I Used this method to quickly create a 3d model based on a terrain I built in SL (I wanted it for experimenting in VastPark and Unity)
- Export a RAW terrain file from SecondLife. You need to be estate owner or ask the estate owner to do this.. (Region/estate menu –> terrain –> Download RAW terrain)
- Open the RAW file in PhotoShop using the following import settings: 256×256, no header, 13 interleaved channels.
- turn off all but red channel (should look like a greyscale version of the sim from the air)
- select all and cut and past into a new file so you only have this grayscale channel as a single layer
- save out as a Targa file, 24 bit
- follow the instructions on the following page, starting at the heading–> “Create grid and add the image as texture”: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/Making_Landscapes_with_heightmaps BUT I recommend ‘unwrapping’ the mesh when it is a flat grid for UV texturing later (so unwrap and create UV image before you start to click the noise button)
- texture by painting the UV or using the technique outlined here: http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Blender_3D:_Noob_to_Pro/Landscape_Modeling_II:_Texture_Stenciling (which will allow you to replicate SL style land texturing by painting areas where different textures will blend across the terrain surface