Heightfield Merge

Heightfield Merge

Overview

Heightfield Merge allows you to merge two heightfields together based on simple settings that control the amount of heightfield mixing and the type of mixing method used.

These images were used as heightfields in the examples below.

Gradient image used as Heightfield Input

Gradient image used as Heightfield A

Noise pattern image used as Heightfield A

Settings:

• Name: This setting allows you to apply a descriptive name to the node, which can be helpful when using multiple Heightfield merge nodes in a project.
• Heightfield A: The heightfield file assigned to this setting will be merged with the heightfield connected to the Input node.
• Mix amount: This setting controls how much of “Heightfield A” is merged with the heightfield connected to the input node. A value of 0 means no merge will take place and the heightfield connected to the input node will be passed through without any modifications. A value of 1 means that “Heightfield A” will be merged completely with the other heightfield by whichever method is chosen below.

Mix amounts 0 to 1

• Merge mode: This setting provides eight options for merging the two heightfields together.

Merge mode options

• Mix:

Merge mode = Mix

Merge mode = Mix

• Add:

Merge mode = Add

Merge mode = Add

• Subtract:

Merge mode = Subtract

Merge mode = Subtract

• Difference:

Merge mode = Difference

Merge mode = Difference

• Highest (raise):

Merge mode = Highest

Merge mode = Highest

• Lowest (cut away):

Merge mode = Lowest

Merge mode = Lowest

• Multiply:

Merge mode = Multiply

Merge mode = Multiply

• Screen:

Merge mode = Screen

Merge mode = Screen

A heightmap or heightfield is an array of height values, usually in a grid which describe the height at specific points in a defined area. Heightfields are used to represent real-world and virtual terrain in a specific, easily converted format. Most heightfields can be represented as simple image data in grayscale, with black being minimum height and white being maximum height.

A single object or device in the node network which generates or modifies data and may accept input data or create output data or both, depending on its function. Nodes usually have their own settings which control the data they create or how they modify data passing through them. Nodes are connected together in a network to perform work in a network-based user interface. In Terragen 2 nodes are connected together to describe a scene.