The simplest way I can think of would be to use a vector graphics renderer to render each contour area (coloured based on height, ordered from lowest to highest) into an image. This image could then be used as a heightmap from which you could create a model in the usual way.

Quote:Original post by smoke007
Isn't there a straightforward way how to create the model directly from contour lines?

Nope, not with Direct3D. The API itself only really understand triangles for the sort of rendering you're after; you can technically render lines but they'll all be single-pixel thickness and it can't fill in the gaps between lines (e.g. some sort of 'surface fill' feature).

Ultimately you have two choices -

1. Write your own algorithm that can convert your source data into triangles that D3D can handle.

2. Find a tool, or modify you're existing toolset, such that you can provide your D3D code with a pre-triangulated mesh.


If you literally only have a set of polylines and no adjacency/context for any given polyline I would imagine #1 will be non-trivial. If, however you know some sort of adjacency (e.g. which polyline represents the next highest contour)then creating a triangle strip for each contour could be quite straight forward.


hth
Jack