simmars-forum-threads Mars Map/Greyscale heightmaps

[Azerelus 0]

Does anyone know of or have a complete Collection of Mars maps? Meaning all of the surface either as one single (gianormous) image or a collection of maps?

I tried Nasa, JLP websites however their maps do not render as height maps. Theirs are in color and or they just have b&w images with too much light and shadow.

Or do I just have to go to Mars and map it myself? 

[AndisArt 2,068]

Well if you find a way to get there take me! :-D

There are a few on the STEX, that's all I can say.

[Azerelus 0]

Yes a few, two or three good ones of well known features.

As for getting to mars, well it appears that I will have to work on that. You have seen Farmer Astronaut right (The kids did) It looks like space is a DIY project that any hobbyist DIY enthusiast can do....

[Robstersfive 0]

http://www.rebel13.com/SimCity/Home.html

4th one down has a good mars map  

basically make a new region then quit out copy the new config into the region folder go back into the game press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+R then find the greyscale image of the map and it will render it into the game

[rjld 0]

http://planetpixelemporium.com/mars.html

I found this website that has different maps, not sure if it will help.

[timcravey 169]

Maps? Try USGS Astrogeology's Map-a-Planet at http://www.mapaplanet.org/

[TimeMaster 4]

...Maps? I agree with Tim. Also it would be so cool if some could upload a SimMars map on the STEX, NDEX, or LEX.

[timcravey 169]

Also, don't think that a map is unusable just because its not greyscale - frequently elevation maps are released in rainbow colors. Convert that map to greyscale and you may have a very detailed heightmap for your region. For best results look for maps that are DEM or GeoTIFF format. Robstersfive's post above has a link to a beautiful heightmap of the whole surface.

[timcravey 169]

New MOLA Topography map at USGS Map a Planet is SUPER!! Here's some pointers -

Choose a region by dragging a selection box around the area you want; not too big!

Use the Advanced Options tab (bottom button in the left hand panel) and increase the resolution to 16, 32 or higher (up to 128 dpi); if the page says the map is too big to load but you can still order it, do so - it's FREE - by using the shopping cart button in the top of the left hand panel. If the map does load to your screen, go ahead and order it the same way; it will show in your e-mail within 24 hours (actually within a few minutes).

If the page doesn't seem to be working properly or wont allow you to order the map you want, try again tomorrow or in a few days; this is a US goverment site and is subject to crankyness. Also, my own experience suggests that individuals are limited to 3 requests per day.

Lastly, I think the maps render with a little too much vertical exagerration so I always tweak them first in PaintShop (adjust the gamma to compress the midtones) for a more realistic terrain.

And -- search the STEX for maps by feature name (Olympus Mons, Ares Valles, etc.) as I am currently uploading my collection of heightmaps based on this USGS MOLA.

[platinumranger 18]

I agree Tim

         I've found if you use normal grayscale images you tend to get tilted craters and tilted canyons because most images of mars are composites and the sun has moved from frame to frame causing varied shadows and MOLA images are radar based not photo images so you get sharper details.

 

1) usgs map-a-planet in MOLA format and tweek the brightness and contrast to maximize the terrain depth and height to your needs.

    Note: save your map a planet image file to a standard size. (I like 1024x1024, larger image easier to keep details crisp if resize needed)

              you can choose the image size and format in the right side menus.

 

2) Import with mapper for basic config layout and grid sizing for buildable zones.

3) import into game for rendering test.

    Note: if walls appear at edge of region trim image to standard size and re-render. (I found a few with images being 1024x1025 due to a glitch in map a planet)

 

4) then if needed reopen in terraformer and adj sealevel to get desired iceflows depending on desired extent of terraforming and terrain mod chosen for your game needs.