2D landscape map. Displays landscape map, which may include chloropleth, height and map image layers, polygons shapes to place vegetation, 3D model positions, and photo or video hotspots.
Move around the map by scrolling or using the navigation thumbnail image. Zoom in and out using the zoom tool. Double clicking on hotspot icons will bring up the linked image or video.
You can edit some layer information in the 2D map, but for detailed editing use the heightfield editor. To edit a layer select the desired layer in the layers list then click on the map to edit, insert or delete objects.

Navigation minimap. Thumbnail display of the complete landscape. Black rectangle shows
the current 2D map area - click to move.
Black cross shows current camera position.

3D landscape view. Displays the landscape in 3D optionally with an overlayed image and coloured by height. Slightly simplfied 3D models are also displayed at their placed position.
Move around by click-and-drag or using movement buttons below view. Hold down, Alt, Control or Shift to change the way the landscape moves when the mouse is dragged

Click to show Landscape Definition Module.
Although the 2D map allows some manipulation of layers and objects, detailed heightfield editing should be done using this module, which incorporates heightfield editing tools, more advanced layer editors, and plugins.

2D surface options. Show chloropleth and surface map images.
Chloropleth data is typically used to underlay a map with location data, for instance geology, population, land cover or some other such positional information. In an educational context a practical example might be average wind speeds to help a class determine where to place a wind generator.

Click to open Layers editor. Layers may contain

image overlay information, such as maps

hotspots to hold photographs or videos

GIS polygon/line information to place vegetation and surfaces

3D models

Chloropleth information

2D landscape feedback. Shows current grid reference (if grid information has been set for map) and height for current cursor position. If a chloropleth layer is displayed and information is available that will also be shown.

Project configuration panel. Click project button to change project and parameters. Checkboxs hide/display layer tools. These are

Camera: a graphic representation of the current camera position

Heights: underlays the 2D image with height shading

Grid: a positional grid. This requires that georeferencing information has been set up for the landscape

Layers. Toggle checkboxes to display/hide landscape layers in the 2D window. The 2D window does allow some editing of layers, highlight the layer you wish to edit then click on the 2D window to action. For example if you have a hotspot layer selected you can edit hotspots by clicking on existing ones or add new ones by clicking on an empty area of the map.

3D surface options. Toggle surface colours and sets surface map drapped over the landscape.

Movement buttons. Click and hold to move the camera in the 3D window. You can also move the landscape by clicking and dragging on the 3D map - hold down the Ctrl, Alt or Shift key to change the way the landscape moves.

Click to open Vegetation editor

3D control panel. Set camera viewing angle or reset defaults. The current viewing bearing is displayed.
This panel also contains several buttons linking to online facilities on the Geomantics website such as online help, our forums, and purchase links.

Open main render window to draw larger view and photorealistic images. This central feature of Genesis4 is described in detail in this tutorial.

Zoom bar. Zooms the 2D map in and out