FAQ 2   -   OUTPUT & IMAGE EXPORT
Q.	Why won't a saved BMP image display in Photoshop?
A.	There is a compatibility problem with Photoshop when displaying 16 bit and 32 bit images. Either save into a different format (TIFF or TGA) or use a different bit depth.
Q.	Why does the image look slightly different in a paint program than in MapRender3D?
A.	Different paint programs display the same image in different ways. The underlying bitmap is not affected.
Q.	How is image export in 3D mode different from 2D export?
A.	Exporting a 2D render from MR3D is a pixel to pixel transfer. The best thing to do is render the image at default export settings full size and then do your resizing in Photoshop. Rendering in 3D is different. Think of it more of a "screen dump" function. What this means is that the amount of zoom you have WILL affect the size of the map when you output it to a TIFF. You want to get the image to the rotation angle and zoom you want and then render it out. To adjust the zoom, use the magnifying glass buttons on the tool bar, or use View > Zoom and pick a specific level of Zoom, or use View > Zoom In.
Q.	Why is the exported image quality poor when resizing an image created in Bitmap Mode?
A.	The Windows stretch functions are used to resize bitmap images, and this often leads to poor results. To solve this problem, export the image at its original export default resolution, and use Photoshop or another paint program to resize the image. Paint programs often use more sophisticated resizing methods than those used by Windows.
Q.	How do I create gray scale images for use in Bryce, VistaPro etc.?
A.	Some 3D landscape modelling programs require 8 bit gray-scale images to be used as the landscape map, usually with white as high and black as low. To create such images import a DEM into MapRender3D setting the min and max levels after loading. Remove all colors from the color gradient apart from the top and bottom ones, which should be white and black respectively. Ensure that the gradient is set to linear and 'no shading' is selected under the Map menu option. Now use the export image option to create an image file in the appropriate format.
Q.	How do I drape a texture over the terrain?
A.	The first item to determine is the exact pixel or point size of the DEM based map being generated. Run the normal MapRender3D rendering operation and apply a Style from the library to verify the coverage of the area. You can check the width and height from either the dialog box (bottom right corner) or by opening the FILE > INFO dialog box. If you know the exact latitude and longitude coordinates of the DEM, then you should crop the aerial photography or satellite imagery to the exact same coordinates, and resample the imagery to make it exactly the same pixel size as the rendered map - all of this can be accomplished using Adobe Photoshop. Save the imagery or texture as a BMP or TIFF format. Returning to MapRender3D, the FILE > LOAD TEXTURE and load the texture or imagery. You will not see anything change until you select TEXTURE in the Dialog box under FROM. At this point, you can opt to view in 3D view mode and modify Exaggeration Factor - typically in 3D mode, the factor is more realistic when in the range 0.3 to 0.8. Export the rendered texture map as TIFF and modify again in Photoshop or similar image editor. One typical sequence might involve rendering the normal land terrain in MR3D, exporting the land image, then opening a same area Adobe Illustrator (or FreeHand) vector map with borders, rivers, roads and rail, and place the MR3D image into an the bottom layer. Export the composite map from Illustrator as a TIFF image making sure the pixel size of the resulting image matches the original map points / pixels. Reopen MR3D and load the Illustrator exported TIFF map as a texture. You will note that borders, roads and other geo-political features disappear behind the mountains.
Q.	How can I print directly from MapRender3D?
A.	For best results we would recommend that you output the image to bitmap and use a photo-editing application ( Such as Adobe Photoshop or Corel PhotoPaint) to modify or enhance the image, then print the texture map.
Q.	INPUT & DATA IMPORT
A.	Issues and FAQ's relating to data import....... more details
Q.	MAP PROJECTION
A.	Issues and FAQ's relating to map projections....... more details
Q.	MAPRENDER3D OPERATIONS
A.	Issues and FAQ's relating to running the MapRender3D application....... more details