5 Quick Fixes for Terrain Issues in Rimworld

Terrain Issues in Rimworld

If you’re an avid RimWorld player, you’ve probably encountered the dreaded terrain smoothing issue. But fear not! In this comprehensive guide, we’ll delve into the root causes of this glitch and provide step-by-step solutions to restore your gameplay to its former glory. Whether you’re a seasoned veteran or a newfound colonist, this guide will equip you with the knowledge to conquer this virtual obstacle.

Firstly, let’s understand why this issue arises. Terrain smoothing in RimWorld is a feature designed to prevent unsightly terrain transitions and ensure a smooth visual experience. However, under certain circumstances, this feature can malfunction, resulting in unnaturally flat terrain. This can disrupt your base layout, obstruct pathfinding, and even impact gameplay mechanics.

To resolve this issue, we need to delve into the game’s code and make some targeted adjustments. One common cause of terrain smoothing glitches is mod conflicts. Certain mods may not be compatible with each other, leading to unintended consequences like terrain flattening. To address this, disable non-essential mods one by one and observe the changes in terrain behavior. If the issue persists, consider reverting to an earlier game version or reaching out to the mod developers for support.

Troubleshooting Common Terrain Issues

1. Terrain not loading or appearing correctly

This issue can be caused by a number of factors, including missing or corrupted game files, outdated graphics drivers, or conflicts with other mods. To troubleshoot, try the following steps:
– Verify the integrity of your game files through Steam.
– Update your graphics drivers to the latest version.
– Disable any mods that may be causing conflicts.
– Reinstall the game if necessary.
If the issue persists, you may need to contact RimWorld support for further assistance.

2. Buildings sinking into the terrain

This issue is often caused by a mod that alters the terrain’s heightmap. To fix it, disable the mod and regenerate the terrain.

3. Water not flowing correctly

This issue can be caused by a number of factors, including incorrect terrain settings, missing or corrupted game files, or outdated graphics drivers. To troubleshoot, try the following steps:
– Check the terrain settings in the game’s options menu.
– Verify the integrity of your game files through Steam.
– Update your graphics drivers to the latest version.
– Reinstall the game if necessary.
If the issue persists, you may need to contact RimWorld support for further assistance.

4. Terrain clipping through buildings

This issue is often caused by a mod that alters the terrain’s heightmap. To fix it, disable the mod and regenerate the terrain.

5. Other terrain issues

If you are experiencing any other terrain issues, try the following steps:
– Verify the integrity of your game files through Steam.
– Update your graphics drivers to the latest version.
– Reinstall the game if necessary.
If the issue persists, you may need to contact RimWorld support for further assistance.

Using Dev Mode to Modify Terrain

Dev Mode, accessible by pressing Ctrl+F12 in-game, provides a wide range of tools for manipulating the game world. Among them are several options that allow for precise terrain editing.

Manually Shaping Terrain

To manually sculpt terrain, select the “Terrain” tab in Dev Mode. Here, you have three main tools at your disposal:

Raise/Lower Terrain: Use the scroll wheel to adjust the height of the selected area.
Smooth Terrain: Blend the edges between adjacent areas to create a more natural look.
Set Terrain Type: Change the surface cover of the terrain, such as grass, dirt, or stone.

Regenerating Terrain

Dev Mode also allows you to regenerate specific terrain features. This can be useful for restoring destroyed areas or creating new ones. To regenerate terrain:

Select the “Terrain” tab in Dev Mode.
Click on the “Regenerate Terrain” button.
In the pop-up window, specify the type and size of the terrain you want to regenerate.

Using the Development Tools

The “Terrain” tab also includes a number of advanced tools aimed at assisting modders and developers. These tools provide granular control over various terrain parameters, such as slope, elevation, and texture. For the average player, these options may be overwhelming and are best left to experienced users.

Clearing Obstacles

Clearing obstacles is the first step to leveling ground in RimWorld. This involves removing any trees, rocks, or other objects that are in the way. There are a few ways to do this:

Manual labor: You can use your colonists to manually remove obstacles by selecting them and clicking on the "Clear" button. This is the slowest method, but it’s also the most precise.
Construction: You can build roads or other structures over obstacles to make them passable. This is a faster method than manual labor, but it can be more expensive.
Explosives: You can use explosives to destroy obstacles. This is the fastest method, but it can also be dangerous.

Leveling Ground

Once you’ve cleared the obstacles, you can start leveling the ground. This involves raising or lowering the ground to create a flat surface. There are a few ways to do this:

Manual labor: You can use your colonists to manually level the ground by selecting them and clicking on the "Level" button. This is the slowest method, but it’s also the most precise.
Construction: You can build ramps or other structures to level the ground. This is a faster method than manual labor, but it can be more expensive.
Terrain manipulation tools: There are a few tools that can be used to manipulate the terrain in RimWorld. These tools include the "Smooth Ground" tool and the "Raise Ground" tool.

Using the Elevate Terrain Tool

The Elevate Terrain tool is one of the most powerful tools for leveling ground in RimWorld. This tool allows you to raise or lower the ground by a specific amount. To use the Elevate Terrain tool, simply select it from the toolbar and then click on the ground. A dialog box will appear that allows you to specify the amount by which you want to raise or lower the ground.

Amount	Effect
1	Raises or lowers the ground by 1 meter
10	Raises or lowers the ground by 10 meters
100	Raises or lowers the ground by 100 meters

Creating Slopes and Ramps

Slopes and ramps are essential for navigating uneven terrain in Rimworld. Creating a slope involves designating an area of terrain and selecting the “Create Slope” option. The game will automatically generate a slope that is passable by pawns and vehicles. Slopes can be created with a variety of angles and directions.

Ramps are used to connect different levels of terrain. To create a ramp, designate an area of terrain and select the “Create Ramp” option. The game will generate a ramp that is passable by pawns and vehicles. Ramps can be created with a variety of angles and heights.

Ramps for Vehicles

When creating ramps for vehicles, it is important to consider the vehicle’s size and weight. Larger vehicles will require wider and longer ramps. The ramp’s angle should also be gradual enough to allow vehicles to ascend and descend safely. The table below provides general guidelines for creating ramps for vehicles:

Vehicle	Ramp Width	Ramp Length	Ramp Angle
Pawn	1 tile	2 tiles	45 degrees
Donkey	2 tiles	3 tiles	30 degrees
Horse	3 tiles	4 tiles	20 degrees
Orc	4 tiles	5 tiles	15 degrees
Elephant	5 tiles	6 tiles	10 degrees

It is also important to note that ramps can be used to create fortifications. By creating a ramp that leads to a higher elevation, pawns can gain an advantage in combat and archery. Ramps can also be used to create traps, such as by creating a ramp that leads to a pit of spikes.

Building on Uneven or Sloped Terrain

Building on uneven or sloped terrain can be a challenge in RimWorld. However, it is possible to do so with a little bit of creativity and planning.

Leveling the Ground

If the terrain is very uneven, you may need to level it out before you can build. This can be done by using the “Smooth” or “Flatten” tool. You can also use the “Raise” or “Lower” tool to create a gradual slope.

When leveling the ground, it is important to keep in mind the following:

The smoother the ground, the easier it will be to build on.
You can use the “Smooth” or “Flatten” tool to create a perfectly flat surface.
You can use the “Raise” or “Lower” tool to create a gradual slope.

Building on Slopes

If the terrain is sloping, you may need to build your structures on stilts or walls. This will help to keep them level and prevent them from collapsing.

Staircase Structures

Staircase structures are a great way to build on slopes. They can be used to create ramps, stairs, and other structures that allow you to access different levels of your base.

To build a staircase structure, simply place a series of walls on the slope. Then, use the “Smooth” or “Flatten” tool to create a smooth surface on the top of the walls. You can then place doors or windows in the walls to allow access to the different levels of your base.

Pillar Support

Pillar support is another way to build on slopes. This involves placing pillars on the slope to support your structures.

To use pillar support, simply place a series of pillars on the slope. Then, build your structures on top of the pillars. This will help to keep your structures level and prevent them from collapsing.

Creating Platforms

Creating platforms is a great way to build on slopes without having to use stilts or walls. This involves creating a flat surface on the slope by using the “Smooth” or “Flatten” tool.

To create a platform, simply select the area you want to flatten and use the “Smooth” or “Flatten” tool. You can then build your structures on the platform.

Fixing Elevation Problems

Elevation problems can occur when you generate a new world or when you try to modify the terrain. These problems can manifest in a variety of ways, such as:

The ground is too high or too low in some areas.
There are sharp cliffs or ridges that are difficult to traverse.
Water is flowing in the wrong direction or is pooling in strange places.

These problems can be fixed using the following steps:

1. Identify the problem areas.

The first step is to identify the areas where the elevation is causing problems. You can do this by looking at the terrain map or by using the debug tools to display the elevation values. Once you have identified the problem areas, you can start to fix them.

2. Use the terrain tools to adjust the elevation.

RimWorld provides a number of tools that you can use to adjust the elevation of the terrain. These tools can be found in the “Terrain” tab of the development tools. You can use the “Raise” and “Lower” tools to adjust the elevation of the ground by a specific amount. You can also use the “Smooth” tool to smooth out the terrain and remove sharp cliffs or ridges.

3. Use the water tools to fix water flow problems.

If you are having problems with water flow, you can use the water tools to fix them. These tools can be found in the “Water” tab of the development tools. You can use the “Dig” tool to create rivers and streams. You can also use the “Fill” tool to fill in bodies of water. You can use the “Smooth” tool to smooth out the water flow and remove any unwanted pools or depressions.

4. Use the debug tools to fix other elevation problems.

If you are unable to fix the elevation problems using the terrain tools or the water tools, you can use the debug tools to fix them. These tools can be found in the “Debug” tab of the development tools. You can use the “Set Elevation” tool to set the elevation of a specific tile to a specific value. You can also use the “Smooth Elevation” tool to smooth out the elevation of a specific area by using the below command in the command window on the debug tools.

Command	Description
smoothElevationall delta=0.1 minSize=10	Smooths the entire map by 0.1, with a minimum area of 10 tiles.

5. Save your changes.

Once you have made the changes to the elevation, you need to save your changes. You can do this by clicking on the “Save” button in the development tools. Your changes will be saved to a file that you can load later if you need to make any further changes.

6.Test your changes.

Once you have saved your changes, you should test them to make sure that they are working correctly. You can do this by loading the game and playing around with the terrain. Make sure that the elevation is correct and that there are no problems with water flow. If you find any problems, you can go back to the development tools and make further changes.

Dealing with Waterlogged Areas

Waterlogged areas can be a nuisance in RimWorld. They can make it difficult for your colonists to move around, and they can also attract insects and other pests. There are a few things you can do to fix waterlogged areas:

7 Ways to Fix Waterlogged Areas:

Build a drain

This is the most effective way to fix a waterlogged area. Drains will automatically remove water from an area, and they can be placed anywhere. However, they require a lot of resources to build, and they can be difficult to place in some areas.
Pump the water out

This is a less effective but cheaper way to fix a waterlogged area. You can use a water pump to pump the water out of an area, but you will need to keep the pump running constantly. This can be a problem if you are short on power.
Build a sandbag wall

This is a temporary way to fix a waterlogged area. Sandbag walls will block the water from flowing into an area, but they will not remove the water that is already there. This can be a good option if you are short on resources or if you need to fix a waterlogged area quickly.
Build a channel

This is a good way to redirect water away from a waterlogged area. Channels will direct the water to a different area, where it will not cause any problems. This can be a good option if you have a large waterlogged area that you need to fix.
Dig a hole

This is a simple way to fix a small waterlogged area. Digging a hole will allow the water to drain away. However, this will only work if the waterlogged area is small.
Use a mod

There are a number of mods that can help you fix waterlogged areas. These mods can add new ways to remove water, or they can change the way that water flows in the game. This can be a good option if you are having trouble fixing waterlogged areas with the vanilla game.
Leave it alone

In some cases, it may be best to leave a waterlogged area alone. Waterlogged areas can provide a habitat for certain plants and animals, and they can also help to cool your colony. If the waterlogged area is not causing any problems, then you may want to consider leaving it alone.

Advanced Terrain Manipulation Techniques

In addition to the basic techniques described above, there are a number of advanced terrain manipulation techniques that can be used to create more complex and interesting maps.

Using the Terrain Designer

The Terrain Designer is a powerful tool that allows you to create custom terrain maps. You can use the Terrain Designer to create a wide variety of different terrain types, including mountains, valleys, rivers, and lakes. You can also use the Terrain Designer to add objects to your map, such as trees, rocks, and buildings.

Using the Embankments Tool

The Embankments Tool can be used to create embankments, which are raised areas of land. Embankments can be used to create a variety of different effects, such as blocking the flow of water, creating defensive positions, or simply adding visual interest to your map.

Using the Terraform Tool

The Terraform Tool can be used to change the terrain type of an area. This can be useful for creating specific terrain types, such as swamps or deserts. You can also use the Terraform Tool to smooth out terrain, or to create slopes.

Using the Create Terrain Feature Tool

The Create Terrain Feature Tool can be used to create a variety of different terrain features, such as mountains, valleys, and rivers. You can also use the Create Terrain Feature Tool to add objects to your map, such as trees, rocks, and buildings.

Using the Edit Terrain Tool

The Edit Terrain Tool can be used to edit the terrain of your map. You can use the Edit Terrain Tool to raise or lower the terrain, to smooth out terrain, or to create slopes. You can also use the Edit Terrain Tool to add objects to your map, such as trees, rocks, and buildings.

Using the Paint Terrain Tool

The Paint Terrain Tool can be used to change the terrain type of an area. This can be useful for creating specific terrain types, such as swamps or deserts. You can also use the Paint Terrain Tool to smooth out terrain, or to create slopes.

Using the Erase Terrain Tool

The Erase Terrain Tool can be used to remove terrain. This can be useful for creating specific terrain types, such as lakes or canyons. You can also use the Erase Terrain Tool to smooth out terrain, or to create slopes.

Mods to Enhance Terrain Management

Efficient Terrain Management

With the Colony Manager mod, you can automate terrain smoothing and other tasks, freeing up valuable construction time for your colonists. It provides a user-friendly interface that lets you set specific smoothing parameters and prioritize areas for improvement.

Versatile Terrain Manipulation

The Terrain Manipulator mod gives you precise control over terrain modifications. It allows you to raise or lower ground levels, create embankments, and even carve out tunnels with ease. The mod offers multiple modes of operation, including smoothing, leveling, and terraforming, providing immense flexibility for shaping your environment.

Aesthetic Enhancements

The Real Ruins mod adds a layer of realism and visual interest to your settlements. It generates ruins with varying levels of decay and deterioration, creating a sense of history and immersion. The mod also introduces vegetation growth on ruins, transforming them into overgrown structures that blend seamlessly with the surrounding environment.

Environmental Control

The Weather Widget mod provides valuable information about weather patterns and allows you to forecast future conditions. With this mod, you can plan ahead for extreme weather events, such as storms or heat waves, and make necessary preparations to mitigate their effects on your colony.

Customizable Terrain Textures

The Terrain Textures mod offers a wide range of customizable terrain textures, allowing you to tailor the appearance of your world to your liking. From lush grasslands to arid deserts, you can choose from a variety of options to create a visually stunning and immersive environment.

Improved Pathfinding

The Path Avoid mod can be used to specify specific areas that pawns should avoid when navigating. This can be useful for keeping pawns away from dangerous zones, such as traps or enemy territory, and improving the efficiency of their movement.

Dynamic Terraforming

The Dynamic Terraforming mod introduces real-time terrain deformation. As pawns move around your environment, they will leave footprints and alter the terrain beneath them. This adds a sense of realism and dynamism to your world, allowing for the gradual creation of paths and the weathering of surfaces over time.

Erosion and Sedimentation

The Erosion and Sedimentation mod simulates the natural processes of erosion and sedimentation. As water flows across the terrain, it will erode soil and transport it to lower elevations, creating realistic landscapes over time. This mod can add an element of environmentalism to your game, as you need to manage the erosion of your land and the accumulation of sediment.

Landscaping Enhancements

The Landscaping mod provides a comprehensive suite of tools for terrain manipulation. With this mod, you can easily create hills, cliffs, rivers, and other natural formations. It also includes features for creating custom terrain textures and importing heightmaps from external sources, providing endless possibilities for creating unique and immersive environments.

Vegetation

Clear away trees, bushes, and other vegetation to create a more open and usable area. This will also make it easier to spot enemies and animals.

Rocks

Rocks can be a nuisance, but they can also be used to your advantage. Build walls or other structures around them to create defensive positions.

Water

Water can be a valuable resource, but it can also be a hazard. Create irrigation systems to water your crops, but be careful not to flood your base.

Mountains

Mountains can provide natural protection from enemies, but they can also be difficult to traverse. Use mountain passes or build roads to make it easier to get around.

Hills

Hills can provide a good vantage point, but they can also be difficult to defend. Build fortifications on hills to give yourself a tactical advantage.

Swamps

Swamps are difficult to traverse, but they can also be a good place to hide. Build bridges or other structures to make it easier to get through swamps.

Deserts

Deserts are hot and dry, but they can also be beautiful. Plant trees or other vegetation to create shade and make your desert base more livable.

Forests

Forests provide plenty of resources, but they can also be dangerous. Be careful of wild animals and other threats when exploring forests.

Tundra

Tundra is cold and barren, but it can also be beautiful. Build warm shelters and use animal skins to keep yourself warm in the tundra.

How To Fix Terrain Rimworld

When playing RimWorld, you may encounter situations where the terrain around your colony is uneven or inconvenient. Fortunately, there are several ways to fix terrain in RimWorld and make it more suitable for your needs.

One method is to use the “Terrain Modify” tool. This tool allows you to raise or lower the elevation of the terrain within a certain range. You can also use the tool to create ramps or stairs to connect different levels of terrain. To use the “Terrain Modify” tool, select it from the toolbar and then click and drag on the terrain you wish to modify.

Another way to fix terrain is to use a mod called “Terrain Repainter”. This mod allows you to change the texture of the terrain to match your desired aesthetic. For example, you can use the mod to make a rocky terrain look like grass or a sandy terrain look like snow. To use the “Terrain Repainter” mod, download it from the Steam Workshop and activate it in your game’s mod manager.