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Terrain Editor

The Terrain Editor tools generate and sculpt realistic terrain environments such as mountains, bodies of water, grass-covered hills, or a flat desert.

The Terrain Editor, accessible from Studio's Home tab or Window ⟩ 3D menu, lets you generate and manipulate environmental terrain through its Create and Edit toolsets.

Terrain Editor indicated in Studio's toolbar

For detailed instructions on working with terrain, see the environmental terrain guide.

Create tab#

The Create tab includes the Import, Generate, and Clear tools.

Import#

The Import tool imports a heightmap and optional colormap and applies them to a selected region.

Import tool indicated in Create tab of Terrain Editor
Example heightmap image
Heightmap
Example colormap image
Colormap
Terrain generated from the example heightmap and colormap
Generated terrain

Selection settings
Size, position, and snapping options as outlined for the Select tool.
Heightmap settings
Heightmap Imports a heightmap from a local image file.
Colormap Imports a colormap from a local image file to use alongside a heightmap.
Default Material Specifies one consistent material to apply across all of the generated terrain. This is overridden by materials based on the colormap, if imported.

Generate#

The Generate tool procedurally generates terrain within a selected region. This is useful if you want to create a large map and then fine-tune terrain details using the Edit tab tools.

Generate tool indicated in Create tab of Terrain Editor

Selection settings
Size, position, and snapping options as outlined for the Select tool.
Biome settings
Biomes Includes the selected biomes in the generated terrain.
Blending Adjusts how the biomes blend into one another, with higher values a bit smoother.
Caves Includes caves in the generated terrain.
Biome Size Sets the size of the biomes within the overall terrain size.
Seed A number that Studio generates to determine the shape of the terrain. When you change this number, Studio generates a new terrain with the same settings.

Clear#

The Clear tool reveals a button that clears all terrain within the entire place.

Clear tool indicated in Create tab of Terrain Editor

Edit tab#

The Edit tab includes the Select, Transform, Fill, Sea Level, Draw, Sculpt, Smooth, Paint, and Flatten tools.

Select#

The Select tool is a universal tool for selecting rectangular regions of terrain. With the tool enabled, select a region by clicking and dragging in the 3D viewport, reposition it with the move draggers, and edit its size with the scale handles. Alternatively, enter values into the tool's X/Y/Z inputs to set a specific position and size.

Select tool indicated in Edit tab of Terrain Editor
Selection settings
Size Sets specific X/Y/Z values for the selection's size, in studs.
Position Sets specific X/Y/Z values for the selection's position.
Snap to Voxels Snaps the selection bounds to the nearest voxel.
Move draggers and scale handles on a selected region
Move draggers and scale handles on a selected region

Studio also supports the following keyboard and mouse shortcuts, assuming the Select tool is active and nothing is selected in the Explorer hierarchy.

Windows Mac Action
CtrlC ⌘C Copy terrain within the selected region to the clipboard.
CtrlV ⌘V Paste terrain that has been copied to the clipboard and swap to the Transform tool so that the new terrain can be transformed.
CtrlX ⌘X Cut terrain within the selected region to the clipboard.
CtrlD ⌘D Duplicate terrain within the selected region and swap to the Transform tool so that the new terrain can be transformed.
Delete Delete Delete terrain within the selected region.
Shift Shift When held down while dragging any scale handle, scales the region proportionally across all other axes.
Ctrl ⌘ When held down while dragging any scale handle, scales the region equally in both the positive and negative direction along that axis.

Transform#

The Transform tool manipulates entire selected regions to a new position, size, or orientation. With the tool enabled, transform a selected region with the move draggers, rotate rings, and scale handles. Alternatively, enter values into the tool's X/Y/Z inputs to set a specific position, size, and rotation.

Transform tool indicated in Edit tab of Terrain Editor
Transform settings
Size Sets specific X/Y/Z values for the selection's size in studs.
Position Sets specific X/Y/Z values for the selection's position.
Rotation Sets specific X/Y/Z values for the selection's rotation in degrees.
Merge Empty When enabled, air voxels in the selection will overwrite existing voxels at the destination.
Live Edit When enabled, terrain is constantly updated while being transformed. To view only a wireframe preview of the transformation, disable live edit mode and then, while transforming, press Enter/Return or click the Apply button to apply the changes.
Snap to Voxels Snaps the selection bounds to the nearest voxel.
Move draggers, rotate rings, and scale handles on a selected region
Move draggers, rotate rings, and scale handles on a selected region

Before rotating a region with the visual rotate rings, check the rotation snapping setting in Studio's toolbar. Disable rotation snapping entirely for free-form rotation.

Similar to selecting a region, holding Shift while dragging any scale handle scales the region proportionally across all other axes, and holding Ctrl or ⌘ while dragging scales the region equally in both the positive and negative direction along that axis.

Fill#

The Fill tool fills an entire selected region with a specific material, or replaces all material within the region with another material.

Fill tool indicated in Edit tab of Terrain Editor
Selection settings
Size, position, and snapping options as outlined for the Select tool.
Material settings
Fill Mode Toggles the tool between Fill and Replace mode.
Source Material In Fill mode, the desired fill material. In Replace mode, the material to replace.
Target Material In Replace mode, the material to replace the source material with.
Region filled with Salt material
Selected region filled with Salt material

Sea Level#

The Sea Level tool lets you create a consistent water level or remove all water within a region.

Sea Level tool indicated in Edit tab of Terrain Editor

Sea level settings
Size Sets specific X/Y/Z values for the selection's size in studs.
Position Sets specific X/Y/Z values for the selection's position.
Snap to Voxels Snaps the selection bounds to the nearest voxel.

Draw#

The Draw tool adds or subtracts terrain using the brush. This tool functions in a dual mode where holding down Ctrl or ⌘ toggles on "subtract" mode instead of the default "add" mode. Additionally, holding down Shift temporarily activates the Smooth tool.

Draw tool indicated in Edit tab of Terrain Editor

Brush settings
Brush Mode Toggles the tool between Add and Subtract mode. Also toggled by holding down Ctrl or ⌘.
Brush Shape Sets the brush shape to either a sphere, box, or cylinder.
Brush shape icons in the Terrain Editor
Brush Size Sets the brush size from 1 to 64. If you choose a brush shape of box or cylinder, a Height slider/input also appears to adjust the brush height proportionally or independently of the base size.
Pivot Position Sets the vertical pivot point of the brush to either the bottom, center, or top of where the brush connects with existing terrain.
Snapping Whether snapping is off or to the nearest voxel.
Plane Lock Toggles whether to enable a visual plane which the brush locks to. In Auto mode, the plane tilts and rotates with the camera. In Manual mode, the Edit Plane option appears, letting you set a specific position/orientation through the visual draggers or X/Y/Z inputs.
Ignore Water Ignores water when adding or subtracting terrain.
Ignore Parts Ignores parts in regards to brush placement while moving the mouse pointer across part surfaces.
Material settings
Auto Material Uses the same terrain material in the brush's vicinity when adding new terrain.
Source Material Sets the material for Add mode.

Sculpt#

The Sculpt tool adds or subtracts terrain using the brush. Unlike the Draw tool, this tool includes a strength slider/input to allow for more gentle manipulation of terrain. This tool functions in a dual mode where holding down Ctrl or ⌘ toggles on "subtract" mode instead of the default "add" mode, and holding down Shift temporarily activates the Smooth tool.

Sculpt tool indicated in Edit tab of Terrain Editor

Option Description
Brush Mode Toggles the tool between Add and Subtract mode. Also toggled by holding down Ctrl or ⌘.
Brush Shape Sets the brush shape to either a sphere, box, or cylinder.
Brush shape icons in the Terrain Editor
Brush Size Sets the brush size from 1 to 64. If you choose a brush shape of box or cylinder, a Height slider/input also appears to adjust the brush height proportionally or independently of the base size.
Strength Sets the brush strength from 0.1 to 1.
Plane Lock Toggles whether to enable a visual plane which the brush locks to. In Auto mode, the plane tilts and rotates with the camera. In Manual mode, the Edit Plane option appears, letting you set a specific position/orientation through the visual draggers or X/Y/Z inputs.
Ignore Water Ignores water when adding or subtracting terrain.
Ignore Parts Ignores parts in regards to brush placement while moving the mouse pointer across part surfaces.
Auto Material Uses the same terrain material in the brush's vicinity when adding new terrain.
Source Material Sets the material for Add mode.

Smooth#

The Smooth tool smoothes out abrupt edges in terrain using the brush. This tool can be used in standalone mode, or you can toggle it on by holding Shift while using the Draw or Sculpt tools.

Smooth tool indicated in Edit tab of Terrain Editor

Option Description
Brush Shape Sets the brush shape to either a sphere, box, or cylinder.
Brush shape icons in the Terrain Editor
Brush Size Sets the brush size from 1 to 64. If you choose a brush shape of box or cylinder, a Height slider/input also appears to adjust the brush height proportionally or independently of the base size.
Strength Sets the brush strength from 0.1 to 1.
Pivot Position Sets the vertical pivot point of the brush to either the bottom, center, or top of where the brush connects with existing terrain.
Snapping Whether snapping is off or to the nearest voxel.
Plane Lock Toggles whether to enable a visual plane which the brush locks to. In Auto mode, the plane tilts and rotates with the camera. In Manual mode, the Edit Plane option appears, letting you set a specific position/orientation through the visual draggers or X/Y/Z inputs.
Ignore Water Ignores water when smoothing terrain.
Ignore Parts Ignores parts in regards to brush placement while moving the mouse pointer across part surfaces.

Paint#

The Paint tool, using the brush, paints a terrain material over an existing material or replaces one material with another material.

Paint tool indicated in Edit tab of Terrain Editor

Option Description
Brush Shape Sets the brush shape to either a sphere, box, or cylinder.
Brush shape icons in the Terrain Editor
Brush Size Sets the brush size from 1 to 64. If you choose a brush shape of box or cylinder, a Height slider/input also appears to adjust the brush height proportionally or independently of the base size.
Pivot Position Sets the vertical pivot point of the brush to either the bottom, center, or top of where the brush connects with existing terrain.
Snapping Whether snapping is off or to the nearest voxel.
Plane Lock Toggles whether to enable a visual plane which the brush locks to. In Auto mode, the plane tilts and rotates with the camera. In Manual mode, the Edit Plane option appears, letting you set a specific position/orientation through the visual draggers or X/Y/Z inputs.
Ignore Water Ignores water when flattening terrain.
Ignore Parts Ignores parts in regards to brush placement while moving the mouse pointer across part surfaces.
Material Mode Toggles the tool between Paint and Replace mode. In Paint mode, choose the desired painting material from the tool's picker tiles. In Replace mode, choose both the source material to replace and the target material to replace it with.

Flatten#

The Flatten tool flattens terrain to a consistent level across a visualized plane. By default, the tool lowers terrain above the plane and raises terrain below to the plane, but you can opt to selectively lower or raise through the tool's Flatten Mode option.

Flatten tool indicated in Edit tab of Terrain Editor

Option Description
Brush Shape Sets the brush shape to either a sphere, box, or cylinder.
Brush shape icons in the Terrain Editor
Flatten Mode Erode to Flat¹ flattens terrain above the plane. Grow to Flat² fills in terrain below the plane. Flatten All³ removes terrain above the plane and fills in terrain below the plane.
Flatten Mode icons in the Terrain Editor
Brush Size Sets the brush size from 1 to 64. If you choose a brush shape of box or cylinder, a Height slider/input also appears to adjust the brush height proportionally or independently of the base size.
Strength Sets the brush strength from 0.1 to 1.
Pivot Position Sets the vertical pivot point of the brush to either the bottom, center, or top of where the brush connects with existing terrain.
Snapping Whether snapping is off or to the nearest voxel.
Flatten Plane If set to Fixed, flattens terrain to a fixed visual plane in Y world space.
Ignore Water Ignores water when flattening terrain.
Ignore Parts Ignores parts in regards to brush placement while moving the mouse pointer across part surfaces.

Studio shortcuts#

For tools which use the brush (Draw, Sculpt, Smooth, Flatten, Paint), Studio supports the following keyboard and mouse shortcuts.

Windows Mac Action
Ctrl ⌘ When held down while using the Draw and Sculpt tools, toggles on the alternate brush mode. For example, toggles on "subtract" mode instead of the default "add" mode.
Shift Shift When held down while using the Draw and Sculpt tools, temporarily activates the Smooth tool.
B B When held down while dragging the mouse or using the scroll wheel, adjusts the brush's base size.
CtrlB ⌘B When held down while dragging the mouse or using the scroll wheel, adjusts the brush's height. Only applies if the brush's shape is set to box or cylinder.
ShiftB ShiftB When held down while dragging the mouse or using the scroll wheel, adjusts the brush's strength. Only applies when using the Sculpt, Smooth, or Flatten tool.
Alt ⌥ When held down on mouse click, shows the material picker.