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<big>'''Welcome to the Planetside Software Wiki'''
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== Welcome to the Planetside Software Wiki ==
  
This is the primary source of documentation on Planetside's Terragen software products, including [[Terragen Classic]] and [[Terragen 2]]. This wiki contains official information as well as community-written content. Official documentation is clearly delineated from user contributed information by section below. We hope you find this to be a valuable resource and we encourage you to contribute any information you can in the community-generated areas. For help on how to use and contribute to a Wiki system, check the [[Help:Contents|Help]] section.
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'''This is the primary source of documentation on Planetside Software's Terragen environment modeling and rendering products, including [[Terragen 4]] and [[Terragen Classic]] (deprecated).'''
  
If you are a licensed user of Terragen and you need direct support, you can contact us via [http://planetside.co.uk/index.php?option=com_contact&view=contact&catid=4:uncategorised&id=1-planetside our contact page].
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<u>Please note: this documentation refers primarily to the latest version of Terragen (currently Terragen 4). Whenever the general term "Terragen" is used, it is referring to this most recent version, unless otherwise specified, e.g. "Terragen Classic".</u>
  
== Terragen 2/3 Official Documentation ==
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This wiki contains official information as well as community-written content. Official documentation is clearly delineated from user contributed information by section below. We hope you find this to be a valuable resource and we encourage you to contribute any information you can in the community-generated areas. For help on how to use and contribute to a Wiki system, check the [[Help:Contents|Help]] section.
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If you are a licensed user of Terragen and you need direct support, you can contact us via [http://planetside.co.uk/contact-us/ our contact page].
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== Terragen 4 Official Documentation ==
  
 
===Guides===
 
===Guides===
  
 
[[Quick Start]]<br />
 
[[Quick Start]]<br />
For those pressed for time, this is a very short and simple list of steps to take to create and render your first scene. Please refer to the "Creating Your First Scene" document below for a more full explanation of each step.
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For those pressed for time, this is a very short and simple list of steps to take to create and render your first scene in Terragen 4. Please refer to the [[Creating Your First Scene]] page for a more full explanation of each step.
  
[http://planetside.co.uk/docs/tg2/first-scene.pdf Creating Your First Scene] <span style="font-size:x-small">(PDF 600KB)</span><br />
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[[Creating Your First Scene]]<br />
A step-by-step tutorial on how to create a basic Terragen 2 scene.
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A step-by-step tutorial on how to create a basic Terragen 4 scene.
  
[http://planetside.co.uk/docs/tg2/tg2-guide-part1.pdf Terragen 2 User Guide Part 1: Fundamental Concepts and User Interface Overview] <span style="font-size:x-small">(PDF 800KB)</span><br />
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[[Terragen 4 User Guide Part 1: Fundamental Concepts and User Interface Overview]] <br />
The User Guide is a series of documents that give an overview of all the major work areas of Terragen 2 and how to construct a basic scene. It is designed to be read through completely over time.
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The User Guide is a series of documents that give an overview of all the major work areas of Terragen 4 and how to construct a basic scene. It is designed to be read through completely over time.
  
[[Terragen 2 User Guide Part 2: Fundamental Rendering and Shader Concepts]]<br />
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[[Terragen 4 User Guide Part 2: Fundamental Rendering and Shader Concepts]]<br />
This part of the User Guide explains some of the fundamental concepts used for rendering and shaders.
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This part of the User Guide explains some of the fundamental concepts used for rendering and shaders.  
  
 
[[Terrain and Water]]<br />
 
[[Terrain and Water]]<br />
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[[Surface Mapping and Shading]]<br />
 
[[Surface Mapping and Shading]]<br />
Detailed information on applying surface maps, i.e. texturing, in Terragen 2. This section is oriented toward surface maps as applied to terrain, but much of the information also applies to object texturing.
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Detailed information on applying surface maps, i.e. texturing, in Terragen 4. This section is oriented toward surface maps as applied to terrain, but much of the information also applies to object texturing.
  
[[Terragen 2 Animation Module Guide|Animation Module Guide]]<br />
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[[Terragen 4 Animation Guide]]<br />
This is a guide to using the Animation Module. It has information and tutorials about creating animations using TG2.
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This is a guide to using the Animation functions in Terragen. It has information and tutorials about creating animations using TG4.
  
 
[[The Library]]<br />
 
[[The Library]]<br />
This is a guide to using the Library and Library window in TG3.
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This is a guide to using the Library and Library window in TG4.
  
[[Terragen 2 Network View Guide|Network View Guide]]<br />
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[[Terragen Network View Guide|Network View Guide]]<br />
This is a guide to using the Network View in TG2.
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This is a guide to using the Network View in TG4.
  
 
[[Painted Shader Guide]]<br />
 
[[Painted Shader Guide]]<br />
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[[Working with Objects]]<br />
 
[[Working with Objects]]<br />
This is a guide to working with objects in TG3. It covers topics such as importing objects, creating objects, manipulating them in the 3D Preview and much more.
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This is a guide to working with objects in TG4. It covers topics such as importing objects, creating objects, manipulating them in the 3D Preview and much more.
  
[[Ray Trace Objects and Defer Atmosphere/Cloud]]
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[[Ray Trace Objects and Defer Atmosphere/Cloud|A Guide to Rendering with Ray Trace Objects and Defer Atmo/Cloud]]<br />
 
How and when to use the rendering options "Ray trace objects", "Defer atmo/cloud" and "Ray trace everything".
 
How and when to use the rendering options "Ray trace objects", "Defer atmo/cloud" and "Ray trace everything".
  
[http://planetside.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=16:tg2-with-max-and-maya&catid=14:help 3DS Max and Maya Tutorials]<br />
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[[FAQs and Troubleshooting]]
Learn how to work with TG2 and 3DS Max or Maya with these in-depth tutorial videos, courtesy of Xfrog Software and Jan Walter Schliep.
 
  
[http://planetside.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=35:22cloudfunctiontutorial&catid=14:help Advanced Cloud Function Tutorial (clouds follow terrain)]<br />
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[[Clouds Following Terrain Tutorial]]<br />
 
Get an in-depth understanding of the new cloud control functions in Terragen with this tutorial by Martin Huisman
 
Get an in-depth understanding of the new cloud control functions in Terragen with this tutorial by Martin Huisman
  
 
===Reference===
 
===Reference===
  
[[Terragen 2 Node Reference]]<br />
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[[Terragen Node Reference]]<br />
Describes all the TG2/TG3 nodes.
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Describes all the Terragen 4 nodes.
  
 
[[Glossary]]<br />
 
[[Glossary]]<br />
The Glossary explains terms relevant to TG2/3.
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The Glossary explains terms relevant to Terragen.
  
[[Terragen 3 Input Settings Reference|Input Settings Reference]]<br />
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[[Terragen 4 Input Settings Reference|Input Settings Reference]]<br />
Lists all the input settings, such as mouse clicks and hot keys, that can be used in various views. You can find the input settings for TG2 [[Terragen 2 Input Settings Reference|here]].
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Lists all the input settings, such as mouse clicks and hot keys, that can be used in various views. You can find the input settings for TG4 [[Terragen Input Settings Reference|here]].
  
[[Terragen 3 Menu Reference|Menu Reference]]<br />
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[[Terragen Menu Reference|Menu Reference]]<br />
Describes the menus in the Terragen 3's menubar. You can read about Terragen 2's menus [[Terragen 2 Menu Reference|here]].
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Describes the menus in the Terragen 4's menubar. You can read about Terragen 4's menus [[Terragen 2 Menu Reference|here]].
  
[[Terragen 2 Window Reference|Window Reference]]<br />
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[[Terragen Window Reference|Window Reference]]<br />
Describes the different windows used in TG2/3.
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Describes the different windows used in Terragen 4.
  
[[Terragen 2 Animation Module Reference|Animation Module Reference]]<br />
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[[Terragen Animation Function Reference|Animation Module Reference]]<br />
  
 
Gives an overview of the Animation Module as well as a reference for animation related windows and views.
 
Gives an overview of the Animation Module as well as a reference for animation related windows and views.
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[[Terragen Import-Export Reference|Import-Export Reference]]<br />
 
[[Terragen Import-Export Reference|Import-Export Reference]]<br />
  
This reference describes TG2s import and export capabilities.
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This reference describes TG4s import and export capabilities.
  
[[Terragen 2 Gathering Projects Reference|Gathering Projects Reference]]<br />
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[[Terragen 4 Gathering Projects Reference|Gathering Projects Reference]]<br />
  
 
Describes the project gathering process, which allows you to gather a project and related assets into a single folder.
 
Describes the project gathering process, which allows you to gather a project and related assets into a single folder.
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[[Terragen 2 Global Illumination|Global Illumination]]<br />
 
[[Terragen 2 Global Illumination|Global Illumination]]<br />
  
Explains what Global Illumination is and how to use it in Terragen 2 and Terragen 3.
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Explains what Global Illumination is and how to use it in Terragen 4.
  
[[Render Layers and Render Elements|Render Layers and Render Elements (Terragen 3 Professional)]]<br />
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[[Render Layers and Render Elements|Render Layers and Render Elements (Terragen 4 Professional)]]<br />
  
Explains the Render Layers system in Terragen 3 Professional, including Render Elements.
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Explains the Render Layers system in Terragen 4 Professional, including Render Elements.
  
[[Terragen 3 Preferences|Preferences]]<br />
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[[Terragen 4 Preferences|Preferences]]<br />
  
Describes Terragen 3's preferences, which let you customise how the application behaves. You can find out about Terragen 2's preferences [[Terragen 2 Preferences|here]].
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Describes Terragen 4's preferences, which let you customise how the application behaves. You can find out about Terragen 4's preferences [[Terragen 42 Preferences|here]].
  
 
[[Command Line Reference]]<br />
 
[[Command Line Reference]]<br />
  
How to run Terragen 3 from the command line on Windows, Mac and Linux, and descriptions of all the command line options.
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How to run Terragen 4 from the command line on Windows, Mac and Linux, and descriptions of all the command line options.
  
 
== Terragen Resources ==
 
== Terragen Resources ==
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Find Terragen-compatible software, 3D models, content, and other resources.
 
Find Terragen-compatible software, 3D models, content, and other resources.
  
== Terragen 2/3 Community-Generated Content ==
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== Terragen Community-Generated Content ==
  
 
[[Using Terragen 2]]<br />
 
[[Using Terragen 2]]<br />

Revision as of 20:15, 19 July 2017

Welcome to the Planetside Software Wiki[edit]

This is the primary source of documentation on Planetside Software's Terragen environment modeling and rendering products, including Terragen 4 and Terragen Classic (deprecated).

Please note: this documentation refers primarily to the latest version of Terragen (currently Terragen 4). Whenever the general term "Terragen" is used, it is referring to this most recent version, unless otherwise specified, e.g. "Terragen Classic".

This wiki contains official information as well as community-written content. Official documentation is clearly delineated from user contributed information by section below. We hope you find this to be a valuable resource and we encourage you to contribute any information you can in the community-generated areas. For help on how to use and contribute to a Wiki system, check the Help section.

If you are a licensed user of Terragen and you need direct support, you can contact us via our contact page.

Terragen 4 Official Documentation[edit]

Guides[edit]

Quick Start
For those pressed for time, this is a very short and simple list of steps to take to create and render your first scene in Terragen 4. Please refer to the Creating Your First Scene page for a more full explanation of each step.

Creating Your First Scene
A step-by-step tutorial on how to create a basic Terragen 4 scene.

Terragen 4 User Guide Part 1: Fundamental Concepts and User Interface Overview
The User Guide is a series of documents that give an overview of all the major work areas of Terragen 4 and how to construct a basic scene. It is designed to be read through completely over time.

Terragen 4 User Guide Part 2: Fundamental Rendering and Shader Concepts
This part of the User Guide explains some of the fundamental concepts used for rendering and shaders.

Terrain and Water
Detailed information on creating and controlling terrain and water features.

Surface Mapping and Shading
Detailed information on applying surface maps, i.e. texturing, in Terragen 4. This section is oriented toward surface maps as applied to terrain, but much of the information also applies to object texturing.

Terragen 4 Animation Guide
This is a guide to using the Animation functions in Terragen. It has information and tutorials about creating animations using TG4.

The Library
This is a guide to using the Library and Library window in TG4.

Network View Guide
This is a guide to using the Network View in TG4.

Painted Shader Guide
This guide explains how to use and get the most out of the Painted Shader.

Populator Guide
This is a guide to using Populator nodes. Populator nodes help you to quickly and efficiently add many objects, such as trees, to a scene.

Working with Clip Files
This page introduces Clip files, how to create them and how to use them. Clip files let you save nodes or collections of nodes so you can use them again or send them to others.

Working with Objects
This is a guide to working with objects in TG4. It covers topics such as importing objects, creating objects, manipulating them in the 3D Preview and much more.

A Guide to Rendering with Ray Trace Objects and Defer Atmo/Cloud
How and when to use the rendering options "Ray trace objects", "Defer atmo/cloud" and "Ray trace everything".

FAQs and Troubleshooting

Clouds Following Terrain Tutorial
Get an in-depth understanding of the new cloud control functions in Terragen with this tutorial by Martin Huisman

Reference[edit]

Terragen Node Reference
Describes all the Terragen 4 nodes.

Glossary
The Glossary explains terms relevant to Terragen.

Input Settings Reference
Lists all the input settings, such as mouse clicks and hot keys, that can be used in various views. You can find the input settings for TG4 here.

Menu Reference
Describes the menus in the Terragen 4's menubar. You can read about Terragen 4's menus here.

Window Reference
Describes the different windows used in Terragen 4.

Animation Module Reference

Gives an overview of the Animation Module as well as a reference for animation related windows and views.

Import-Export Reference

This reference describes TG4s import and export capabilities.

Gathering Projects Reference

Describes the project gathering process, which allows you to gather a project and related assets into a single folder.

Global Illumination

Explains what Global Illumination is and how to use it in Terragen 4.

Render Layers and Render Elements (Terragen 4 Professional)

Explains the Render Layers system in Terragen 4 Professional, including Render Elements.

Preferences

Describes Terragen 4's preferences, which let you customise how the application behaves. You can find out about Terragen 4's preferences here.

Command Line Reference

How to run Terragen 4 from the command line on Windows, Mac and Linux, and descriptions of all the command line options.

Terragen Resources[edit]

Terragen Resource List

Find Terragen-compatible software, 3D models, content, and other resources.

Terragen Community-Generated Content[edit]

Using Terragen 2
A quick overview of using TG2.

Terragen 2/3 Tips and Tricks
Some quick tips and tricks for using TG2.

Terragen 2/3 Tutorials
A list of tutorials, from beginning to advanced, to take you through how to do certain things with TG2.

Tutorial planning Area
A list of planned or desired tutorials

Objects and Object Collections
A list of objects created for Terragen by the community and a list of stores and collections available for free or at a cost.

Deprecated items are still supported and available to use but their use is not recommended. Such items will be removed at some point in the future. In most cases an alternative is recommended and that should be used instead.