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[[Category:Technical Manuals]]
[[File:L3DTwYATT_Example.jpg|thumb|250px]]
One of the most taxing tasks of creating a new exterior area is the manual manipulation of terrain. Using the popular program [http://www.bundysoft.com/L3DT/ Large 3D Terrain (L3DT) Generator] and a toolset plugin, we can create realistic terrain with minimal effort. An example terrain as seen in the [[Toolset]] can be seen to the right.

This document will help guide builders to use these tools for [[Neverwinter Nights 2]].

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== Prerequisites ==
Be sure to work only in a test mod and enable all third party toolset plugins.

=== Large 3D Terrain Generator ===
Download [http://www.bundysoft.com/L3DT/downloads/standard.php L3DT Standard Edition]. Preferably get the latest beta, but if you encounter issues using it, try switching to the stable release. Install it using the on-screen instructions.

=== Yet Another Terrain Tool ===
Download [http://sourceforge.net/projects/nwn2yatt/files/latest/download?source=files Yet Another Terrain Tool]. Once it is finished, open the archive and move the dll file to <code>'''<NWN2 Install Directory>'''/NWN2Toolset/Plugins</code>.


== Generation with L3DT ==
: ''For a more complete introduction to L3DT, see [http://www.bundysoft.com/wiki/doku.php?id=tutorials:l3dt L3DT User Tutorials]''
In this example we will be making a very simple terrain using L3DT. To get started, open L3DT and create a new project using <code>File > New project</code>.

=== Project Type ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_001.jpg|frame]]
Our first window in L3DT lets us determine what sort of project we're making. Typically, you will want either a '''Designable Map''' or a '''Blank Designable Map'''. A blank map will let you detail the world by hand, while the first option will generate the map for you based on various parameters. In this tutorial, we will be using '''Designable Map'''. Make sure this is selected, then click '''Next >>'''.

Summary:
# Select '''Designable Map'''
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Heightfield Size ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_002.jpg|frame]]
Next, we want to specify the size of our heightfield. A heightfield is the image used that provides vertical depth, or height, to a terrain. The [http://nwn2yatt.sourceforge.net/ YATT website] provides mandatory resolutions to use for these heightmaps, copied below. In this example, we will be making a 24x24 external area. By using the chart, we see that our size for a 24x24 area is 241px by 241px but the smallest area size designable in L3DT is 256x256. Set those as the width and height for now. We will resize later. In Neverwinter Nights 2, 1 map unit is 1 meter, so we will use a '''Horizontal Scale''' of 1.
{| class="wikitable_standard"
! Area Width
! Heightmap Size
! Area Width
! Heightmap Size
|-
! 4
| 121
! 20
| 217
|-
! 8
| 145
! 24
| 241
|-
! 12
| 169
! 28
| 265
|-
! 16
| 193
! 32
| 289
|}

Summary:
# Set both '''Width''' and '''Height''' to 256.
# Set '''Horizontal Scale''' to 1.
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Design Map Size ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_003.jpg|frame]]
The design map lets us place or tweak features, and and thus determines general terrain detail. This is mostly important if we want to tweak our map, or are generating one by hand. For this example, we're going to err on the side of detail, and select a value of '''16'''.

Summary:
# Select '''16''' from the drop down box.
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Design Map Parameters ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_004.jpg|frame]]
While most of the screens are fairly simple, this is where you actually have the most input on how your terrain will come out. Play with these dials, experiment, and see what you like best. With this you can make rolling plains, frosty crags, or islands.

Summary:
# Play around! Don't be afraid to try new things, you can always make a new map.
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Calculation Queue ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_005.jpg|frame]]
In this next step, we define just what we want to create. For our purposes, we will check everything except for '''Water map'''.

Summary:
# Check everything except for '''Water map'''.
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Light Mapping (Part 1) ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_006.jpg|frame]]
This is another window we will simply click through. Should you wish to get advanced, here you can control the angle of our lighting, which we will use later to make specular maps. These maps will translate to color maps for our terrain, which will provide far nicer details.

Summary:
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Light Mapping (Part 2) ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_007.jpg|frame]]
Yet another simple page. Here, we are specifying the details for generating what we described above. Since we are not generating water in this example, be sure to uncheck '''Water effects'''.

Summary:
# Uncheck '''Water effects'''
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Texture Settings ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_008.jpg|frame]]
Our final bit of generation in L3DT prior to exporting will be the creation of our textures. For now, the default settings work out just fine.

Summary:
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Finalizing Generation ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_009.jpg|thumb|350px]]
After L3DT generates everything for you, take a look around. This is your chance to make sure what you made is something worth creating. Due to the random nature of L3DT's generation, not everything will be suitable for a NWN2 area. You will want to keep in mind that the center of your map is where the players will be, so you will want to make sure everything looks manageable.

You can click the '''View map in 3D''' button on the toolbar to take a look around. Control your camera using '''W''', '''A''', '''S''', and '''D''' to move around. Use '''R''' to lower the camera, and '''E''' to raise it.

Do not worry too much about texture quality, as we will not be using L3DT's textures directly. When you are happy with what you have, progress to the next step.


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== Exporting Maps ==
Now that we've generated our fancy terrain, we need to cut out the parts that the toolset can use. These exports, ''maps'', are image files that represent details on the terrain. A heightmap may be a grayscale image, where lighter shades represent higher altitudes, while darker shades represent depth. You can see some of these maps by clicking the tabs. Set up a folder for your L3DT exports and save each new project's maps to their own subdirectory, for ease of access later, when we need to resize them.

=== Creating Alpha Texture Maps ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_010.jpg|frame]]
First, we need to generate alpha texture maps. These maps tell YATT where and at what pressures there are textures. You will get one map for each texture used. To get started, navigate to '''Operations > Alpha maps > Generate maps...''' Here you will want to note down the order and textures used. In this example, we've have layers 1 and 2 being grasses, with 3 and 4 being cliff textures. Note these down for later, then click '''Next >>'''.

Summary:
# Navigate to '''Operations > Alpha maps > Generate maps...'''
# Note down the relationship between the numbers and what kind of texture it relates to. E.g., 1 goes to grass, 4 goes to cliffs.
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Exporting Alpha Texture Maps ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_011.jpg|frame]]
On the next page, you will want to check '''Export alpha maps now''' and save the .xml file where you will be exporting your maps. If you went through more detailed textures, you may want to change some settings here.

Summary:
# Check '''Export alpha maps now'''.
# Save the .xml file into a folder to use later.
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Exporting Heightmap ===
[[File:ResizeHM3.png|frame]]
Next we want to export our heightfield, which will define our terrain's shape. To start, select the '''Heightfield''' tab, then navigate to '''Layers > Export layer...''' or use the '''Ctrl+E''' shortcut. We want to export our images as bitmap or '''BMP''' files. Select this from the drop down menu, and use the '''...''' button to specify the location of your map. Next, tick the '''Resize for Export''' box and put the final pixel size required by YATT to import. See the chart above under Heightfield size. This is where we will change the existing 256 height and width to 241 height and width. You want to save this to the same directory as your alpha maps. When you are done, progress by clicking '''Next >>'''.

Summary:
# Select the '''Heightfield''' tab.
# Navigate to '''Layers > Export layer...'''
# Select '''BMP''' as the export '''File format'''.
# Tick '''Resize for Export''' and enter the final pixel size desired.
# Click on '''...''' on the '''File name''' field, and save the .bmp file in the same folder as your alpha maps.
# Click '''Next >>'''

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=== Exporting Specular Light Map ===
[[File:ResizeSM.png|frame]]
Now that we have our heightfield/heightmap, we're basically going to do the same thing for our specular light map. Follow the same steps, but for the '''Specular light map''' tab. Don't forget to tick the '''Resize for Export''' box and put the final pixel size required by YATT to import. See the chart above under Heightfield size. This is where we will change the existing 256 height and width to 241 height and width. 

Summary:
# Select the '''Specular light map''' tab.
# Navigate to '''Layers > Export layer...'''
# Select '''BMP''' as the export '''File format'''.
# Tick '''Resize for Export''' and enter the final pixel size desired.
# Click on '''...''' on the '''File name''' field, and save the .bmp file in the same folder as your alpha maps.
# Click '''Next >>'''

==== Tweaking Specular Lights ====
By default the specular light map is rather dramatic. Open it in your favorite image editing program, such as [http://www.gimp.org/ GIMP] and add a white layer above it, at 75% or so opacity. You may want to come back to this file later to tweak it.


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== Creation with YATT ==
At this point we are done with L3DT, but before importing the results into toolset with YATT, we have to resize the Alpha maps. The Heightmap and Specular map should have been resized through their export dialogue, but if not, you can do them now, too. If the maps do not adhere to the following sizes on these charts, YATT will throw errors or generate a perfectly empty area, with no terrain, just empty blue space.

Resize the maps in any image editing software to the following dimensions (reproduced from the YATT website):

Input heightmaps and colourmaps should be sized as follows (height and width):

{| class="wikitable_standard"
! Area Width
! Heightmap Size
! Area Width
! Heightmap Size
|-
! 4
| 121
! 20
| 217
|-
! 8
| 145
! 24
| 241
|-
! 12
| 169
! 28
| 265
|-
! 16
| 193
! 32
| 289
|}

The Alpha maps, which are texturemaps, should be sized as follows (height and width):

{| class="wikitable_standard"
! Area Width
! Heightmap Size
! Area Width
! Heightmap Size
|-
! 4
| 640
! 20
| 1152
|-
! 8
| 768
! 24
| 1280
|-
! 12
| 896
! 28
| 1408
|-
! 16
| 1024
! 32
| 1536
|}

Now you are ready to import these resized maps into toolset using the YATT plugin.

=== Getting Started ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_014.jpg|frame]]
Make sure that you have 3rd party plugins enabled, and that you have YATT properly installed. If you do, you should be able to navigate to '''Plugins > YATT'''. Do so, then navigate to '''File > Project Settings'''. Give your upcoming new YATTed area a unique name. Afterward, navigate to '''File > Define Input Images'''.

Summary:
# Start the toolset.
# Enable 3rd party plugins.
# Navigate to '''Plugins > YATT'''
# Navigate to '''File > Project Settings''' and give your upcoming area a name.
# Navigate to '''File > Define Input Images'''

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=== Define Heightfield ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_015.jpg|frame]]
We're going to start off with our heightmap. Again, this will tell YATT the shape of your area, where hills and valleys are, and so on. Click on the '''...''' button in the '''Heightmap''' field, then add our map by clicking the '''Add''' button on the new window. Our first step here is to use the '''...''' button in our '''Heightmap File''' field to the heightfield we exported earlier.

The heightmap image itself uses shades between white and black, where white is the highest elevation, and black is the lowest. However, we need to define just how large this scale is. By using '''Minimum Height''' and '''Maximum Height''' we can specify that. For our cliffs, we're going to use a value of '''-10''' and '''80'''. In L3DT, you can view the elevation and try to see just how much of a range you want.

Finally, we want to tell YATT the size of our area. In this example, we are making a 24 by 24 area. In '''Map To Area Width''' and '''Map To Area Height''' select a value of '''TwentyFour'''. Click '''OK''' when you are done.

Summary:
# Click on '''...''' in the '''Heightmap''' field.
# Click the '''Add''' button.
# Set '''Heightmap File''' to the heightfield we exported earlier.
# Set '''Minimum Height''' to '''-10''' and '''Maximum Height''' to 80.
# Set '''Map To Area Width''' and '''Map To Area Height''' to '''TwentyFour'''.
# Click '''OK'''.

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=== Define Colourmap ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_016.jpg|frame]]
In NWN2, it is common to use a black color to faintly define terrain. We will be doing this by using L3DT's specular light map as a color map. Open the colourmap collection, click '''Add''', and point '''Colourmap File''' to our specular light map from earlier. Again, we will need to tell YATT the size of our area. In '''Map To Area Width''' and '''Map To Area Height''' select a value of '''TwentyFour'''. Click '''OK''' when you are done.

Summary:
# Click on '''...''' in the '''Colourmap''' field.
# Click the '''Add''' button.
# Set '''Colourmap File''' to the specular light map we exported earlier.
# Set '''Map To Area Width''' and '''Map To Area Height''' to '''TwentyFour'''.
# Click '''OK'''.

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=== Define Texturemaps ===
[[File:L3DTwYATT_017.jpg|frame]]
Much like with heightmaps and the colourmap, we are going to specify our texturemaps. Here, however, we need to keep in mind which map relates to which textures. If you did not note them down from earlier, go back to that step to see which file corresponds to which texture, or open and explore your alpha map .xml file.

Repeat the following steps for each alpha texture map that L3DT exported.
# Click '''Add'''.
# Point '''Texturemap File''' to the alpha map.
# Set '''Texture''' to a related texture. Keep in mind you can always swap out textures in the toolset after generation.
# Set '''Map To Area Width''' and '''Map To Area Height''' to '''TwentyFour'''.

When you are done, click '''OK'''.

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Your YATT main screen should now show all the associated maps. The colourmap will show the rule by which the specular light map will be added to the textures as black shading that defines terrain features, rather than the name of the map.
[[File:YATT_Assoc_crop.png|frame]]

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=== Generating the Area ===
And that's it! You're ready to generate your area. If what you get is not desirable, you can use the brush tool to replace textures. You may want to go back and edit your specular light map to make the black colors less defined.

To create your area, click '''OK''' on the settings browser, and navigate to '''Area > Build Area from Image(s)'''. Wait for YATT to complete its process, then open your area. From there, you still need to place down details, but one of the hardest parts is done for you.

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=== Creating TRX ===
Open your area. Save it. Close your area and open it again. The first time you bake, the walkmesh may come out flat. In that case, go over it with a 1% raise brush, to make the trx register that there are trx changes to bake and rebake correctly.
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== Notes and Frequently Asked Questions ==
* Are the black detail colors too intense on your map? Open them up in an image editing program, and wash out the darkness with a semi-transparent white layer.
* Do you not like the textures you chose during creation, or are they showing up wrong? You can use the toolset's texturing brush to select and replace textures on the map. Use this to fine tune the textures you want, or fix issues.
Return to Creating Terrain with L3DT and YATT.
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