As with most simulation systems, the realism of the simulation is tightly coupled with the realism of the terrain database that is used to represent the training environment. While VBS2 provides some hooks to load GIS data through their Visitor 2 application, they do not support as many input formats as Terra Vista and cannot import existing simulation database formats such as CTDB and OTF. Therefore, the end result is very likely to have correlation issues with other simulations and visual systems.
With the introduction of its new VBS2 compiler, Terra Vista 5.3 addresses the generation of correlated databases between the multitude of formats that it already supports and the VBS2 terrain format. The following screenshot shows the Camp Pendleton database (familiar to any Terra Vista user as the sample project), running in the VBS2 application, with terrain elevation, runways and buildings all appearing in their correct positions.
As with any Terra Vista compiler, the VBS2 compiler takes advantage of Terra Vista's automation features, including geotypical building extrusion from feature data, creation of roads and bridges based on transportation networks and creation of rivers and bridges based on the intersections of multiple features. There are also some configuration options specific to VBS2, such as the selection of shaders to be used for different elements of the database. Finally, it is also possible to take advantage of the MMB (Multi-Machine Build) feature of the product to span a database compilation across multiple computers to get quicker results.
Take note that the VBS2 Compiler is a new optional module for Terra Vista 5.3, which was recently released.
