Applying aerial to topo

PTocco

Hi, I'm running Sketchup Pro 8 WinXP and would like to paste an aerial image onto a topographic surface. I created the contours in Autocad then imported to SU and had no trouble creating the surface witht the Sandbox tool. But when I apply the aerial jpg, it fragments into many "splinters", each oriented differently. I know I've seen it done where an image is mapped to a contoured surface but I don't remember it. I have searched but havn't found the answer yet. I tried Alt-clicking the texture and selecting "projected" but that didn't help. Does anybody know the correct procedure?

Thanks

PTocco

I figured it out. I just didn't apply "projected texture" properly. I applied the aerial map to a large flat surfce and placed it right above the topo surface. Then I right clicked the flat textured surface and selected Projected. Then I alt-clicked the Paint Bucket onto the flat surface, it becomes an eye dropper, then I apply that to the topo surface and voila.

Gaieus

First of all, draw a big rectangle (or any kind of shape your terrain is) exactly above the terrain. Import the image, position it on this face accurately then right click > texture > Projected...

Now sample this projected image with the Alt+ tool (it will turn into an eyedropper) and paint the surface of your terrain (if it is a group, edit it to access the raw geometry inside as projected material will not work on groups).

Finally delete the rectangle.

Gaieus

Speaking of cross posting...

mozzie

There're a couple of useful videos that demonstrate painting onto a topo at "Go 2 School".
For the eyedropper ...
http://www.go-2-school.com/media/view/37
and for a tiling technique
http://www.go-2-school.com/media/view/1
The videos are specifically for projecting colour images onto GE terrain in SU6 & 7, but the methods work for what you want to do.

Hearbirds

@gaieus said:

(if it is a group, edit it to access the raw geometry inside as projected material will not work on groups).

Yes! thank you G, no one ever mentioned that

panixia

usually fredo's topo shaper + trhu paint (quad mapping metod) lead to better results. i strongly suggest to give it a try..