New terrain Models (2000-2002) page 5.
If you have a filigree structure like this, terrains are just perfect.
Draw your complicate gray scale map in Corel Draw, use a medium resolution terrain (try to soften it ) and everything is ready in minutes.
If you are looking for fast results import the picture of an object directly into the terrain editor. Take a low resolution decrease the height of the terrain, then soften the result. Now take the original picture as a texture
If you have objects like this the light and the camera should come from the front.
This is a fast process but it is not far away from a back round picture. It is locking as if it is 3D but it isn't.