I don’t think I have to say it, but I will… Landscape creation is one of the most important part of a world building for games! In the old days, environment artists had to do everything by hands, but now there is lots of software available to speed up the process.

I have already considered a heightmap software in the preproduction stage of this project, as I would like to base my level on the real world location, but I would like to have a look at other software that helps with the process of creating a landscape like Houdini, Instant Terra, World Creator, World Machine or Gaea.

All of those software have their ups and downs, works better or worse in some scenarios. Some of them require additional knowledge and are less intuitive to use than others. Some are free others are paid for, but it’s guaranteed they all do their job well and much faster than sculpting a 3D terrain by hand.

Houdini 17, Terrain Erosion

The newest version have several updates that makes the software works better, but many artists still suggests other software for a much more accurate and detailed results. I’ve decided to do not spend much time on researching this software as it was on the market for a long time and even a new version isn’t as straightforwardly addressed to the environment artists. I know that this software works and is used in the industry, but it’s time for something new ad more exciting.

Instant Terra

The first official version of the software was released in 2018 and since then it slowly become a software used by many artists. The purpose of the software is to create terrains fast and seamlessly for any type of media. The software is able to create realistic terrains in a big scale and was made for artists working on a AAAs productions in mind. The tool is appreciated for it’s fast rendering and real-time visual feedback. The software works with a use of nodes that are combined together to produce a detailed terrain. It works with both procedural terrain generator or heightmap, a satellite data or other images.

Best Features:

• Large terrains – you can produce huge landscapes without a hassle
• Combined terrains – especially useful for games where you can have a detailed terrain as a walkable area and the background terrain in the backdrop
• Paint masks – for a better control over the design of a landscape
• Size changes – changing sizes dynamically depending on the needs of your project
• Erosion simulation – creates a realistic erosion to the terrain
• Compatible with UE4 – works perfect for games!

Gaea

The best news are that the software is available free for the community and works as good as other terrain generation software. The software itself had a long way to become officially released in February this year (2019), but it’s said that it kills the competition in every aspect of creating the terrains. It works with the nodes as other similar software, but also has layers more similar to those in Photoshop or Substance. You can also sculpt or paint directly onto the terrain with a wide use of tools, or use auto-generated terrain, height maps or other reference images to both sculpt and texture your terrain. All of the textures and effects (e.g. snow) can be easily extract to the 2D textures for use to create PBR materials.

Best Features:

• Frequent Upgrades – what’s better than a software that’s constantly updated with new or fixed features?!
• Community Forums – get in touch with other users or the creators
• User friendly layout – the navigation through the software have more suitable for designers look and interface (layers)
• Multiple export options – easy to export your painted terrain to the 2d textures, heightmaps, meshes, point clouds etc.

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The team of Wysilab, (2018), ‘Instant Terra’ for Landscape Creation Released’, Interview for 80level, 15 February. Availiable at: https://80.lv/articles/instant-terra-for-landscape-creation-released/ [Accessed: 29 Jun. 2019]

Thacker J., (2019), ‘QuadSpinner ships Gaea’, CG Channel, Availiable at: http://www.cgchannel.com/2019/02/quadspinner-ships-gaea/ [Accessed: 29 Jun. 2019]