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== Heightmap Import ==
Part of the [wiki:Atlas_Manual Atlas (Scenario Editor) Manual]

The '''Heightmap Import''' feature (accessible via `File -> Import Heightmap...` menu item) allows to generate terrain based on a heightmap image file. One possible usage of this feature is generating game maps based on real-world data (see [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Digital_elevation_model Digital elevation model]).

The image should be:
1. square
2. with power of 2 dimensions (128x128, 256x256 etc.)
3. greyscale (darker parts of the image produce lower terrain)

An excellent source for large scale real-world heightmaps is [http://tangrams.github.io/heightmapper Tangram Heightmapper] or the [http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_cat.php?categoryID=1484 NASA Blue Marble] image series. You may combine topographic and bathymetric (ocean floor height) images for a better result. Detailed maps can be found via [http://www.imagico.de/map/demsearch.php this digital elevation data search engine].

The resulting map size is calculated based on the image size (128x128, 256x256 and 512x512 correspond to Tiny, Medium and Giant map sizes respectively, see [http://trac.wildfiregames.com/browser/ps/trunk/binaries/data/mods/public/simulation/data/settings/map_sizes.json map_sizes.json]).

Currently the heightmap importer doesn’t have any configuration, so if import doesn't produce the desirable result, the source image should be edited in an image editor and re-imported. Fine-tuning of specific areas can be done using Atlas terrain tools (see [wiki:Atlas_Manual_Terrain_Tab Atlas Manual: Terrain Tab]).

By using a hex editor you can also manipulate directly the .pmp map file storing the height data. This reduces unwanted artefacts resulting from the limited height resolution of 8-bit greyscale images. You can find further information in the heightmap guide linked below.

== Related Links ==
- [https://wildfiregames.com/forum/index.php?/topic/20786-palaxins-heightmap-guide Palaxin's Heightmap Guide] in the Forum.