Terrain and photomatch

[Clive Edwards]

I would very much like to understand how you accurately model land contours in LW and whether the camera matching plug ins really work to provide an accurate verifiable 3d image which could be used legally for planning purposes

[Iain]

Hi Clive
There are many ways to model topology in LW but in my experience, if you need accuracy, it's easier done elsewhere and exported.

The last time I got involved in Verifiable Planning work, I got sick with worry. I believe you can use any kind of 3D software and camera match software and really it's just a case of documenting anything you use and do and providing it all.

[Clive Edwards]

Thanks for your reply Iain,seems like you're the only one out there.When you say it's beter done elsewhere,do you mean 3DS for instance. I'm generally puzzled why LW doesn't have the architectural features such as accurate sun/daylight systems and the photomatch utilities. Am I missing something.

[Iain]

I was thinking more along the lines of Key Terra-Firma or the like. The general 3d apps aren't really geared up for accurate ground modelling.

If you have a dxf of the contours, you could open it in any modeller and get quite an accurate result, I suppose.

LW does have Sunspot for daylight simulation and the brilliant free Skylight plugin from DPont. You can also use Skytracer.

[MicroMouse]

For one method of converting contour lines to a 3D mesh see
http://www.newtek.com/forums/showthread.php?t=75807

Wayne