One of the main features that I have always wanted in a terrain software application is composite weightmap mask creation.
Sure, one can always save multiple masks to files and then use an external graphics application like PhotoShop to combine them, but that is so many extra steps. And if the heightmap is later tweaked and modified then the entire external mask composite process must also be repeated again in the graphics software.
TerreSculptor's Weightmap Generator includes a Composite feature that supports up to four of any of the built-in mask types composited in any order. These masks are then combined in sets of two with each pair using any one of 17 different methods including Add, Subtract, And, Or, Dodge, Burn, and more, plus a B-Mask level setting. The final weightmap mask can be adjusted using two types of smoothing, and also with brightness, contrast, gamma controls.
Placing a Weightmap Generator onto the World Stack and providing the weightmap settings results in that weightmap being automatically recreated on every terrain build and every future modification.
This is a simple example of only two masks in the combiner. Note that the final release version of the dialog may differ slightly in appearance.
The heightmap is a Digital Elevation Model sourced from the USGS. Mask A is by Altitude, highlighting the upper altitudes. Mask B is by Direction, highlighting the ESE direction. The two masks are combined using an And operand so that the resulting mask is only all of the terrain faces that are ESE facing at upper altitudes, perfect for a snow covered mountains weightmap mask. The final mask is then gaussian smoothed at 50% with a 3x3 window, and adjusted in gamma by 3.0.
Mask A: Altitude above 38000.
Mask B: Direction ESE.
The final Composite mask: upper altitudes facing ESE.
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