How to create ultra hi-res maps for your movie

[jparnold]

I have for a long time struggled with obtaining hi resolution maps to include in my movies of trips I have done.
I have searched the internet for images of such maps for download and even used screen shots when using Google Earth.
I always wanted a higher resolution so that I could ZOOM in without the image becoming too fuzzy due to the fact that I was ending with an image of only (say) 512 x 288.
I am also a fan of FSX (M/S Flight Simulator) and recently taught myself how to create photo-realistic scenery which uses the TILES from Google Earth to create extra large (in pixels) images of parts of the world.
Today I realised that I could use the same to create images for maps to use in movies (I recently created an image around 5200 x 3000 pixels - the only limit to image size is how much memory you have and so using a 64bit processor and system helps a lot.
The software for doing this is FREE.
It is named sBuilderX and it is available from http://www.ptsim.com/sbuilderx/SBuilderX313.zip.
There is documentation within the zip file HOWEVER to create the image files for hires maps you will need to search for and download file make_photo-real_ground_textures_in_fs_x.zip which is available as a free download at http://library.avsim.net/esearch.php?DL ... CatID=root.
You may need to join the web site (FREE) to enable the download.

Within sBuilderX you can choose to use Google Earth or or Microsoft Live Virtual Earth, terrain or streets. Also note that the image files are BGL files only however you can change those to JPG if required.

Hope this may have helped a few people who like to include hires maps (which they can use zoom without loosing sharpness) in their movies.

[Old Grey]

Would you have an example I could see, it sounds like a good idea to add to my old 8mm films that I am converting.

[alanball]

Hi john

thanks for posting those great details, I also have been frustrated that I have not been able to produce better maps for travel videos, so I look forward to trying the setup you posted. Unfortunately it wont be for a while as I am in between moving and all my gear is packed away while we build a new house, but thanks again. It would be great to have photos or video of each stage and posted in the Video tutorials area.

[jparnold]

You will need to read the documentation carefully and also note that sBuilderX will expect to find Flight Simulator already installed so that it can set up where the compiler is etc but as far as I know you don't need the compiler as you only want to create the IMAGE file (note that it creates huge .BMP files but they can be converted to JPG with other software. There is a reasonable learning curve to determine how to use the software but I am willing to share my experiences should you have trouble.
In reply for examples I am happy to supply those below. Note that I used the Google Street maps to create these not the Google terrain which does not show roads and place names.
Please note that I RESIZED the map of Australia as the original was 3.85MB in size (8448 x 7681 pixels) so you won't be able to zoom in to see the detail (you will just have to believe me) HOWEVER you will note a small RED box over the area where Sydney is which I zoomed into and CUT it to create the second picture which DOES show the detail.

When selecting an area to create a map you have to ZOOM into the area of the world you want and then have the ability to SELECT (lasso or whatever you like to call it) any area if you want to.

[jparnold]

I have just completed installing sBuilderX on a PC which does NOT have FSX (Flight Simulator) installed and noted what happens.

Firstly sBuilderX seems to require .NET framework to be installed. I think that most people will have Microsoft .NET Framework installed.

When sBuilderX is run and FSX does not exist you will get a number windows pop up with warning messages such as the following -

Shp2Vec, ImageTool & Resample do not exist
BGLComp does not exist
XtoMdl does not exist
Some textures could not be found

Just click on OK as they area not required if you are only creating image files.

You will also get a window pop up for FSX Settings - just click on OK.

Lastly sBuilderX attempts to Copy Some BitMaps and it will continue to try to copy them (but will nevere finish). Do NOT worry about this. It does not affect creation of images of maps and the window will disappear when you exit sBuilderX.

You will just have to put up with these minor annoyances (or install FSX )

[alanball]

Thanks john for the time you have put into that explanation and advice. The text looks great from that zoom in, I will stash your info away somewere safe for future use.

[Old Grey]

I found this

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmGjZ4LCSco

But that got me thinking.

How about zooming right down to the location in Google maps. Turn on a screen recorder. Hit the minus "-" key to zoom out. And just reverse the clip - I think VS can play clips backward -.

[jparnold]

Great find. I have never seen that video clip before.
It did leave out one or two things though.
Before you select SHOW BACKGROUND you need to set up which (satellite) TILE SERVER to use and 'turn it on'.
You do that by selecting PREFERENCES from the EDIT drop down menu then selecting which server you want to use (eg GoogleSatellite, GoogleStreetMap, VirtualEarthSatellite etc) and then clicking on the box USE GOOGLESATELLITE (or which ever tile server you chose). You only need to do this ONCE or if you want to change the tile server to use as once set it remains the same.

The remainder of the clip looks correct EXCEPT you do NOT need to select COMPILE BGL or anything else after that point as the image (.BMP) would have been created at this point, the remainder is to create files required by FSX.

Please note that when selecting the ZOOM level (eg 112 x 80 at Zoom = 12) the higher the zoom level the larger the image file created (in pixels) and sometimes it is possible to select a zoom level which cannot be achieved due to memory limitations (this is where a 64 bit o/s and lots on installed ram comes in handy).

Apart from what I mentioned above, the video clip tutorial is great.

Your last comment about using Google Earth and zooming in with screen capture. I tried that but it was unless you have a very fast system and a very fast internet connection it will result in jerky motion.

[Old Grey]

Your last comment about using Google Earth and zooming in with screen capture. I tried that but it was unless you have a very fast system and a very fast internet connection it will result in jerky motion.

Yes, it does do it in steps, but I was hoping I could speed it up in post so that it isn't as bad.

[jparnold]

I gave up on using Google Earth and screen capture and tried other avenues 2 years ago.

It was only a few days ago, after using sBuilderX to create Flight Simulator photo realistic (ground) scenery (and finding that an image file (.bmp) was created during the process) that I thought that it would be a great way to create map images for use in other projects such as my travel movies.

[Old Grey]

I gave it a shot and cut each step to ½ second clips, but because of the abrupt stepping you lost your place - there isn't enough time to relocate the major cities when you don't get enough time to read the labels -. 1 sec steps were too slow.

[Old Grey]

If anyone is interested, this is what it looks like

file name "Map-AWM-5sec-2.avi" Original smooth version

http://www.mediafire.com/?bb97kv193jtw18v

CamStudio capture with edit of a 1 sec clip, 16 off 1/5 sec clips, and a 3 sec clip

Jerky YouTube version

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u_mzVU8civY

[jparnold]

The video clip is not bad and almost has an effect of strobe. When I tried to do the same (some time) ago the intervals between each frame were not even like those in your clip.

With creating a very hires image you can then use the 'pan and zoom' function within VS and get the action very smooth.