I've been trying to figure out a way to use MoI to create a terrain surface using traced ground contours from a map. It seemed like it would be a simple matter of tracing the contours with curves and then lofting them, but my results so far are not what I need. I've tried just about every combination of settings in the Loft Options but I never get a nice straight, smooth interpolation between each contour.

The attached image (and accompanying 3DM) show the problems. The most obvious views are the front and side.

Has anyone else managed to do this sort of thing with MoI? Am I even using the correct tool?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Cheers!

I would try Max's cMorph script to obtain an overall better shape representation.

http://moi3d.com/forum/index.php?webtag=MOI&msg=6373.1

Regards
Stefan

Hi Skwerm, it can be difficult to generate terrain in that way, since the contours tend to be of fairly different shapes and that can be difficult for Loft to handle well.

You could try the "loose" option in loft which will give a more relaxed result but you would probably be better off using the "Patch" command in Rhino for that type of surface-from-contours type thing.

Often times terrain is easier done in a polygon modeling program I think.

- Michael

Hi Sqwerm, Just today I read a topic regarding a question about mapping on the Aspire forum, mentioning "microdem" and "accutrans."
They are not NURBS though, AFAIK.

http://forum.vectric.com/viewtopic.php?f=27&t=19535

- Brian

Edit: Just came across: http://www.world-machine.com/download.php

I did this a year or two back with Rhino. I think I had to generate some extra contours between the ones given on the maps. Like Michael said, the shapes can sometimes be too different to work. I remember it took quite a while to do; but eventually created something convincing. Never thought of Patch - I might have to play with that for something else I'm doing on the side.
Ron

Looks like the script might get me closer to what I need.

Thanks!