How do custom heighmaps work

[Cresign]

Hi, could someone explain to me how to create custom terrain using heightmap files? To me its just a bunch of scary numbers, help would be appreciated

 

[Altaïr]

I made an explanation here long ago:
The Homestead system

That can be a good start.

 

[Cresign]

I made an explanation here long ago:
The Homestead system

That can be a good start.

Ohhh i see, if i understood correctly its basically mapping out points by what fraction of the max-height-the-feature-has they are, am i right?

 

[Altaïr]

Ohhh i see, if i understood correctly its basically mapping out points by what fraction of the max-height-the-feature-has they are, am i right?

Yes, exactly. You can even design your terrain using a soft like Excel to generate an array of points.