[agracier]

So to make it clear, I use the Gray DEM without the 'Lake Check' for the basis of my map_c.
I then use the Grey DEM with the 'Lake check for the basis of my map_h

No no ... to make a map_h, you should best use the gray DEM WITHOUT LAKE CHECK .... the lake check puts a blue color on the dem where large bodies of inland water are present: lakes, wide rivers, but when the blue is turned into a gray RGB value, it won't give a correct height.

Instead it will 'push' all those all blue areas to sea level height or at any rate to a same height level all over the map area. In lowland areas that's not too bad, but once the terrain becomes much higher, say at 100-200m, you'll start to see really deep river canyons, where in reality you'd have a relatively flat level plain with a river flowing at almost the same height ... in mountainous areas of 1000m and so, you get real doozies of canyons.

And to make map_c, you should ideally start with Lake Check on. It's also easiest to create a new layer for rivers and lakes. On that new layer, move/import the blue areas and then (with lots of patience) you'll need to draw by hand the rest of your inland river/lake system, taking care to very carefully follow the natural contours as discerned on the gray DEM with lake Check.

See, if you make a separate for rivers and lakes on the gray DEM, you can later use this level when making map_t and you wish for instance to create water without surf for rivers (RGB 30). It will save lots of time and effort later.

I know it can be confusing at first. It took me a month to get a first very simple map working, But once you get the knack, you'll find it's rather straightforward.

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And here's a perhaps silly sounding tip, but it helps even so. See if you can, print out a copy of Kevins' Tutorial and get it bound up somewhere at a local photocopy shop or wherever. Then you can more easily consult the pages than by alt-tabbing between applications ... and you can add notes in the margins as well ...

And it will impress your friends and family too ... ha ha.