Start the project by adding an instant Terra terrain generator. Viewport displays a visual representation of the terrain, and graphics carry programs that connect the nodes that make up the terrain. Double-click a node to open its parameters and modify them. Terrain shaping has begun. You can also import terrain from a single image file or multiple image files and modify it.

02. Change the terrain

Explore different methods by linking nodes, such as restricting elevation, compressing terrain on Y axis to realize folding structure and create natural slope. Each node is programmed accumulation, which can be mixed with synthetic nodes to form different geological attributes of the terrain. First, pay attention to the global grid, and then optimize the terrain by adjusting the parameters of each node.

03. Write the terrain

Combine two terrains and use the multiplier factor of each terrain to create the combined result. When terrain is combined with translation, scaling and rotation options, full composition provides the greatest degree of freedom. You can also use a mask to construct two landforms, for example, draw the mask directly in a 3D view, and use mountains and less steep sandy landforms to define the flow position of the river.

04. Simulated erosion

Create real erosion and deposition effects caused by rainfall and rivers. Combine two masks with different heights, and then use the height value to define the area between rivers and mountains. Edit mask properties or combine them with mask synthesis nodes to get the final result. Global erosion is used to simulate sediments washed away by runoff.

05. Generate Mask and Export Options

Generate masks from terrain attributes such as slope, height, curvature or angle, and export them for later use to achieve this effect. The created mask has the same size and resolution as the input terrain. You can also export the terrain as a gray height map or a grid. If the terrain has a color map, you can export it as an image file.

06. Create a landscape

Use the rendering engine to import the terrain, merge the exported masks, and apply different materials. Masks are used to define the locations where terrain resources (such as grass, trees or rocks) are applied to create landscapes. For all rendering engines, the workflow is roughly the same: here, we use unreal engine, but you can also export to other software, such as 3ds Max, Unity or Maya.

About how to build a 3D modeling landscape, the global Ivy Bian Xiao will share it with you here. If you are interested in game modeling, I hope this article can help you. If you want to know more about game modeling materials and learning methods, you can click on other articles on this site to learn.