Have you ever wondered how to create a terrain in Roblox Studio? Well, today we’ll go over the basics of the Terrain Editor, how to shape a landscape, and create your very own terrain in Roblox Studio. This is perfect for beginners who are still nailing down the basic functions of the game and want to improve their skills. Be sure to follow along and let’s get started!
Getting Started with Terrains
The Terrain editor allows you to create realistic terrain environments, like bodies of water, hills, mountains and so much more. Mastering this skill will be crucial when you start building more advanced game worlds.
Let’s shape a landscape to learn the basics of the Terrain Editor.
Creating a Landscape
Log into Roblox Studio or download it if you haven’t yet > open up a Base Plate
Today we’re going to make a simple landscape, a lake, and a few hills to teach you the basics of terrain and modeling.Â
The first thing you want to do is click the Editor under the Home tab at the top of your screen.
The Terrain Editor will pop up on the left-hand side as a panel with three tabs:Â
- Create
- Region
- Edit
Tap the Edit tab > Add
Where it says Plane Lock, select Manual which allows you to edit the plane.
Adjust the level of the plane to your desired height. We placed our plane just below the spawn point. Once it’s where you want, tap Apply (blue button).
Brush Settings
There are three different brush settings you can use to add terrain.Â
- Sphere
- Cube
- Cylinder
Â
Tap on a cube. You’ll be able to adjust the base size, height, and many other features on this screen.
Make the cube as big or as small as you want by adjusting the base size and height.Â
Hot Tip: If you want to adjust the base size and height separately, click the lock button.
Drag and drop the terrain wherever you want using your mouse.
You should now see a grassy square-shaped piece of land in your plane.
Add a Lake
Now, let’s add a small lake, just to spice things up.
You’re going to subtract some of the land that you have right now to make room for the lake. To do this, in your Terrain Editor, select Subtract under the Edit tab, and choose a brush setting (we chose a sphere).Â
Change the plane lock to Auto so you can start modeling on top of the terrain you just added. You should see the brush on top of your terrain now.
If you don’t do this, your brush will be stuck to the original plane that you created at the beginning.
Left-click your mouse to start carving out the shape of a lake. This doesn’t have to be perfect. Just have fun!
Once you’re done, select Add from the Terrain Editor > select Water (under Material Settings) > adjust the Base Size and Height to make the water fit into the lake (left click to place).
Now you officially have a lake! Great job!
Get the Top 5 Resources Kids Use to Learn Code
These resources are organized by cost, difficulty level, and learning style to help you choose the right one.
Adding Hills and Mountains
So far you’ve learned how to build a terrain and some water to create a natural lake. Now let’s learn how to create hills using the Grow tool.
Select Grow under the Terrain Editor > left click and hold as you move your mouse around the terrain to make hills. These can be as wild or as mild as you’d like.Â
Let the creativity flow here!
Hot Tip: The longer you hold your mouse down, the more your hill/mountain will grow.
Now, you should have a small (or big) hill in place.
Tools To Be Aware Of
Erode
If you want to make some valleys, canyons, or trenches within your terrain, select Erode, hold the left click, and perform the same motions wherever you want the terrain to be eroded.
Smooth
If you ever create sharp edges in your terrain that you want to soften, select the Smooth tool within the editor to smooth those out.
Flatten
To make your terrain, hills, or mountains the same height, use the Flatten feature.
In nature, nothing is perfect or symmetrical, so play around with the different features and shapes until you make something you’re happy with.
Paint
If you don’t want to change the shape of, say, a valley you just created but want to add new material, select the Paint tool, choose your material, and apply it to your desired area.Â
We added some mud to our valley here.
Adding Trees or Other Objects
Let’s add a tree to complete the new terrain we just designed.Â
Under the Home tab select Toolbox > Marketplace > Search “Tree” > pick one that you like
Adjust the size and placement of your tree as you see fit.
If you’re not sure how to move, scale, and adjust objects in Roblox Studio, check out our other blog post here that will walk you through step-by-step how to do it.Â
And there you have it. Your basic landscape is now complete!
The Takeaway
Even if you’re brand-spankin’ new to Roblox, you don’t have to feel overwhelmed. Building a terrain within Roblox can be relatively easy, as we’ve shown you here. The more you play, experiment and practice, the better you get. And before you know it, you’ll be creating games like the pros!
Want to build a Roblox game of your own but with expert help?Â
LogoLife hosts Coding Workshops for teens who are interested in learning how to code. You’ll learn coding fundamentals while creating your very own game in Roblox, all with our help along the way. Check out our site here to see when the next workshop is!
If you like connecting with other aspiring game creators, join our Discord group and get involved in our community!
Get the Top 5 Resources Kids Use to Learn Code
These resources are organized by cost, difficulty level, and learning style to help you choose the right one.
Everything About Ivy League GPA Requirements
Navigating the path to Ivy League admissions can be as challenging as it is rewarding. For parents eager to support their children’s academic aspirations, understanding
5 Little-Known Scholarships That Could Save You Thousands on College Tuition
Embarking on the college journey can bring a mix of excitement and anxiety, especially when it comes to finances. Fortunately, there’s a treasure trove of
How to Find Summer Internships and Volunteer Programs
In today’s competitive college admissions landscape, simply having good grades and test scores is not enough. Colleges are looking for well-rounded applicants who have demonstrated
Ensuring Your Homeschool Curriculum Meets College Admissions Standards
Understanding College Admissions Criteria One of the most pressing concerns for homeschooling parents as their children approach college age is whether their homeschool curriculum is
