Mountains: Resources/Tutorials

[jfrazierjr]

Ok, so I am working on a map of a continent and I want to have create my mountains from a space viewpoint instead of the side view. I am working on the map in GIMP using RobA's tutorial, but was looking for a different map style. What I would like to know is if anyone has any pointers or references to doing a good overhead mountain view with shaded relief going down from a nice ridge line in an artistic style.

I "know" I have seen an example close to what i am trying to do, but I cannot seem to find a link

Though I am using GIMP, I would be more than willing to use any other free software as long as the results could be imported back into GIMP for adding into a layer that I could put new layers on top of...

Any pointers or links would be appreciated.

Joe

[Bohunk]

As soon as I read your questions I thought of this map.

http://zompist.com/drill4.htm

I just love its colors.

[Torq]

I could never get my top-down mountains looking ridged enough until RobA gave me this cool and fairly simple work around. Use a b/w height map and colour select to select an area corresponding to the area where your mountains really start to slope, making sure you use some feather (between 10 and 20). Then add another layer and apply a gradient to the still selected area. The gradient should be black/white with white at the points, using the shaped angular gradient setting. If you want steeper slobes you can alter the curve. Then make the layer with the gradient invisible. Then you select the layer with your terrain on it and apply a bump map, using the gradient layer as the bump. You should get fairly passable ridges.

Torq

[torstan]

After a quick play I have something like this using pen lines and a burn/dodge layer. Is this the kind of thing you are after?

mountains.jpg

[Midgardsormr]

To go along with that map at zompist, here's a tutorial from the horse's mouth, so to speak:

http://www.zompist.com/howto2.htm

edit: And Torstan, that's quite attractive. It would look even better if you reduced the opacity of the ridgeline a bit.

[jfrazierjr]

I could never get my top-down mountains looking ridged enough until RobA gave me this cool and fairly simple work around. Use a b/w height map and colour select to select an area corresponding to the area where your mountains really start to slope, making sure you use some feather (between 10 and 20). Then add another layer and apply a gradient to the still selected area. The gradient should be black/white with white at the points, using the shaped angular gradient setting. If you want steeper slobes you can alter the curve. Then make the layer with the gradient invisible. Then you select the layer with your terrain on it and apply a bump map, using the gradient layer as the bump. You should get fairly passable ridges.

Torq

Hmm... any chance you could be persuaded to throw up a quick tut with screenshots in the next few weeks.

[RobA]

Hmm... any chance you could be persuaded to throw up a quick tut with screenshots in the next few weeks.

Try this: http://www.cartographersguild.com/showthread.php?t=594

-Rob A>

[jfrazierjr]

Yep, thats very close to what I am trying to get. I had problems with following the tut in the link though. Would be nice to have your attempts in more detail when you have the time.

[RobA]

I made a video tutorial (as they are all the rage) of the "mountains in gimp" thread that was recently resurrected. It creeped to almost 12 minutes (I tend to babble).

I recorded the screen in 1024x768 and scaled the video to 640x480 off line.

It is currently hosted at showmedo at 640x480 (though I think will host up to 800x600:
http://showmedo.com/videos/video?nam...omSeriesID=262

-Rob A>