Overview
Height maps in Three.js are grayscale images that define the elevation of terrain in a scene. By applying a height map to a plane geometry, you can generate realistic landscapes, including mountains, valleys, and other geographical features.
Key Features:
- Realistic Terrain Generation: Use height maps to create detailed, natural-looking environments.
- Ease of Use: Height maps can be easily created in image editing software and applied to geometry in Three.js.
- Customizable Detail: Adjust the resolution and scale of height maps to control the level of detail in your terrain.
Use Cases:
- Game Environments: Create expansive, realistic landscapes for open-world games.
- Architectural Visualization: Simulate real-world terrains for architectural projects and land planning.
Getting Started:
To create terrain using a height map, load your height map image and apply it to plane geometry:
import { TextureLoader, PlaneGeometry, MeshStandardMaterial, Mesh } from 'three';
const textureLoader = new TextureLoader();
const heightMap = textureLoader.load('path/to/heightmap.png');
const geometry = new PlaneGeometry(100, 100, 256, 256);
geometry.rotateX(-Math.PI / 2);
geometry.computeVertexNormals();
const material = new MeshStandardMaterial({ displacementMap: heightMap, displacementScale: 10 });
const mesh = new Mesh(geometry, material);
scene.add(mesh);
Conclusion:
Height maps in Three.js provide an efficient way to create detailed and realistic terrain, making them essential for applications requiring natural environments.