Program

Description

A simple freeware renderer that doesn't attempt to use the fractalization or texturing techniques of more advanced programs. Nevertheless can produce nice images and useful for its extensive support for DEM format imports.

Bryce

Landscape renderer from Metacreations. Has something of a cult following possibly in part due to its Mac origin and idiosyncratic interface. More of a raytracer that offers extensive support for terrains than a dedicated terrain rendering program it tends to produce images with a noticably 'Brycian' feel. Has a good procedural texture editor for generating terrains and a height field editor. The 4.0 version can finally import DEMs.

GenesisII

Currently our favourite renderer for general use, despite (or possibly because of) it's strong pitch to Geographic Information Systems community and hence an emphasis on real landscapes. The only renderer to offer extensive support for GIS systems (MapInfo, ArcView and the like) which gives it the best capabilities for rendering rural (as opposed to wilderness) landscapes. Good atmosphere model and vegetation support, although not as strong with the near-field as some other renderers. Largely freeware, although GIS users will require the commercial package ($300)

Kashmir 3D

A Japanese terrain renderer, although available in English. Landscape quality is only Vistapro quality, but has some interesting features not seen in other packages (GPS support and Depth of Focus for example).

Leveller

More of a heightfield editor than a terrain management thing, it has simple tools for editing height fields and can read/write many common image formats. The latest version includes a raytracer.

Terragen

A renderer that generates spectacularly realistic images of mountain terrains. At present rather limited by it's lack of features (no vegetation for example) but undoubtably has the best atmospheric model of any programs here (although GenesisII runs it close).

Vistapro

The classic landscape visualization program originally developed for the Amiga and later ported to the PC. Unfortunatly Vistapro has failed to keep up with the competition and results just do not compare with any of the other renderers here. What happened?

Wilbur

Primarily another heightfield editor, but with some nice 2D support. .Generates synthetic terrains using plasma or procedural texture algorithms. Has direct sample-level editing and global manipulation features. Read data in USGS DEM format, generic binary format (you specify the data), and others.

An expensive (~$800) package aimed primarily at professional 3D artists. WorldBuilder takes a very different approach to terrain definition from most other programs here using a system of splines and effectors. Sometimes criticised as producing more of a landscape painting than photographic images, it's still probably the system of choice for rendering realistic near-field landscapes.