Terraforming -- who's got some good tips?

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    For as long as I have been playing RW I still struggle with the Terraforming tools. They are mostly similar to the previous Java version, but with added features, which is all good, but ... I still struggle with 1. Remembering how to do something, and then 2. Getting natural looking results I can be happy about.


    I find that I often just make a huge mess and then there is no quick and easy way to undo what I've done. Maybe I am mis-remembering, but I think it seemed easier to lower (or raise) the ground in an area. Building a road for example on a curve and a slope and getting something that isn't a lumpy mess is impossible. I have resorted to the new "natural" block materials to simulate a smooth slope or transition from one level to another, Dang. That's not easy either!


    What we really need in this community are more tutorials! I think I might be a decent builder but terraform is not my forte.

    So if you have used the terraforming tools to good effect, please post your tips, examples, videos of you doing it if you've got em! <3

    Y

    Terraforming is brutal. I do much better with the rake for evening ground. If I have to lower the ground I sometimes use a pick to make a hole then rake from there, but I no longer ever lower the ground. I'll build the lowest part and add to it for higher ground. To raise the ground I carefully add a hill then rake it even, add another hill and rake, just to get the height needed to bring the ground up.

    Hm. It needs some practice, for sure.


    F5 is the tool and then you have 1 to x (don't remember now ) for the different options.


    1 is add or remove ground

    Left to add, right click to remove

    Return key gives you a max height that you can add. This is especially helpful when you want a flat surface.

    More wheel changes the texture type


    Edit: with the G key you can switch between cubicle and sphere


    2 is smoothing


    Then there's water tool and an area tool, that let's you mark an area to add or remove.


    I also achieved some good results in blueprinting a natural terrain, a hill for example, and adding it somewhere else, then smoothing the sides until it blends into the environment

    I use mix of terraforming tools and hand tools. Sometimes its better to strike stone with sledgehammer, than trying to smooth it with brush.

    It does take time and demands patience, if you want to create naturally looking landscapes. Often when ground looks too unnatural - few placed stones can fix it (the ones that generate naturally on map, not crafted). Just resize these stones, experiment.

    I also suspect, that terrain editing is still not finished completely. Good example of it is 1x1 brush, which sometimes just refuses to work. Sometimes when I try to use it from other side of that spot - it magically starts working. So try to circle around spot a bit when you use small brush.

    I've been practicing. I can kinda, sorta get there using the F5 #2 "smoothing" tool and depending on the terrain making it bigger or smaller square (grid) or round and get a flat surface for the road, The terrain is hilly so one side will have a slope going up and one side will slope down away from the road. where the road turns, and also inclines, is a problem I am trying to solve inclines using big flat pieces of natural gravel. Seems like I can't really do a curve sideways with an incline---Maybe there's a way but it ain't simple.


    I am ALMOST POSITIVE however the that the F5 #4 "area" tool used to have the function of both Adding/raising a flat section of terrain AND removing or lowering the terrain. But that is not possible now as far as i can tell. Tried every possible key combo. I THINK. I do notice that the mouse clicks and key presses are not consistent between the tools. With the #1 tool a left click adds/raises a round/square mass above the ground level and right click lowers into the ground. (Size of the tool controls intensity or how big of a mess you're going to make.) The #2 "smoothing" tool is just the opposite. Left lowers and right raises. (This may be consistent with the rake but isn't consistent with #1 in terraforming.)


    However, the #4 area tool uses right click to raise the terrain on a flat plane above ground level, depending on where you put the level of the area box. Left click does nothing. Lowering the box doesn't lower the ground. I remember (I think and I can check an old video of mine to be sure.) That #4 in Java would lower the ground (make a hole the size of your area box) by right clicking and it would raise the ground if you had the box above ground. Maybe left click reset the area?


    Also, when using the F7 "remove" tool, how do you reset or remove an area you previously set? I can't seem to find the right mouse click or key on that either.


    (I am OLD and mind can't cope!) Having a cheat sheet or tool tips in the terraforming tool would be awesome. I think some hints are in there in the lower left corner (think you!), but more please!


    Quote from Man With a Plan

    I use mix of terraforming tools and hand tools. Sometimes its better to strike stone with sledgehammer, than trying to smooth it with brush.

    It does take time and demands patience, if you want to create naturally looking landscapes. Often when ground looks too unnatural - few placed stones can fix it (the ones that generate naturally on map, not crafted). Just resize these stones, experiment.

    I also suspect, that terrain editing is still not finished completely. Good example of it is 1x1 brush, which sometimes just refuses to work. Sometimes when I try to use it from other side of that spot - it magically starts working. So try to circle around spot a bit when you use small brush.

    Yes, I do plan on putting in lots of rocks and bushes to hide the ugly bits!

    AH!! I finally figured it out.


    Area tool: F5 #4:

    Left click + Arrows and Page Up or down to set area

    BACKSPACE to reset tool

    Delete key to delete selected ground area

    or if raising ground hit right click to fill area with ground and select texture

    select texture with mouse middle (roller)


    Also F7 Remove tool resets with Backspace.


    I've written it down!

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