.

	~~You will also need~~ to ~~check~~ the '''Micro exporter''' ~~checkbox~~ to ~~have~~ the ~~geometry exported during rendering~~.		To set the output file or change any other parameters of the micro exporter:
			# Click the Assign button (green plus icon) to the right of the '''Micro exporter''' parameter.
			# Choose "Go to Micro exporter 01" from the popup menu. (The exact name might be different in your project.)

	Note that the [[LWO Micro Exporter\|Lwo micro exporter]] which is also available in the "Create new micro handler" submenu is an older node which remains for compatibility reasons and is deprecated. You can export LWO files from the Micro exporter and should use it instead.		Note that the [[LWO Micro Exporter\|Lwo micro exporter]] which is also available in the "Create new micro handler" submenu is an older node which remains for compatibility reasons and is deprecated. You can export LWO files from the Micro exporter and should use it instead.

Jo at 10:32, 2 December 2012

2012-12-02T10:32:32Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 10:32, 2 December 2012
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	'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />		'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />
	The Micro exporter can be used to export terrain geometry. The Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. Exporting terrain as a heightfield would not allow this. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.		The Micro exporter can be used to export terrain geometry. The Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. Exporting terrain as a heightfield would not allow this. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, FBX, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.

	Primarily the Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a [[Render]] node to export geometry generated during a render. The [[Camera]] used for rendering partly defines the area of the terrain that will be exported. You can also use the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area of terrain exported. Only geometry within the view of the camera is exported. Backfacing polygons, which are those facing away from the camera, are also exported.		Primarily the Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a [[Render]] node to export geometry generated during a render. The [[Camera]] used for rendering partly defines the area of the terrain that will be exported. You can also use the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area of terrain exported. Only geometry within the view of the camera is exported. Backfacing polygons, which are those facing away from the camera, are also exported.
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	<li>		<li>
	".tgo" for Terragen TGO format		".tgo" for Terragen TGO format
			</li><li>
			".fbx" for FBX format
	</li><li>		</li><li>
	".obj" for OBJ format		".obj" for OBJ format

Jo at 09:05, 24 October 2012

2012-10-24T09:05:43Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:05, 24 October 2012
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	'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />		'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />
	The Micro exporter can be used to export terrain geometry. The Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. Exporting terrain as heightfield would not allow this. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.		The Micro exporter can be used to export terrain geometry. The Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. Exporting terrain as a heightfield would not allow this. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.

	Primarily the Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a [[Render]] node to export geometry generated during a render. The [[Camera]] used for rendering partly defines the area of the terrain that will be exported. You can also use the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area of terrain exported. Only geometry within the view of the camera is exported. Backfacing polygons, which are those facing away from the camera, are also exported.		Primarily the Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a [[Render]] node to export geometry generated during a render. The [[Camera]] used for rendering partly defines the area of the terrain that will be exported. You can also use the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area of terrain exported. Only geometry within the view of the camera is exported. Backfacing polygons, which are those facing away from the camera, are also exported.
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	The Micro exporter basically works by exporting the micropolygons generated by the renderer. This has a few implications. It means the detail setting of the Render node the exporter is connected to controls the size of the polygons generated. Lower detail will generate a coarser mesh. Polygons also get larger the further they are from the camera.		The Micro exporter basically works by exporting the micropolygons generated by the renderer. This has a few implications. It means the detail setting of the Render node the exporter is connected to controls the size of the polygons generated. Lower detail will generate a coarser mesh. Polygons also get larger the further they are from the camera.

	Large amounts of geometry can be created by the Micro exporter. You can manage this, if needed, by using the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area exported. Using detail levels of 0.5 or below in the ~~renderer~~ will also help to keep geometry levels reasonable.		Large amounts of geometry can be created by the Micro exporter. You can manage this, if needed, by using the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area exported. Using detail levels of 0.5 or below in the Render node will also help to keep geometry levels reasonable.

	The easiest way to create a Micro exporter is to use a Render node. Follow these steps:		The easiest way to create a Micro exporter is to use a Render node. Follow these steps:
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	You will also need to check the '''Micro exporter''' checkbox to have the geometry exported during rendering.		You will also need to check the '''Micro exporter''' checkbox to have the geometry exported during rendering.

	Note that the [[Lwo micro exporter]] also available in the "Create new micro handler" submenu is an older node which remains for compatibility reasons and is deprecated. You can export LWO files from the Micro exporter and should use it instead.		Note that the [[LWO Micro Exporter\|Lwo micro exporter]] which is also available in the "Create new micro handler" submenu is an older node which remains for compatibility reasons and is deprecated. You can export LWO files from the Micro exporter and should use it instead.

Jo at 09:02, 24 October 2012

2012-10-24T09:02:30Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 09:02, 24 October 2012
Line 2:		Line 2:

	'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />		'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />
	The Micro exporter can be used to export terrain geometry. ~~Unlike exporting a heightfield, using the~~ Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.		The Micro exporter can be used to export terrain geometry. The Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. Exporting terrain as heightfield would not allow this. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.

	Primarily the Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a [[Render]] node to export geometry generated during a render. The [[Camera]] used for rendering partly defines the area of the terrain that will be exported. You can also use the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area of terrain exported. Only geometry within the view of the camera is exported. Backfacing polygons, which are those facing away from the camera, are also exported.		Primarily the Micro exporter is used in conjunction with a [[Render]] node to export geometry generated during a render. The [[Camera]] used for rendering partly defines the area of the terrain that will be exported. You can also use the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area of terrain exported. Only geometry within the view of the camera is exported. Backfacing polygons, which are those facing away from the camera, are also exported.

	The Micro exporter basically works by exporting the micropolygons generated by the renderer. This has a few implications. It means the detail setting of the Render node the exporter is connected to controls the size of the polygons generated. Lower detail will generate a coarser mesh. Polygons also get larger the further they are from the camera.		The Micro exporter basically works by exporting the micropolygons generated by the renderer. This has a few implications. It means the detail setting of the Render node the exporter is connected to controls the size of the polygons generated. Lower detail will generate a coarser mesh. Polygons also get larger the further they are from the camera.

			Large amounts of geometry can be created by the Micro exporter. You can manage this, if needed, by using the '''Near distance''' and '''Far distance''' parameters to limit the area exported. Using detail levels of 0.5 or below in the renderer will also help to keep geometry levels reasonable.

	The easiest way to create a Micro exporter is to use a Render node. Follow these steps:		The easiest way to create a Micro exporter is to use a Render node. Follow these steps:
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	[[Category:Other]]		[[Category:Other Nodes]]

Jo at 21:42, 23 October 2012

2012-10-23T21:42:46Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 21:42, 23 October 2012
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	[[Image:Micro-exporter-node.png‎\|Micro-exporter]]		[[Image:Micro-exporter-node.png‎\|center\|Micro-exporter]]

	'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />		'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />

JavaJones at 19:59, 23 October 2012

2012-10-23T19:59:22Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 19:59, 23 October 2012
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			[[Image:Micro-exporter-node.png‎\|Micro-exporter]]

	'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />		'''Node Description and Purpose:'''<br />
	The Micro exporter can be used to export terrain geometry. Unlike exporting a heightfield, using the Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.		The Micro exporter can be used to export terrain geometry. Unlike exporting a heightfield, using the Micro exporter allows you to export procedural terrains as well as displacement and overhangs etc. The Micro exporter can export geometry (polygons), normals and texture coordinates. It supports TGO, OBJ and LightWave LWO2 formats.