Getting Started
From blank canvas to sculpted terrain in minutes. No install. No drama. Just open and build.
What You Need
A modern browser with WebGL2 support. That's it. No downloads, no GPU driver wizards, no licensing. Terraformer runs entirely in your browser.
- Chrome or Edge — recommended for the best WebGL performance
- Firefox — fully supported
- Safari — works but WebGL2 performance may vary
- A decent GPU — integrated graphics works for small terrains; discrete GPU recommended for 1024+ grids
For the smoothest experience, use Chrome with hardware acceleration enabled. Terraformer renders in real-time using Babylon.js — more GPU headroom means smoother sculpting.
Two Ways to Use Terraformer
🌐 Standalone Mode
Navigate directly to poqpoq.com/terraformer. Full access to all features. Generate any size terrain (up to 2000×2000). Export as BBT bundles, GLB meshes, or raw heightmaps.
Best for: Terrain artists, level designers, anyone building landscapes for any project.
🌎 poqpoq World Mode
Launched from inside poqpoq World via the NEXUS integration. Terrain size is capped to match the world's requirements. A one-click Export to World button sends the terrain directly back.
Best for: World builders who want terrain inside their poqpoq world space.
The Interface
When Terraformer loads, you see a 3D viewport with a toolbar on the left. Everything is organized into collapsible panels:
| Panel | What It Does |
|---|---|
| Terrain | Size, resolution, noise parameters, biome selection, and the Generate button |
| Sculpt | Brush tools — raise, lower, smooth, flatten, level. Adjustable radius and strength |
| Erosion | Hydraulic erosion simulation with fractal drainage overlay |
| Water | Ocean enable/disable, water level height, basin lake controls |
| Textures | Biome texture assignment — height-based and slope-aware blending |
| Museum Block | The display pedestal beneath the terrain. Depth, color, and visibility |
| Export | Save as BBT bundle, export GLB, or push to poqpoq World |
Navigating the Viewport
| Action | Control |
|---|---|
| Orbit | Left-click + drag (or middle-click + drag) |
| Pan | Right-click + drag |
| Zoom | Scroll wheel |
| Reset camera | Double-click on the terrain |
Your First Terrain
- Open Terraformer Navigate to poqpoq.com/terraformer in your browser. The viewport loads with an empty scene.
- Pick a Biome In the Terrain panel, select a biome preset: Mountain, Desert, Arctic, Forest, Beach, Grassland, or Magical. Each preset configures noise, textures, and erosion for that landscape type.
-
Set Your Size
Choose a terrain size. Start with
256or512for fast iteration. You can go up to2000for production terrains. - Hit Generate Click the Generate Terrain button. In a few seconds your terrain appears — fully textured, with erosion channels and drainage patterns carved in.
- Sculpt It Switch to the Sculpt panel. Pick a brush (raise, lower, smooth) and click-drag on the terrain to shape it by hand. Adjust brush radius and strength to taste.
- Add Water Open the Water panel and enable the ocean. Adjust the water level slider — the glass aquarium block appears with a reflective surface. The steel rim frames it like a museum piece.
-
Export
When you're happy, open Export and save as a
.bbtbundle (for re-editing later) or.glb(for use in any 3D application).
If you launched Terraformer from poqpoq World, you'll see a glowing Export to World hero button at the bottom of the screen. Click it to push your terrain directly into the world — no file management required.
What's Next
Terrain Generation
Deep dive into noise algorithms, biome shaping, and the generation pipeline.
Learn generation →Water System
Ocean surfaces, glass aquarium walls, basin lakes, and the steel rim.
Explore water →World Integration
The NEXUS pipeline — how Terraformer connects to poqpoq World.
See World workflow →