Creating a Simple Landscape

Short Version

Right-click in the blank graph, and type in ump , cg, ss -- which will expand it to Slump, Craggy, Sandstone. Or you can create and connect these nodes one by one.

You now have a relatively production-ready terrain.

Detailed Version

Objective

This tutorial guides you through the process of creating a basic rocky landscape in Gaea 2 using the Slump and Sandstone nodes. This example will demonstrate how to use the chain creation feature for efficient workflow and the rendering adjustments needed to enhance the visualization of the terrain.

Requirements

• Gaea 2 Early Access build

• Basic familiarity with Gaea 2 interface and node operations

Procedure

1. Starting a New Project

   • Launch Gaea 2.

   • Select File > New Project to start a fresh workspace.

2. Creating Terrain Nodes

   • Right-click in the node workspace and begin typing Slump, then select it from the list to create the node.

   • Continue to right-click and type Craggy and Sandstone to add these nodes.

   • Utilize the chain creation feature by simply typing the names of the nodes (Slump, Craggy, Sandstone) sequentially. Gaea will automatically connect these nodes in the order they are typed.

3. Configuring the Slump Node

   • Select the Slump node.

   • Adjust parameters to achieve a mellow landscape base. Default parameters will generally suffice for a basic shape.

4. Applying the Craggy Node

   • Select the Craggy node connected to Slump.

   • This node modifies the terrain to a more rugged, rock-like landscape while preserving the heightfield's integrity.

   • Examine the effects and adjust parameters to refine the rock textures and features.

5. Enhancing with Sandstone

   • Select the Sandstone node, linked after Craggy.

   • This node adds a crinkly, delicate layering to the landscape, enhancing the sedimentary rock appearance.

   • Adjust the Sandstone settings to control the intensity and scale of the layering effects.

6. Visualizing the Terrain

   • Change the rendering mode to better visualize the rocky texture. Select View > Rendering Mode and choose an option that enhances the terrain's visibility, such as neutral lighting.

   • Increase the resolution for finer detail. Go to View > Resolution and select a higher resolution setting.

7. Final Adjustments and Preview

   • Review all node settings and make final adjustments to fine-tune the landscape appearance.

   • Preview the terrain in various lighting and angles to ensure the desired outcome is achieved.

Conclusion

This simple tutorial demonstrates the basic process of creating a textured rocky landscape in Gaea 2 using Slump, Craggy, and Sandstone nodes. Experiment with different parameters and nodes to further customize and refine your terrain.

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Feel free to modify or extend this tutorial to suit the specific needs and scope of your technical manual.