--- title: Terrain Editor description: 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](../parts/terrain.md) through its [Create](#create-tab) and [Edit](#edit-tab) toolsets. Terrain Editor indicated in Studio's toolbar For detailed instructions on working with terrain, see the [environmental terrain](../parts/terrain.md) guide. ## Create tab The **Create** tab includes the [Import](#import), [Generate](#generate), and [Clear](#clear) tools. ### Import The **Import** tool imports a [heightmap](../parts/terrain.md#heightmaps-and-colormaps) and optional [colormap](../parts/terrain.md#heightmaps-and-colormaps) 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](#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](#edit-tab) tab tools. Generate tool indicated in Create tab of Terrain Editor
Selection settings
Size, position, and snapping options as outlined for the [Select](#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](#select), [Transform](#transform), [Fill](#fill), [Sea Level](#sea-level), [Draw](#draw), [Sculpt](#sculpt), [Smooth](#smooth), [Paint](#paint), and [Flatten](#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](../studio/explorer.md) 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](#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](#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](#select) 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](#select) 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](#select) 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](#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](#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](../parts/index.md) 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](../parts/terrain.md#terrain-materials) for **Add** mode.
### Sculpt The **Sculpt** tool **adds** or **subtracts** terrain using the brush. Unlike the [Draw](#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](#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](../parts/index.md) 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](../parts/terrain.md#terrain-materials) 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](#draw) or [Sculpt](#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](../parts/index.md) in regards to brush placement while moving the mouse pointer across part surfaces.
### Paint The **Paint** tool, using the brush, **paints** a terrain [material](../parts/terrain.md#terrain-materials) 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](../parts/index.md) 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 Flat**¹ flattens terrain above the plane. **Grow to Flat**² fills in terrain below the plane. **Flatten All**³ 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](../parts/index.md) in regards to brush placement while moving the mouse pointer across part surfaces.
## Studio shortcuts For tools which use the **brush** ([Draw](#draw), [Sculpt](#sculpt), [Smooth](#smooth), [Flatten](#flatten), [Paint](#paint)), Studio supports the following keyboard and mouse shortcuts.
Windows Mac Action
Ctrl ⌘ When held down while using the [Draw](#draw) and [Sculpt](#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](#draw) and [Sculpt](#sculpt) tools, temporarily activates the [Smooth](#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](#sculpt), [Smooth](#smooth), or [Flatten](#flatten) tool.
Alt ⌥ When held down on mouse click, shows the material picker.