Using a global setting of "hf_gray_16" aids in creating a smooth and
precise field. The larger you render the first step the better the final
image will appear (to a point).
  This may not create an image as you expect it to appear, but it will
nevertheless have three dimensional characteristics. I came up with the
following two files to create hf's from any image. Even a black&white image
can benefit from this process (and has).

On the first pass, use this file to create your height_field input file.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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// FC_HF.pov

global_settings { max_trace_level 25 assumed_gamma 2.2 hf_gray_16 }

object { box { <-4,-3,1>,<4,3,1.1> } texture {
   pigment { image_map { tga "FalseColor.tga" once }
   translate <-.5,-.5,-.5> scale <8,6,1> } } }

camera { location <0,0,-5> direction z look_at 0 }
light_source { <0,0,-65500> color rgb 1 }
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Then, use this file to finish it up.
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// Final.pov
height_field { tga "FC_HF.tga" smooth rotate -90*x
texture { pigment { image_map { tga "FalseColor.tga map_type 0 once } } }
translate <-.5,-.5,-.5> scale <8,1,6> translate 1*z }

camera { location <0,0,-5> direction z look_at 0 }
light_source { <0,0,-65500> color rgb 1 }
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Additionally, you can rotate the height_field in the final source in order
to see the 3D effects.
--
Paul Hinds
gri### [at] swbellnet

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