I picked the Volcano because it is a very common eye-candy feature, but its not always done very well.
So, Im going to show you all my way of doing it, i feel it works very well for me and i would like to share it with the community.

Heres what the finished result will look like (with a bit of embellishment )

Step 1:
First off, you must set your elevation tool to about 3/4 of the full size - circle or square - i used square however.
It should look something like this:
[JPEG, (218.42 KB)]

Step 2:
This is where it starts to take shape
Get your water tool, and select whatever water you like - it doesn't matter.
Place in the middle of the raised platform, and smoothen the edgesaround it.
This is what it will look like:
[JPEG, (198.91 KB)]

Step 3:
This stage is relatively simple. Place many boulder walls around the base of the volcano and at the top of it, like so:
[JPEG, (232.76 KB)]

Step 4:
Resize the boulder walls and place them around the volcano, this will form the sides.
Then, place the object 'Lava pool' in the centre of the volcano. Make sure its edges do not go outside the volcano.
Here is the result:

Step 5:
Next place 'boulder rolling deads' :P around the volcano. This will give it more texture.
To create a cool effect, try deleting some of the boulder walls and painting the terrain behind them black - giving a cave-like feel.
Place smoke in the crater.
[JPEG, (218.24 KB)]

Embellishments:
There are many objects you can place to give the area around it a better feel. Place large granite rocks and small granite rocks around. I find that limestone sprites work better in this situation than granite sprites. Stalagmites also make it look alot better
Also, place geek or norse ruins around in groups. Skeletons, signs and cinematic dead bodies also work well.
You may also wish to add fire to the crater of the volcano, however i chose not to in my example.

Eruptions:
You can create some cool eruption effects for volcanos using the 'Change unit type' trigger.
First, place cinematic blocks in the volcano, and around the cone. You could then set up a system of triggers which would go something like this:

Condition:
Timer

Effect:
Change unit type

I would suggest changing the cinematic block in the middle of the volcano to the object 'underworld explosion'.
Next you can change the blocks around the base of the volcano to the objects 'Fire Hades' and 'smoke' or 'smoke big'.
Another effect that can be used in the erruption is 'camera shake'. This creates a bang like effect for the viewer.
There are also various sounds using the 'Play Dialogue' trigger that can come in use. Search the sounds folder and look for something that works right for what you want - I found that 'thunder clap' was a good one.
Lighting is also a necessity during a volcanic eruption. Change the lighting to something darker after the eruption has ended.

Eruption Screenshot coming soon.

This effect does not have to just be used in volcanos - it can work very well with swamps, waterfalls and under ground caves.
Here are some more examples:

Swamp

Waterfall (map design by Auron 2)

Another waterfall

I hope you enjoyed reading my guide, and i wish you the very best of luck re-creating this effect!

[This message has been edited by EazY_Ben (edited 07-31-2004 @ 05:59 AM).]