Dynamic Terrains

I am exploring the usage of dynamic terrains through LSL scripting functions and automated uploading of RAW files to depict the real-time morphing of terrain-like systems. This could be useful in the instruction of geology, land erosion or even depicting the interaction of field maps... such as those used to describe magnetic field interactions.

llModifyLand is very limited in function and not too precise, so has anyone tried automatically swapping out RAW height maps to create a constantly changing terrain? Much as you might swap out gif files for an animated gif.

Sadly there is no way to dynamically change terrains in Second Life other than with llModifyLand.

I'm a terraformer by trade and it would be great to be able to script region-wide terrain changes. Unfortunately it's a fairly niche requirement so we're not likely to see such a capability introduced soon.

There are however various alternatives and I've had a degree of success using sculpted mega prims to demo terrains. Level of detail isn't quite what you'd get with a RAW terrain upload but it is usually enough to get the message across.

Good luck!

It should be possible using a bot - see http://www.libsecondlife.org
It is only about 50 times more complicated and 100 times less documented than scripting...

Thanks, Ashmuel. Sadly, it's the slow animated morphing I was looking for. Thanks for reducing my search time for the answer. I'll try linking array grids of parent/child objects to see if I can use llModifyLand to achieve the effect I'm looking for over a wide area, but I'm also going to check with the creators of Open Croquet to see if they have this capability. Are you familiar with any other virtual worlds in which this might be possible?

Personally I'd say the best way really is just a grid of boxes using llModifyLand to raise and lower each section as needed..

the scripting would be horrid to get perfect, and it might cause a bit of lag (Not sure there) but damn it could look cool.

But the Bot account would have to own the sim, because only the sim owner can upload a .raw file. That isn't a capability you can assign to anyone else.

Changing out a .raw file takes several seconds, and is not a terribly smooth process. It wouldn't work well for 'animating' terrain changes, even if you scripted a .bot to do it.

Here's a thought. Use a megaprim, and script changes in a sculpt map applied to the megaprim? You wouldn't be able to walk on the surface, but you could have an observable area that would change. The resolution limits for sculpties would mean you couldn't cover a whole sim and get the same resolution possible with real terrain, but it is a step in the direction the OP was seeking to go.

I think that a megaprim might be the closest I can get. I already know how to morph objects in RT through swapping out sculpted textures. I supposed that I could also include a script to reposition objects so that they look as if they're responding to the changes in the terrain (e.g. like a ball that rolls with the changing contours of the prim).

This is exactly the thread I was hoping for, but disappointed. Please post more if anyone develops ideas - and a demonstration - of how this can work.

I have a volcano on island Aphrodite Body and a lava "flow" that I change each day - it is gradually moving towards a small town, some buildings are on fire.

I would love to be able to script such dynamic events. This is what makes the world interesting. (Hurricane anyone?)

- D

I know this is entirely possible to do on an OpenSim grid. And relatively easy to get going.
http://opensimulator.org/wiki/Main_Page
You can, as I have, create the heightmaps and swap them in and out, raise, lower etc with simple text script-files.
You create the script-file with what you want done and simply run the command-script filename and its done. (In the time it takes to draw, obviously)
I use scripts to go from island landscape to moonscape and back again. I don't know about timing the scripts but it's probably doable. The OpenSim devs might even like the idea and add it if asked nicely. You could easily copy and paste each landscape change into the terminal window every few seconds.
I don't know about scripting the terrain textures. (yet)
All this, at least for testing on a home based grid with no lag before implementing into SL.