I actually have 2 specific questions which have been on my mind for quite some time. I have no experience when it comes to 3D graphics, level design etc. so probably my logic when it comes to this stuff is yet underdeveloped.
1. Is there a special tool which one would use for creating a natural looking piece of land with various small dips, peaks, inconsistencies, gaps etc. Anything one would expect to see while walking up a hill or up a path in the forest? Like some sort of ground-modeling tool where to a flat section more polygons are added to curve, reshape, lift and lower it.
2. How would one go about creating a fake landscape around an open area? Mostly I'm thinking about landscape bitmap of a sort? Is there any mapping video or anything like that where someone attempts a creation of a more open map where illusion of depth would be necessary?