SplineLand Manual

SplineLand is a plugin for Autodesk 3ds Max that helps to generate topographically accurate terrains from a set of splines. Without SplineLand it is almost impossible to achieve accurate results in 3ds Max. Now you can do it quickly, in just a few clicks your topographical data can become a terrain. Splines can be topographic contours in one plane each, or they can have any arbitrary geometry. SplineLand includes the following functions:

  • Creation of precise and topologically correct relief
  • Possibility to use any types of splines, including open splines
  • With SplineLand you can lay roads over the terrain as well as create and level areas, generate bedding and ground cuts at selected angles and heights
  • Possibility to assign ID to various terrain details
  • Control over grid density

Installation

System requirements

3ds Max versions: 2009, 2010, 2011, 1012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024

3ds Max Design: all

OS: Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7, 8, 10, 11 all 32 and 64 bit.

Please note:

User must have local administrator rights with Windows XP to use SplineLand.

on Windows 7 administrator rights needed only during installation

Installation

Please make sure you downloaded latest version of the plug-in from our forum.

Users are provided with the same installation file for both Workstation and Render node

SplineLand-x.xxx.exe

Workstation can be used only when license is properly installed, and provides access to all SplineLand options.

If SplineLand does not find license file it switches itself to Rendernode mode and only can open and render files created with SplineLand Workstation.

Rendering is available both locally and over network.

To install the program you need to run the SplineLand-x.xxx.exe with the administrator rights. (In windows 7 right click “run as administrator”)

 Installation wizard

Don’t forget to quit 3ds max before you start the installation. (please check Task Manager too for any running instances of 3ds max)

 Check license agreement

Read carefully the license agreement. If you accept it tick “I accept” and then press setup button; if not, press “Cancel” button.

 Choose 3ds max version

Choose 3ds max version you use.

 Check paths

The setup wizard will automatically select destination folder for 3ds max. Check the path where 3ds max is installed and correct it if needed.

 install log

“Run R&D Group License Tool” is automatically selected, you only need to run it and activate once, there is no need activate again if you are updating plugin, unless it prompts you during usage.

Registration

Uninstall

To uninstall SplineLand versions 1.0.7 and below, just remove Landform.dlm from /Plugins folder in your 3ds max installation location.

For versions 1.034 and above please run Uninstall tool

Installing for network or distributed rendering

For network rendering just install the same file SplineLand.exe. Installation procedure is the same as for the Workstation, but skipping Registration process. Rendernodes do not require registration.

Submission for network or distributed rendering should be done from the PC with the registered version of SplineLand. The rest of render nodes involved in the network or distributed rendering do not need to be registered

Each SplineLand license comes with unlimited render nodes.

manual installation on render nodes:

install 1 machine with the exe file then copy following file to other rendernodes from that machine carefully (provided they are identical machines):

\plugins\SplineLand.dlm

Getting started

SplineLand creation

To create SplineLand go to Create>Geometry>SplineLand>SplineLand

 SplineLand creation panel

After SplineLand has been created, go to the Modify panel and select terrain modelling splines. Do not delete original versions of splines after selecting them as SplineLand. It is recommended to keep them in hidden layer.

 Splines window

The Splines window is responsible for creation of the base for the future terrain. You can select any spline from the scene. After all required objects have been selected, right click or press the Add Object button again.

You can delete all unnecessary objects by clicking Remove. There is also a possibility to assign an ID to the basic material here, if necessary.

Creating roads and platforms

 Platforms window

The Platforms window is responsible for creation of different paths and platforms on the terrain surface. Any geometric object can be selected for these purposes (Editable Mesh or Editable Poly). After all required objects have been selected, right click or press the Add Object button again.

You can delete all unnecessary splines by clicking Remove.

After selecting a specific platform, you can proceed to its customisation.

The Up Slope is responsible for tilting of ground cut above platform. The Down Slope is responsible for tilting of bedding course beneath platform. It is worth pointing out that the slope gradient ranges from 5 to 85 degrees. You can assign different Material IDs to platform, ground cut and bedding course.

Base ID assigns ID to horizontal plane of the platform.

Up Slope ID and Base Slope ID are responsible for assigning IDs to ground cut and bedding course, respectively.

Generating terrain

 Parameters window

Users can set up any number of iterations, as required. However, for slower PCs it is not recommended to set the value higher than 13. Dummy size is also set up in the Parameters window.

After all splines have been arranged as required, click Generate Surface to create terrain. In case of any alterations to the original splines or platform geometry, terrain needs to be regenerated once again.

SplineLand modifier (WSM)

 modifier

The plugin also includes the SplineLand modifier. This tool is necessary if you want to apply pre-generated terrain to any geometry. Note that terrain “duplication” is a real-time process. The modifier is rather simple in use. Select any geometry, apply the SplineLand modifier to it, and assign an object to terrain in the Param scroll.

Troubleshooting

License errors

In case of license malfunction and errors (which can be caused by disk reformatting, re installation of the operating system or components replacement) you are free to address the developer at any time by sending your request for a new *.key file to the e-mail support@icube3d.com

However, in case of total replacement of a PC we reserve the right to not provide a new license more often than once in half a year.

Installation problems

 install log

make sure 3ds max is not running, (please double check in task manager too)

make sure you are installing with administrator rights (in windows 7 right click “run as administrator” even if you are logged in as admin)

make sure you choose right path for you 3ds max version

Dll errors

  • Error Loading Dlls
  • Dll failed to initialize.
  • Error sode 126 - The specified module could not be found

please make sure you have Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package 32bit or 64bit installed

Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x86)http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=5555

Microsoft Visual C++ 2010 Redistributable Package (x64) http://www.microsoft.com/en-gb/download/details.aspx?id=14632

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