How to work with map_heights.hgt instead of map_heights.tga (and why you should want to)
Required tools
You need to dowload and install ImageJ.
To Import an existing hgt
1) from the menu, select: File > Import > Raw
2) select map_heigths.hgt and click Open
3) In the dialogue,
- set image type to 32bit real
- set width to the number of columns
- set height to the number of rows
- set all other fields to 0
- check 'little endian byt order'
- uncheck all other boxes
4) press 'OK'
The height image will open. You will notice it is flipped vertically.
To export an edited or newly created height map
1) back up/rename any existing map_heights.hgt
2) make sure your image is in '32bit real' format and flipped vertically
3) from the menu select Edit > Options > Input/Output
- Check the option 'Save Tiff and Raw in Intel byte order'
- Uncheck all other boxes (may not be necessary, haven't tested that)
4) from the menu, select File > Save as > Raw Data
5) save the file as map_heights.hgt
Don't forget to delete map.rwm. IIRC map_heights.tga will be ignored if there's an existing .hgt, but if this works for you, you won't need it at all anymore and you can delete it.
Why bother?
I would not go as far as saying that working with the hgt yields significantly better results. It does contain 'actual' heights in a single band, which I have always found quite convenient to work with especially in the development stage.
Why now? I've always used proprietary software that allowed me to specify custom import and export formats. Always have known imageJ could be used to import map_heights.hgt , but only recently discovered in the fine print how to change the output options to produce something that works.
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