3D Map MAking Software

[johnvanvliet]

there are many tools but they all have a rather steep learning curve

i tend to use mostly opensource code
but Wilbur is rather nice and dose run in the Microsoft Windows emulator "wine"

for say a FPS
that would be ties of an area using a LOD approach with the GAME ENGINE

however making a square tile that dose NOT have to be joined to others is the easiest to do

a WHOLE planet at very hi resolution is a bit harder ( do to the HUGE file size )
I work on planets that JUST the height data might be 24 Gig


as to software
look at the section on the forum about programs

I tend to build the source code for the programs i use
this leads to a mix of programs that i use

one thing i use is Blender
a 3d modeler and 3d GAMING CREATION tool
http://www.blender.org/download/
there is a built in tool ( needs to be turned on )
Called " ANT "
http://cgcookie.com/blender/2011/03/...dscape-add-on/

and a oldish program
"FracPlanet "
http://www.bottlenose.demon.co.uk/share/fracplanet/

libnoise
a library and c headers for c code


now for something like this google search find for skyrim
http://static-1.nexusmods.com/15/mod...1396623946.jpg

the FREE tool wilbur will do just fine
however the site is down

the good news is that making basically an island ,even a big one, is the EASIEST to do .

there are many tutorials here on this site for that