I finally figured out how to work the MICRODEM, and managed to generate a DEM (keeping careful track of the lat/long numbers that ended up being my final coordinates, for later use in google maps) for my Durango & Silverton map that I'm currently working on. I then took screenshots of both google maps and the satellite views and stitched them together. After cropping and resizing the images, I got the image to line up with the topography, and the result is pretty stunning. It's a great way to both A) quickly map out towns, rivers, and lakes (using the google-maps overlay), and B) create a super realistic, super accurate terrain texture in mere minutes (well, an hour or two, but you know what I mean ;)).
(abbreviated) instructions
step 1: make your DEM using microdem and export it as a targa. keep careful track of the final gps coordinates that you used (see the microdem tutorial for how to do this), as they will be important later on.
step 2: load up your targa image as a heightmap, and generate your terrain. get the terrain to the point where the heights are roughly at the points where you want them, but don't worry about lakes, rivers, or specific terrain adjustments yet.
step 3: using photoshop or gimp or whatever you want (I prefer photoshop, but use whatever) take screenshots of google maps and satellite view of your topography.
*see tips on creating screenshots below for help*
step 4: using the bmptogmp tool to overlay the google map (this may take some time, as it might not line up quite right the very first time you do this. make sure to backup that original photoshop file before you crop it so that you can backtrack your work).
step 5: use the google map as a reference to help with the placement of rivers, lakes, regions, towns, etc. I also recommend that at this point you start your event writing so that you can beta test without worrying about loss of texture quality.
step 6: after you have finished the bones of your scenario, I then recommend using bmptogmp again to apply the google satellite image. make sure you're not doing anymore major changes before doing this. this will make your scenario (hopefully) look all pretty!
step 7: make any final texture-related changes that you deem necessary, and add trees. at this point, you're pretty much done!
Tips for saving the screenshots
a) when you are ready to take the screenshot, fill up as much of your computer screen as you can. then, take the google maps screenshot first, then immediately after take the satellite screenshot. do this in tiles, so that it's easier to match up in photoshop.
b) before you start taking the screenshots, mark the corners of your map by searching for the lat/long coordinates in google, and use the green triangle on the google map view. I recommend doing this in the google map view only, since (at least for me) I only use the google map view as a reference for placing lakes, rivers, cities, etc.
c) for those of you familiar with actions and changing a lot of files automatically using the batch feature of photoshop, I recommend creating an action that crops all the screenshots at once, so that you can ensure that the google map and google satellite images are the same size when you merge them.
d) when you put the images in photoshop, I recommend two layers: the google maps layer is lower, and the satellite image is higher. first, copy and paste the google map, then the satellite, and line them up with each other using the smart guides. when you insert the next set, start with the google map and line that up. then, turn off all the layers EXCEPT for the image you just added, and import the corresponding satellite image. this ensures that the two layers line up properly. it makes it very easy later on for cropping, resizing, and saving the .bmp images, as well as importing into RT3.
I know that this probably is not as complete as it should be, so I will post a more in-depth tutorial at some point later on.
One thing I should say is that the texture detail looks best at a high resolution, and as you zoom out, the texture obviously gets less detailed. But I still think it's better than having a relatively blank map.
Heres part of what my map (WIP) looks like, to give you guys an idea.
![Image](http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8505/8506318900_f955398aa1_c.jpg)