9

Terrain Compound Object 351
refined but more complex mesh. This is most
effective in terrain forms that use constructive
cur ves such as circles and ellipses. This results
in more detail and a larger file size than using
No Simplification.
Vertical group
•
No Simplification—Uses all the spline
operandsvertices of the ter rain object to create
a complex mesh. This results in greater detail
and a larger file size than the other two options.
•
Use 1 /2 of L ines—Uses half the set of spline
operands of the terr ain object to create a less
complexmesh.Thisresultsinlessdetailanda
smallerfilesizethanusingNoSimplification.
•
Use 1/4 of L ines—Uses a quarter of the of spline
operands of the terr ain object to create a less
complex mesh. This results in the least detail
andsmallestfilesizeofthethreeoptions.
Color by Elevation rollout
Maximum Elev.—Displays the maximum elevation
in the Z axis of the terrain object. 3ds Max derives
this data f rom the contour data.
Minimum Elev.—Displays the minimum elevation
in the Z axis of the terrain object. 3ds Max derives
this data f rom the contour data.
Reference Elev.—This is the reference elevation, or
datum, that 3ds Max uses as a guide for assigning
colors to zones of elevation. After entering a
reference elevation, click the Create Defaults
button. 3ds Max treats elevations above the
reference elevation as solid land and those below
the reference elevation as water.