terrain

I'm not sure if I understand what your problem is.

If your problem is that you do not know how to load a milkshape3D model, then you should look at Brett Porter's model loading tutorials at http://nehe.gamedev.net (for basic vertex and material loading) and his skeletal animation tutorial at http://rsn.gamedev.net.

If your problem is that you would like more experience building lower polygon models in Milkshape3D, then I suggestion you browse around the forums at www.milkshape3d.com and check through the tutorials. I personally enjoyed psionic's tutorials ( http://www.psionic3d.co.uk/tutorials.html).

If neither of these suggestions address your problem, please clarify a bit more and I'll try to help.

Edit:
Ahh, I think I get it now. You created your terrain as a ms3d model. Although I use a heightmap for my terrain, and have never attempted this approach, I would suggest dividing your terrain into several ms3d models. This way, you can (more easily) cull out sections of your terrain that are not in the view frustrum.

can a height map be used on a cliff where the higher part overlaps the lower part?

Quote:

Original post by jreh can a height map be used on a cliff where the higher part overlaps the lower part?

Well some have pulled it off with various hacks, but ah heightmap is usually just image data, where the darker the color, the lower the terrain, meaning no overlaps, but I have seen some things, like layer systems and such for overlaps.