Is there a simple/easy way to create a flat planar object (like the ground background image or base for a large scene) that will automatically conform to the underlying altitude mesh/DEM, without the need to manually edit altitudes of individual vertices in the 3D model (which is a pain in the a** especially for very large areas which)?

Hi Jonathan:A few questions for clarity:Is this for FS2002, Fs2004 or FSX (SDK methods would vary!)?Are you merely wanting to place a mesh-clinging default landclass (with or with out autogen ex: concrete), or other "custom" landclass texture on top of the terrain mesh ( ground texture poly)?When you say flat planar object, I think of a 3D object in GMAX which needs to be mapped to textures, then exported as a 3D object via the X format and MDL route to specified FS coordinates and elevations, or complied into a FS library format BGL for subsequent scaling and placement in FS with an interactive object placer that features live preview such as Abacus EZ Scenery (FS2002/2004 only) or Flight1's Instant Scenery (both FS2004 and FSX) by Konstantin Kukushkin.Alternatively, there is Flight Sim Scenery Enhancer aka FSSE (FS2002 only) or Flight Sim Enhancer 2004 aka FSE by LAGO which uses proprietary FPS efficient API 3D models, and requires all recipients of the scenery files to have a copy of that payware program in order to display the content.Both these live preview scenery object placers offer adjustable elevation, roll and pitch as well as scaling of "flat texture tiles" which usually need to be at least a small fraction of a meter above the underlying terrain and landclass texture to prevent flickering and bleed through issues.If you are merely wanting to place a mesh clinging texture (default landclass or custom landclass) onto the terrain, do you wish to display default or newly created / modified water bodies anywhere in the specified area?Do you wish to also include or exclude landclass-associated autogen in the area?Do you wish to also include or exclude default or custom VTP lines such as streams, railroads, roads, trails etc. in the area?Hope this helps us formulate a more detailed answer for you! :-) GaryGB