User-controlled OCAD Conversion

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If an automatic OCAD conversion doesn't produce the result you need, you can do a user-controlled conversion. During this conversion method, you proceed through 7 steps and see the status. If something need to get changed, you can do that.

 

During the different steps of the conversion, you can save the conversion as a CNV file. CNV files let you later go back to a specific conversion step, if you discover that something wasn't completely right during the previous conversion. For maps with complicated contours, it can for example save lots of time to save the conversion as a CNV file at step 3!

 

To proceed to the next conversion step, select Convert/Run Next Step (or press the F5 key).

 

To proceed with all the remaining steps of the conversion, select Convert/Run To Finish (or press the F6 key).

 

To go back to an earlier conversion step, select Convert/Prev Step.

 

Selecting Symbol List for the conversion

 

If you're planning to make changes to the symbol list during the conversion, you might ask yourself if it's a permanent change (that should be used for every file from hereafter) you want or if it's a change only for this OCAD map.

 

If it's a permanent change, save over the default symbol set.

 

If it's a local change for the current OCAD file only, you have two different options:

1. Make a copy of the default symbol set file (located in the Editor folder) to another name, for example named the same as the map. Work with that copy instead and save your symbol set changes to that one. You will find more information on how to do this here..

or

2. Work with the default symbol set file, make a local change at step 2 of the conversion, but don't save the changes when you proceed to the next step.

 

For larger maps, method 1 is more flexible and safer.

 

 

The Conversion Menus

 

If you need to know what the different menu choices do in the OCAD Conversion window, look in the Menu Items section.

 

 

The 7 Conversion Steps

 

1. Area To Convert

Lets you set the conversion areas for the 3D terrain and 2D map.


2. Check Symbol Set

Defines how the OCAD symbols on the map should be interpreted.


3. Downhill Directions

Lets you verify and set the uphill and downhill directions of the contours.


4. Check Contour Heights

Displays the relative heights for each contour line. If needed, the heights can be changed numerically.


5. Height Map

Generates a 3D height map where you can remove areas where you don't want terrain details.


6. Create Terrain

Generates the triangles for the 3D terrain.

No Editing Possible

7. Set Veggies

Sets vegetation and completes the conversion.

No Editing Possible



Catching Features v 1.3 OCAD Converter Reference
Jari W. 2007-05-06