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UltraScenery Experiments and Experiences

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  • ArtiniArtini Posts: 10,283

    Thanks for the tips, Tiffanie.

     

  • PitmaticPitmatic Posts: 995
    edited May 2023

    I recently got the Britain Botanica bundle and want to create an open area with bluebells surrounded by trees for my character but what would the best option for this be? I only have one ecology with bluebells and the tree cover is too dense, is there a nice visual way of doing this without my aged PC crying foul :) 

    I relay liked the understory promo scene but I seem to be struggling to create something similar.

     

     

    Post edited by Pitmatic on
  • barbultbarbult Posts: 26,156
    Use a layer mask on the tree layers in the Build tab. Black in the layer mask image prevents that layer from populating that area. White in the layer mask tells Ultrascenery that it is OK to populate that area if so defined by the ecology and feature. CODE66 toolbox products help create layer masks, but you can make them manually.
  • DoctorJellybeanDoctorJellybean Posts: 9,585

    Is it possible to change the colour of the Base Grass? I'd like the grass autumnal to match the autumnal trees.

  • barbultbarbult Posts: 26,156
    edited June 2023

    In the Surfaces pane you can modify the base grass color settings, just like you would any other Daz Studio prop. Or you could use Alienator Pro to substitute a different grass prop. I'd go with Surfaces settings.

    Modified Surface Settings

    Original Green

    Grasslands 01 Dry.jpg
    2000 x 1125 - 2M
    Grasslands 01 Green.jpg
    2000 x 1125 - 2M
    Post edited by barbult on
  • ShimrianShimrian Posts: 581
    edited August 2023

    Thank you so much for creating this thread @barbult! I'm only on page 2 (or maybe 3) so far, but after 4 days and my own experiments I created a nice little Mesozoic era ecology! I had Ultrascenery in my library for months before actually getting around to using it (along with a couple of Daz+ freebies that fit the era).  

    My attempt at a morning view of this semi realistic ecology in Ultrascenery (and UltrasceneryXT with conifers pretending to be Wollemi Pine Trees in the background):

    Mesozoic era

    What's awesome is that I can continue to use my newly saved ecology and work through the toolbox 1 & 2 (from @Code 66) to help create my dinosaur scene. It totally makes me appreciate the work that Howie and others have put into creating packaged ecologies. 

    Link to the image in my Gallery if anyone wants to add comments or make suggestions on how I can improve my ecology. Thanks and happy rendering!

    Edit: Also wanted to add that after creating this I have a ton of new respect on how much work goes into creating all these wonderful ecologies in the store. I can't wait to buy more of them, especially the bundles! The only new ecology I'm probably going to attempt after this Mesozoic era one is one for Roshar (a planet with a unique ecology in a fantasy book series).

    Post edited by Shimrian on
  • barbultbarbult Posts: 26,156
    It's great to hear that the thread was helpful to you. Most was written before the toolboxes were available, so some things are easier now with the toolboxes. Your first ecology looks very successful. Keep having fun!
  • barbultbarbult Posts: 26,156
    edited January 2024

    Some Thoughts on UltraScenery JSON Files
    (Originally posted in the UltraScenery commercial thread) 

    UltraScenery JSON files - what they are, where they are, how to edit them

    1. What are UltraScenery JSON files?
      They are files used to describe the content of Features and Ecologies.
      • For Ecologies, the JSON file defines
        • the name of the ecology and the base materials that apply to the terrain for that ecology
        • the "layers" used in the ecology (grass, trees, rocks, pebbles, etc.). These are the layers that show up on the UltraScenery Build tab.
        • the props files used in each layer (tree props, grass props, etc.)
        • the distribution of those props within the layer (spacing, size, rotation, etc),
        • the relation of the layer to other layers (affinity). This controls how close and how far the layer instances can be placed relative to the instances of the other layer(s).
      • For Features, the JSON file defines
        • the name of the feature.
        • terrain maps that alter the shape of the UltraScenery terrain to accommodate the feature elements (paths, rivers, roads, etc.).
        • materials the define the textures used on the paths, roads, etc.
        • any props used by the feature (bridges, fences, etc.)
    2. Where are the UltraScenery JSON files?
      They are located in your content library in \Environments\Landscapes\UltraScenery\Ecologies subfolders and \Environments\Landscapes\UltraScenery\Features subfolders. There is a subfolder for each ecology and each feature. You must NOT move them. You must NOT install from within Daz Studio, becasue that puts the files in the wrong location. Installation of all UltraScenery products with DIM is best.
    3. How are UltraScenery JSON files edited?
      JSON files are plain text files that can be edited with any text editor. On a PC, the free Notepad++ is an excellent way to edit these files. JSON files follow a strict format. It is very easy to make a mistake that causes the file to not work at all. There is an online JSON validator to help you check your edits to be sure they are valid JSON. That doesn't mean they are valid UltraScenery files, because UltraScenery expects particular elements in the JSON files. In summary, you must be careful! If you totally mess up, reinstall the package from DIM.

    When I get a chance, I will incorporate this information in my UltraScenery Experiments and Experiences thread. That thread has a lot of information about UltraScenery and things I've done with it. UltraScenery is a fantastic and flexible ecosystem created by HowieFarkes. It is the most enjoyable product series I have ever purchased for Daz Studio.

    Post edited by barbult on
  • DreamWeeverDreamWeever Posts: 191

    barbult said:

    I am now using Daz Studio 4.15.0.14 Public Beta and UltraSceneCreator 1.3.3.1 with the Accelerator 1.0.2.4.

    Experiment: Create a New UltraScenery Feature with Added Props (Railroad Track)

    1) Refer to the previous experiment (Create a New UltraScenery Feature (Paved Road) for info on creating a Feature.

    2) I am going to lay down my track on a flat square plane first, so I have an idea where to create the areas for my height maps and terrain surface masks. I am going to use the track pieces from Modular Railway Track Set in the Daz Store. Let my warn you right now, the curves in that set are too tight for any "real" train to navigate, in my opinion. I used nothing larger than 5 degrees, and it was still really too tight.

    1. Create an UltraScene with the terrain set to Brightness -100, _No Features, and Grassland 1 Ecology. The goal is to have a perfectly flat UltraScenery Terrain. When building the scene, uncheck all of the vegetation layers. You don't need any plants for this step; they just get in the way and make things slower than necessary.
    2. Place your selected railway track props on the UltraScene Terrain, being careful to connect them smoothly.
    3. Save your scene.
    4. Set the viewport view to Top View. Do not use a perspective camera and look down from the top. You need to use the built in Top View to get an orthographic, not distorted, view of the terrain square. Zoom out to show the whole terrain square in the viewport.
    5. Take a screenshot of the terrain square in the viewport. You want to select a square including the entire terrain and nothing else. This will be the guide for creating all of your height maps and surface masks. You can see where your train track is on the terrain.
    6. In a photo editor, use the terrain screenshot as the guide for creating the height maps and surface masks for the Feature.
    7. Edit the info.json file for the feature to use the newly created height maps and masks. I created my height maps to create a flat area where the track goes. I set the height to "absolute" 200 for my main flat track area height map and "relative" 33 for a second center-of-the-track height map to make the bed slightly humped up in the middle.
    8. Save the updated info.json file.

    3) Test the new Feature and adjust maps and masks as necessary.

    1. If you don't still have the rail road track props in your scene, open the file you previously saved with the tracks.
    2. Run UltraSceneCreator and build a scene with your new Feature.
    3. You will probably find the tracks buried below ground because of the height map settings. Raise the props up and verify that your height maps and surface masks are appropriate. I had to try and try again several times to get things to my satisfaction. It is all subjective. Just make it the way YOU want it.

    4) Add the track pieces as Props in the Feature, so UltraSceneCreator places the track in the scene

    1. Heaven forbid that we would have to manually place those track props in the scene every time we use the new Feature!!!!! We need the Feature to add the props in the right place for us!!!!!
    2. Examine the info.json file of an existing Feature that places props into the scene. Any of them with boardwalks would be a good example. Aha, we see that there is a "props" section in the file. There is a whole list of individual props and their locations (position, rotation and scale) in the scene.
    3. Copy the "props" section (many lines of code) from one of those Features and paste it into you new Feature to use as a guide to how to enter the list of props.
    4. Save the info.json file.
    5. In Daz Studio:
      • Select all of the train track props that you manually added to the scene
      • Select Create>New Group from the menu.
      • Name the group UltraScene Feature Props
      • Select Parent Selected Item(s) to New Group
      • After the group is created, make it a child of UltraScene Terrain in the Scene pane.
    6. Save the Scene.
    7. In Daz Studio, open the Parameters pane so you can see the translation, rotation and scale of selected items in the Scene pane.
    8. For each section of train track, select it in the Scene pane, one section at a time. Remember that the track props are now part of a group that is a child of UltraScene Terrain.
    9. For each section of train track:
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "path" settings to the path of the train track piece used.
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "position", "rotation", and "scale" settings to the values shown in the Parameters pane for that selected track piece.
      • If you need more prop sections in the info.json file, copy and paste one of the existing ones. If you have too many, delete the extra. Be careful to end the list without a trailing comma for correct json code. Use the JSON validator to check if necessary - always a good idea.
    10. Save the info.json file.

    5) Test the new Feature and be sure the track is placed correctly.

    Here is a render of my curved RR Track Feature with the Parkside Freight train on the tracks:

     

    Hi @Barbult just wanted to ask if this trick will work with US2 as I have a render I wnat to do but need the larger size of US2 to pull it off  

  • barbultbarbult Posts: 26,156

    DreamWeever said:

    barbult said:

    I am now using Daz Studio 4.15.0.14 Public Beta and UltraSceneCreator 1.3.3.1 with the Accelerator 1.0.2.4.

    Experiment: Create a New UltraScenery Feature with Added Props (Railroad Track)

    1) Refer to the previous experiment (Create a New UltraScenery Feature (Paved Road) for info on creating a Feature.

    2) I am going to lay down my track on a flat square plane first, so I have an idea where to create the areas for my height maps and terrain surface masks. I am going to use the track pieces from Modular Railway Track Set in the Daz Store. Let my warn you right now, the curves in that set are too tight for any "real" train to navigate, in my opinion. I used nothing larger than 5 degrees, and it was still really too tight.

    1. Create an UltraScene with the terrain set to Brightness -100, _No Features, and Grassland 1 Ecology. The goal is to have a perfectly flat UltraScenery Terrain. When building the scene, uncheck all of the vegetation layers. You don't need any plants for this step; they just get in the way and make things slower than necessary.
    2. Place your selected railway track props on the UltraScene Terrain, being careful to connect them smoothly.
    3. Save your scene.
    4. Set the viewport view to Top View. Do not use a perspective camera and look down from the top. You need to use the built in Top View to get an orthographic, not distorted, view of the terrain square. Zoom out to show the whole terrain square in the viewport.
    5. Take a screenshot of the terrain square in the viewport. You want to select a square including the entire terrain and nothing else. This will be the guide for creating all of your height maps and surface masks. You can see where your train track is on the terrain.
    6. In a photo editor, use the terrain screenshot as the guide for creating the height maps and surface masks for the Feature.
    7. Edit the info.json file for the feature to use the newly created height maps and masks. I created my height maps to create a flat area where the track goes. I set the height to "absolute" 200 for my main flat track area height map and "relative" 33 for a second center-of-the-track height map to make the bed slightly humped up in the middle.
    8. Save the updated info.json file.

    3) Test the new Feature and adjust maps and masks as necessary.

    1. If you don't still have the rail road track props in your scene, open the file you previously saved with the tracks.
    2. Run UltraSceneCreator and build a scene with your new Feature.
    3. You will probably find the tracks buried below ground because of the height map settings. Raise the props up and verify that your height maps and surface masks are appropriate. I had to try and try again several times to get things to my satisfaction. It is all subjective. Just make it the way YOU want it.

    4) Add the track pieces as Props in the Feature, so UltraSceneCreator places the track in the scene

    1. Heaven forbid that we would have to manually place those track props in the scene every time we use the new Feature!!!!! We need the Feature to add the props in the right place for us!!!!!
    2. Examine the info.json file of an existing Feature that places props into the scene. Any of them with boardwalks would be a good example. Aha, we see that there is a "props" section in the file. There is a whole list of individual props and their locations (position, rotation and scale) in the scene.
    3. Copy the "props" section (many lines of code) from one of those Features and paste it into you new Feature to use as a guide to how to enter the list of props.
    4. Save the info.json file.
    5. In Daz Studio:
      • Select all of the train track props that you manually added to the scene
      • Select Create>New Group from the menu.
      • Name the group UltraScene Feature Props
      • Select Parent Selected Item(s) to New Group
      • After the group is created, make it a child of UltraScene Terrain in the Scene pane.
    6. Save the Scene.
    7. In Daz Studio, open the Parameters pane so you can see the translation, rotation and scale of selected items in the Scene pane.
    8. For each section of train track, select it in the Scene pane, one section at a time. Remember that the track props are now part of a group that is a child of UltraScene Terrain.
    9. For each section of train track:
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "path" settings to the path of the train track piece used.
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "position", "rotation", and "scale" settings to the values shown in the Parameters pane for that selected track piece.
      • If you need more prop sections in the info.json file, copy and paste one of the existing ones. If you have too many, delete the extra. Be careful to end the list without a trailing comma for correct json code. Use the JSON validator to check if necessary - always a good idea.
    10. Save the info.json file.

    5) Test the new Feature and be sure the track is placed correctly.

    Here is a render of my curved RR Track Feature with the Parkside Freight train on the tracks:

     

    Hi @Barbult just wanted to ask if this trick will work with US2 as I have a render I wnat to do but need the larger size of US2 to pull it off  

    The concept is similar, but the Content Library location for the storage of UltraScenery2 terrain, ecology, layer, and water presets are in data\HowieFarkes\UltraScenery2 now. UltraScenery2 has Terrain presets instead of Feature presets. UltraScenery2 has biome layers that UltraScenery1 did not have. but both have ecologies. The internals of these presets have some new features, so you will need to do some experimentation and it will take some trial and error, probably. I made a new ecology preset with the Tree Pack addon, and I made a new Pond Terrain preset, so, yes, it can be done.

  • DreamWeeverDreamWeever Posts: 191

    barbult said:

    DreamWeever said:

    barbult said:

    I am now using Daz Studio 4.15.0.14 Public Beta and UltraSceneCreator 1.3.3.1 with the Accelerator 1.0.2.4.

    Experiment: Create a New UltraScenery Feature with Added Props (Railroad Track)

    1) Refer to the previous experiment (Create a New UltraScenery Feature (Paved Road) for info on creating a Feature.

    2) I am going to lay down my track on a flat square plane first, so I have an idea where to create the areas for my height maps and terrain surface masks. I am going to use the track pieces from Modular Railway Track Set in the Daz Store. Let my warn you right now, the curves in that set are too tight for any "real" train to navigate, in my opinion. I used nothing larger than 5 degrees, and it was still really too tight.

    1. Create an UltraScene with the terrain set to Brightness -100, _No Features, and Grassland 1 Ecology. The goal is to have a perfectly flat UltraScenery Terrain. When building the scene, uncheck all of the vegetation layers. You don't need any plants for this step; they just get in the way and make things slower than necessary.
    2. Place your selected railway track props on the UltraScene Terrain, being careful to connect them smoothly.
    3. Save your scene.
    4. Set the viewport view to Top View. Do not use a perspective camera and look down from the top. You need to use the built in Top View to get an orthographic, not distorted, view of the terrain square. Zoom out to show the whole terrain square in the viewport.
    5. Take a screenshot of the terrain square in the viewport. You want to select a square including the entire terrain and nothing else. This will be the guide for creating all of your height maps and surface masks. You can see where your train track is on the terrain.
    6. In a photo editor, use the terrain screenshot as the guide for creating the height maps and surface masks for the Feature.
    7. Edit the info.json file for the feature to use the newly created height maps and masks. I created my height maps to create a flat area where the track goes. I set the height to "absolute" 200 for my main flat track area height map and "relative" 33 for a second center-of-the-track height map to make the bed slightly humped up in the middle.
    8. Save the updated info.json file.

    3) Test the new Feature and adjust maps and masks as necessary.

    1. If you don't still have the rail road track props in your scene, open the file you previously saved with the tracks.
    2. Run UltraSceneCreator and build a scene with your new Feature.
    3. You will probably find the tracks buried below ground because of the height map settings. Raise the props up and verify that your height maps and surface masks are appropriate. I had to try and try again several times to get things to my satisfaction. It is all subjective. Just make it the way YOU want it.

    4) Add the track pieces as Props in the Feature, so UltraSceneCreator places the track in the scene

    1. Heaven forbid that we would have to manually place those track props in the scene every time we use the new Feature!!!!! We need the Feature to add the props in the right place for us!!!!!
    2. Examine the info.json file of an existing Feature that places props into the scene. Any of them with boardwalks would be a good example. Aha, we see that there is a "props" section in the file. There is a whole list of individual props and their locations (position, rotation and scale) in the scene.
    3. Copy the "props" section (many lines of code) from one of those Features and paste it into you new Feature to use as a guide to how to enter the list of props.
    4. Save the info.json file.
    5. In Daz Studio:
      • Select all of the train track props that you manually added to the scene
      • Select Create>New Group from the menu.
      • Name the group UltraScene Feature Props
      • Select Parent Selected Item(s) to New Group
      • After the group is created, make it a child of UltraScene Terrain in the Scene pane.
    6. Save the Scene.
    7. In Daz Studio, open the Parameters pane so you can see the translation, rotation and scale of selected items in the Scene pane.
    8. For each section of train track, select it in the Scene pane, one section at a time. Remember that the track props are now part of a group that is a child of UltraScene Terrain.
    9. For each section of train track:
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "path" settings to the path of the train track piece used.
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "position", "rotation", and "scale" settings to the values shown in the Parameters pane for that selected track piece.
      • If you need more prop sections in the info.json file, copy and paste one of the existing ones. If you have too many, delete the extra. Be careful to end the list without a trailing comma for correct json code. Use the JSON validator to check if necessary - always a good idea.
    10. Save the info.json file.

    5) Test the new Feature and be sure the track is placed correctly.

    Here is a render of my curved RR Track Feature with the Parkside Freight train on the tracks:

     

    Hi @Barbult just wanted to ask if this trick will work with US2 as I have a render I wnat to do but need the larger size of US2 to pull it off  

    The concept is similar, but the Content Library location for the storage of UltraScenery2 terrain, ecology, layer, and water presets are in data\HowieFarkes\UltraScenery2 now. UltraScenery2 has Terrain presets instead of Feature presets. UltraScenery2 has biome layers that UltraScenery1 did not have. but both have ecologies. The internals of these presets have some new features, so you will need to do some experimentation and it will take some trial and error, probably. I made a new ecology preset with the Tree Pack addon, and I made a new Pond Terrain preset, so, yes, it can be done.

    Thanks, I don't supose you have the prosses posted anywhere do you? 

  • barbultbarbult Posts: 26,156

    DreamWeever said:

    barbult said:

    DreamWeever said:

    barbult said:

    I am now using Daz Studio 4.15.0.14 Public Beta and UltraSceneCreator 1.3.3.1 with the Accelerator 1.0.2.4.

    Experiment: Create a New UltraScenery Feature with Added Props (Railroad Track)

    1) Refer to the previous experiment (Create a New UltraScenery Feature (Paved Road) for info on creating a Feature.

    2) I am going to lay down my track on a flat square plane first, so I have an idea where to create the areas for my height maps and terrain surface masks. I am going to use the track pieces from Modular Railway Track Set in the Daz Store. Let my warn you right now, the curves in that set are too tight for any "real" train to navigate, in my opinion. I used nothing larger than 5 degrees, and it was still really too tight.

    1. Create an UltraScene with the terrain set to Brightness -100, _No Features, and Grassland 1 Ecology. The goal is to have a perfectly flat UltraScenery Terrain. When building the scene, uncheck all of the vegetation layers. You don't need any plants for this step; they just get in the way and make things slower than necessary.
    2. Place your selected railway track props on the UltraScene Terrain, being careful to connect them smoothly.
    3. Save your scene.
    4. Set the viewport view to Top View. Do not use a perspective camera and look down from the top. You need to use the built in Top View to get an orthographic, not distorted, view of the terrain square. Zoom out to show the whole terrain square in the viewport.
    5. Take a screenshot of the terrain square in the viewport. You want to select a square including the entire terrain and nothing else. This will be the guide for creating all of your height maps and surface masks. You can see where your train track is on the terrain.
    6. In a photo editor, use the terrain screenshot as the guide for creating the height maps and surface masks for the Feature.
    7. Edit the info.json file for the feature to use the newly created height maps and masks. I created my height maps to create a flat area where the track goes. I set the height to "absolute" 200 for my main flat track area height map and "relative" 33 for a second center-of-the-track height map to make the bed slightly humped up in the middle.
    8. Save the updated info.json file.

    3) Test the new Feature and adjust maps and masks as necessary.

    1. If you don't still have the rail road track props in your scene, open the file you previously saved with the tracks.
    2. Run UltraSceneCreator and build a scene with your new Feature.
    3. You will probably find the tracks buried below ground because of the height map settings. Raise the props up and verify that your height maps and surface masks are appropriate. I had to try and try again several times to get things to my satisfaction. It is all subjective. Just make it the way YOU want it.

    4) Add the track pieces as Props in the Feature, so UltraSceneCreator places the track in the scene

    1. Heaven forbid that we would have to manually place those track props in the scene every time we use the new Feature!!!!! We need the Feature to add the props in the right place for us!!!!!
    2. Examine the info.json file of an existing Feature that places props into the scene. Any of them with boardwalks would be a good example. Aha, we see that there is a "props" section in the file. There is a whole list of individual props and their locations (position, rotation and scale) in the scene.
    3. Copy the "props" section (many lines of code) from one of those Features and paste it into you new Feature to use as a guide to how to enter the list of props.
    4. Save the info.json file.
    5. In Daz Studio:
      • Select all of the train track props that you manually added to the scene
      • Select Create>New Group from the menu.
      • Name the group UltraScene Feature Props
      • Select Parent Selected Item(s) to New Group
      • After the group is created, make it a child of UltraScene Terrain in the Scene pane.
    6. Save the Scene.
    7. In Daz Studio, open the Parameters pane so you can see the translation, rotation and scale of selected items in the Scene pane.
    8. For each section of train track, select it in the Scene pane, one section at a time. Remember that the track props are now part of a group that is a child of UltraScene Terrain.
    9. For each section of train track:
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "path" settings to the path of the train track piece used.
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "position", "rotation", and "scale" settings to the values shown in the Parameters pane for that selected track piece.
      • If you need more prop sections in the info.json file, copy and paste one of the existing ones. If you have too many, delete the extra. Be careful to end the list without a trailing comma for correct json code. Use the JSON validator to check if necessary - always a good idea.
    10. Save the info.json file.

    5) Test the new Feature and be sure the track is placed correctly.

    Here is a render of my curved RR Track Feature with the Parkside Freight train on the tracks:

     

    Hi @Barbult just wanted to ask if this trick will work with US2 as I have a render I wnat to do but need the larger size of US2 to pull it off  

    The concept is similar, but the Content Library location for the storage of UltraScenery2 terrain, ecology, layer, and water presets are in data\HowieFarkes\UltraScenery2 now. UltraScenery2 has Terrain presets instead of Feature presets. UltraScenery2 has biome layers that UltraScenery1 did not have. but both have ecologies. The internals of these presets have some new features, so you will need to do some experimentation and it will take some trial and error, probably. I made a new ecology preset with the Tree Pack addon, and I made a new Pond Terrain preset, so, yes, it can be done.

    Thanks, I don't supose you have the prosses posted anywhere do you? 

    No, I don't.

  • DreamWeeverDreamWeever Posts: 191

    barbult said:

    DreamWeever said:

    barbult said:

    DreamWeever said:

    barbult said:

    I am now using Daz Studio 4.15.0.14 Public Beta and UltraSceneCreator 1.3.3.1 with the Accelerator 1.0.2.4.

    Experiment: Create a New UltraScenery Feature with Added Props (Railroad Track)

    1) Refer to the previous experiment (Create a New UltraScenery Feature (Paved Road) for info on creating a Feature.

    2) I am going to lay down my track on a flat square plane first, so I have an idea where to create the areas for my height maps and terrain surface masks. I am going to use the track pieces from Modular Railway Track Set in the Daz Store. Let my warn you right now, the curves in that set are too tight for any "real" train to navigate, in my opinion. I used nothing larger than 5 degrees, and it was still really too tight.

    1. Create an UltraScene with the terrain set to Brightness -100, _No Features, and Grassland 1 Ecology. The goal is to have a perfectly flat UltraScenery Terrain. When building the scene, uncheck all of the vegetation layers. You don't need any plants for this step; they just get in the way and make things slower than necessary.
    2. Place your selected railway track props on the UltraScene Terrain, being careful to connect them smoothly.
    3. Save your scene.
    4. Set the viewport view to Top View. Do not use a perspective camera and look down from the top. You need to use the built in Top View to get an orthographic, not distorted, view of the terrain square. Zoom out to show the whole terrain square in the viewport.
    5. Take a screenshot of the terrain square in the viewport. You want to select a square including the entire terrain and nothing else. This will be the guide for creating all of your height maps and surface masks. You can see where your train track is on the terrain.
    6. In a photo editor, use the terrain screenshot as the guide for creating the height maps and surface masks for the Feature.
    7. Edit the info.json file for the feature to use the newly created height maps and masks. I created my height maps to create a flat area where the track goes. I set the height to "absolute" 200 for my main flat track area height map and "relative" 33 for a second center-of-the-track height map to make the bed slightly humped up in the middle.
    8. Save the updated info.json file.

    3) Test the new Feature and adjust maps and masks as necessary.

    1. If you don't still have the rail road track props in your scene, open the file you previously saved with the tracks.
    2. Run UltraSceneCreator and build a scene with your new Feature.
    3. You will probably find the tracks buried below ground because of the height map settings. Raise the props up and verify that your height maps and surface masks are appropriate. I had to try and try again several times to get things to my satisfaction. It is all subjective. Just make it the way YOU want it.

    4) Add the track pieces as Props in the Feature, so UltraSceneCreator places the track in the scene

    1. Heaven forbid that we would have to manually place those track props in the scene every time we use the new Feature!!!!! We need the Feature to add the props in the right place for us!!!!!
    2. Examine the info.json file of an existing Feature that places props into the scene. Any of them with boardwalks would be a good example. Aha, we see that there is a "props" section in the file. There is a whole list of individual props and their locations (position, rotation and scale) in the scene.
    3. Copy the "props" section (many lines of code) from one of those Features and paste it into you new Feature to use as a guide to how to enter the list of props.
    4. Save the info.json file.
    5. In Daz Studio:
      • Select all of the train track props that you manually added to the scene
      • Select Create>New Group from the menu.
      • Name the group UltraScene Feature Props
      • Select Parent Selected Item(s) to New Group
      • After the group is created, make it a child of UltraScene Terrain in the Scene pane.
    6. Save the Scene.
    7. In Daz Studio, open the Parameters pane so you can see the translation, rotation and scale of selected items in the Scene pane.
    8. For each section of train track, select it in the Scene pane, one section at a time. Remember that the track props are now part of a group that is a child of UltraScene Terrain.
    9. For each section of train track:
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "path" settings to the path of the train track piece used.
      • update the info.json file to change one of the pasted prop "position", "rotation", and "scale" settings to the values shown in the Parameters pane for that selected track piece.
      • If you need more prop sections in the info.json file, copy and paste one of the existing ones. If you have too many, delete the extra. Be careful to end the list without a trailing comma for correct json code. Use the JSON validator to check if necessary - always a good idea.
    10. Save the info.json file.

    5) Test the new Feature and be sure the track is placed correctly.

    Here is a render of my curved RR Track Feature with the Parkside Freight train on the tracks:

     

    Hi @Barbult just wanted to ask if this trick will work with US2 as I have a render I wnat to do but need the larger size of US2 to pull it off  

    The concept is similar, but the Content Library location for the storage of UltraScenery2 terrain, ecology, layer, and water presets are in data\HowieFarkes\UltraScenery2 now. UltraScenery2 has Terrain presets instead of Feature presets. UltraScenery2 has biome layers that UltraScenery1 did not have. but both have ecologies. The internals of these presets have some new features, so you will need to do some experimentation and it will take some trial and error, probably. I made a new ecology preset with the Tree Pack addon, and I made a new Pond Terrain preset, so, yes, it can be done.

    Thanks, I don't supose you have the prosses posted anywhere do you? 

    No, I don't.

    Ah ok 

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