HeightShop Workspace
Height mapping is similar to bump mapping but instead of it being a render effect height mapping
actually effects the object's geometry. Height mapping is more versatile then bump mapping
because there is greater control of the height field and the way it's applied. With height mapping
the object can actually be sculpted into a new shape.
Height mapping works on mesh and tin objects. It uses an image and converts the color and alpha channels and
into grayscale values, then uses the grayscale to determine the height field. Grayscale images work fine for
height mapping to. White represents 100% height effect and black represents no height effect.
When HeightShop is first open the object in the modeling window is usually grayed out. This means
an element is missing, most likely it's an image in the height map window. If an image is loaded in the
height map window and the modeling window is still grayed out it could be a keyframe is missing
from the current object, or the current object is not supported in HeightShop ( Wax or Biosphere ).
HeightShop Tools
Fusion: emboss the height map using a standard brush tool, the properties of the brush can be
modified using the brush palette.
Height Map
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Fusion Tool
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Planar: applies the height map flatly to the viewed side.
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Height Map
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Planar Tool
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Cylindric: applies the height map using a cylinder mapping mode ( wraps around the front, back and sides ).
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Height Map
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Cylindric Tool
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Spheric: applies the height map using a sphere mapping mode ( wraps around the object from all side
like it's a sphere ).
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Height Map
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Spheric Tool
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When using the three mapping tool, cursor movement to the left indents the mesh and cursor movement to the right raises
the mesh. The fusion's tool direction is set on the brush palette.
Height Map Palette
The Height Map Palette is where the image is loaded and options for how it will be used are set.
The file menu is used to load or remove the image in the window.
Any resolution size can be loaded but for best results
square dimensions work best. The height map window will fit the whole image into the window with out constraining the
dimensions. So undesirable distortion will occur with very uneven diminution such as 100X600.
The channel option gives control over whether what color or the alpha channel is used.
Any combinations can be used, so height maps can be made with specific color and alpha information.
Here is a height map with separate red, green, blue and alpha channels. And different combinations
used in the map window
The Fx options are used to set how bright and the shades of gray in the image.
This interface tutorial is written and provided by : Stephen Ray
