Docs / Runtime Studio / Terrain Editor

Runtime Studio Plugin

Terrain Editor

Create, sculpt, paint, and save terrains while the game is running.

Terrain Editor

The Terrain Editor is sold separately and requires the Runtime Studio base package. It lets players create and edit Unity terrains at runtime.

Set up Terrain Editor

  1. Install Runtime Studio and Runtime Studio Terrain Editor.
  2. Add RuntimeStudioEditor to a scene and assign RuntimeStudioSettings.
  3. Open Tools > Fullscreen > Runtime Studio > Settings and enable the Terrain plugin.
  4. Configure the terrain assets players can use.

The Terrain settings include:

  • Terrain Material for newly created terrains
  • Default Terrain Layer so new terrains can be painted immediately
  • Terrain Layers for texture painting
  • Grass Details and Detail Meshes
  • Tree Prefabs
  • Brush Textures

You can add individual assets, multiple assets, or whole folders to these lists.

Edit terrain at runtime

Terrain editing only works while the game is running. Press Play, then click the Terrain button in the Runtime Studio toolbar.

When Terrain Mode opens, the Terrain panel appears, the Inspector panel is hidden, transform tools are disabled, and brush settings return to their defaults.

Create a terrain from the Terrain panel when no editable terrain exists, or right-click the Hierarchy and choose 3D Object > Terrain. The creation workflow lets you set the name, size, and heightmap, alphamap, and detail resolutions.

Terrain tools

The Terrain Editor includes:

  • Raise, Flatten, and Smooth
  • Texture, Details, and Trees
  • Erase and Cut Trees
  • Cut Holes and Fill Holes

Most tools use the same brush settings: radius, strength, falloff, and brush texture. Start with a smaller strength and build up the result gradually.

Paint terrain content

To paint textures, add Terrain Layers in the Terrain settings, choose the Textures tool, select a layer, and paint directly on the terrain.

To paint grass or detail meshes, add them in settings, choose the Details tool, select a detail, adjust density, and paint. Detail meshes use GPU instancing where supported.

To paint trees, add Tree Prefabs in settings, choose the Trees tool, select a tree, adjust density and random scale, and paint.

Work with larger worlds

Open the Neighbours section while a terrain is selected to create linked terrain tiles to the north, south, east, or west. Neighbours connect automatically.

Select multiple terrains in the Hierarchy to add Terrain Layers, Grass Details, Detail Meshes, and Tree Prefabs to every selected terrain at once.

Terrain edits are included automatically in save, load, export, import, undo, and redo.