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    Part 4A. Color Maps

    Getting Started with VNS 3: Draping Images on Terrain
    Getting Started with VNS 3: Draping Images on Terrain

    Part 4A. Color Maps

    1. Go to the File menu and open the YNP project from the recent projects list. This is the project we created in the last tutorial. Return the Main camera to its default location. Open the Plan Camera in the right view. Save the project as YNPCM.

    A computer screen displaying Visual Nature Studio 3.0 software with various maps and settings windows open.

    2. Open the Database Editor and you’ll see the YNP-100m DEM enabled, the one we created for higher elevation viewpoints. The 10-meter DEMs are disabled. We’re looking at terrain near the western border of Yellowstone National Park, just east of the town of West Yellowstone, Montana. We’re going to import a corrected color satellite image of the Yellowstone area. The image will be draped over the terrain as a Color Map.

    Screenshot of a Database Editor window showing a table with columns for name, label, attributes, and boolean checkboxes. The cursor is pointing at "YNP-100m." Some rows are highlighted in gray.

    3. Go to the Land Cover Task Mode and double-click the Color Map category to create a new Component.

    A screenshot of the Visual Nature Studio 3.0 interface, showing an open project and various file and editing tool icons. The cursor is hovering over the "Color Maps" option in the menu.

    4. Rename the Color Map Landsat. We’ll use the Image Object dropdown list to add the satellite photo, but let’s first copy the image to a convenient location on the hard drive.

    A screenshot of the Color Map Editor for Landsat. The General tab shows options to enable, set priority, drape ecosystems on terrain, match ecosystems to image colors, and adjust luminous colors.

    5. Open your file explorer of choice to the VNS 3 DVD image folder. Also find the YNP project folder on your hard drive.

    6. Copy YNPLandsat.tif to the YNP folder. The VNS project will remember where this file was loaded from when we add it to the project. If we load it from the DVD, VNS will try to find it there every time the project is opened. Copying it to the project folder keeps it with the project.

    7. Back in the VNS Color Map Editor, expand the Image Object dropdown list and add a New Image Object.

    A software interface titled "Color Map Editor - Landsat" showing options to name, enable, and set priority for a feature, with a dropdown menu selecting "New Image Object.

    8. Navigate to the YNP project folder and choose YNPLandsat.tif.

    Screenshot of a file explorer window showing a list of files in a folder named 'YNP.' The selected file named 'YNPLandsat.tif' is about to be opened, highlighted at the bottom of the list.

    9. The image is a georeferenced TIFF, or GeoTIFF, with a coordinate system different than the one we’re currently using. Make it the new default Coordinate System.

    Dialog box titled "UTM 12 - WGS 84" asking if the new coordinate system should be the default for viewing and rendering, with "Yes" and "No" buttons. The cursor is pointing at the "Yes" button.

    10. After an image is imported, its thumbnail normally appears in the thumbnail window. For larger images handled by the Image Manager, a checkerboard stand-in image appears.

    Screenshot of Color Map Editor in Landsat software showing options for naming, enabling, and prioritizing an image layer, with features like drape image, luminous colors, and a sample image thumbnail.

    11. Double-click the thumbnail to open the Image Object Library. Enable Load Fast and click Apply to All. In the Current Applications section you’ll see that the image is associated with the UTM 12 – WGS 84 Coordinate System and Landsat Color Map.

    Screenshot of an Image Object Library interface with various control panels and buttons for managing image objects, color settings, and geo-references. A file named "YNPLandsat.tif" is selected.

    12. The Geo Reference page shows the Coordinate System and bounds.

    Screenshot of the Image Object Library window for geographic referencing. Displays options for coordinate systems, registration coordinates, and bounding settings with buttons for managing image objects.

    13. This page also has tools for georeferencing an image that isn’t already georeferenced. With Set Bounds in a View, you can click opposite corners on the terrain where we want to place the image. Shift Bounds in a View is very handy for making adjustments, something even georeferenced images need sometimes. Snap to selected DEMs is great when working with USGS Digital Orthophoto Quadrangles, or DOQs, and USGS Digital Raster Graphics (DRGs).

    Screenshot of an "Image Object Library" software window, showing tabs such as Browse, Geo Reference, and Image Mgr. It includes options for selecting coordinate systems and setting registration coordinates.

    14. The Image Manager is automatically added by VNS when it senses the need. It tiles the image at render time, allowing you to use very large images that would normally be unrenderable because of their memory requirements. Read more about it in the Interactive Reference Manual. Close the library.

    A software interface for managing image objects, showing options for Image Object, Color Control, Geo Reference, and Image Manager. The Image Manager tab is selected displaying various settings.

    15. Realtime views show the active Landsat Color Map highlighted. Zoom back in the Plan view to see the Color Map bounds.

    Screenshot of a software planning tool interface displaying a top-view layout with a grid and control icons at the top.

    16. Return to the Plan Camera to its default position.

    A computer screen displaying a terrain elevation map with shades of green and yellow, featuring gridlines and a toolbar with multiple icons at the top.

    17. Let’s add the Landsat Color Map as a realtime view overlay. Open the Plan View Preferences to the Overlay/Gradient page and check Ecosystem Map.

    A software interface displaying view preferences for map overlays and gradients, including options like Contours, Slope Map, and Ecosystem Map. A mouse cursor is pointing at the Ecosystem Map checkbox.

    18. The Status window will show Generate TexMaps as the overlay is generated.

    19. When VNS is finished, the Plan view will refresh with the overlay.

    Screenshot of a software interface displaying a plan with an aerial view of a terrain in yellow and green shades, overlaid with a grid. Tool icons are visible at the top.

    20. Repeat the process for the Main view: popup menu, View Preferences, Overlay/Gradient, and Ecosystem Map. There will be less delay generating the image because it’s already in memory. Image detail is a function of terrain resolution. Higher resolution terrain will show more detail in the overlay.

    A 3D rendering of a topographical map with a greenish hue displayed on a computer screen. An orange line extends from the foreground towards the horizon. Toolbar icons are visible at the top of the screen.

    21. The Color Map is getting in the way of our realtime views, so let’s hide it. Go to the View Preferences Land Cover/Water page and deselect the Realtime Color Maps box.

    View Preferences window showing options for Land Cover & Water, including settings for Ground Components, Foliage, RT Foliage Images, Vector Ecosystem, and various water features with checkboxes for Realtime and Render.

    22. Select the other view to switch to its preferences and deselect the Realtime Color Maps box.

    23. Render a Main camera preview. All that’s left is to create a camera path to fly us across the terrain.

    Computer screen displaying a three-dimensional topographic map of a mountainous region.
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