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Message: <blockquote data-quote="SiderisAnon" data-source="post: 5025149" data-attributes="member: 44949">I have used a number of different 3D programs, including some which can do 3D terrain.  There are a few issues with what you want to do that you may not realize are there.First, 3D programs tend to have a steep learning curve.  They're not designed to let you throw together a random terrain in a couple of minutes and then use it. People spends months learning how to use them properly.  (There's some tutorials here for Vue 8.  Take a look at these to see how complicated the program can be. <a href="http://www.geekatplay.com/discovervue8/" target="_blank">Geekatplay™ Studio. Discovering Vue 8</a>)Second, most of the 3D programs are expensive.  There is a way around this, which is looking for cheap offers on older versions of software.  I picked up Bryce, for instance, for $1.00 or something because it was an older version and they were using it to sell whatever the latest version was.  This only gets you the base program, however.Third, at least in programs like Bryce, the program doesn't do it all.  Terrain is created with models.  You will probably get a few things with the software, but unless you want your display to only show one kind of tree and two kinds of bushes, you're going to either have to create or buy more models.  These models tend to be pricey.  (In fact, if the base software is cheap, I can guarantee the models they want to sell you will make up the profits.  Many models are $20-$30 or more each.)  Creating them on your own takes a ton of time and talent.Fourth, unless you have a heck of a good computer, you can't just zoom around the terrain except at a very low level of detail.  Rendering quality images can take minutes, hours, or even days to generate, depending on the power of your computer and the complexity of your image.Now a toolbox like Neverwinter Nights which gives you the ability to create a setting as a DM is different because it's a much more limited design.  You can create a world you can wander around in as a game because the 3D engine is dedicated to a limited purpose and your choice of models is limited.  For tabletop, this may be all you need, assuming you can work within the limits of what they've provided.</blockquote>

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