How to make large areas appear more natural

Timicus2000 · June 2018

Hi everyone,

I'm new to this software, but I'm enjoying using it a lot! I have a problem that I couldn't find an answer to on the forums or you tube, so maybe someone can help.

I want to make a map that is a city inside a massive cavern using DD3. I have selected a rock background which would look good in a small area, but because it is a large flat area it looks unnaturally repetitive. It looks like lots of squares of the same thing next to each other. Does anyone have any tips for solving this problem?

Thanks in advance for an help!

Monsen · June 2018

To reduce the repetition, you can change the scale of the fill. Click the fill style indicator in the top right, go to thee bitmap files tab, find the fill you used in the list, and change the values for 'Scaled'.
Another thing that helps is to create areas of different fill styles overlapping the repetitive one. Make them a bit random, and use edge fade to blend them in.

Loopysue · June 2018

Also bear in mind that most of that background will disappear underneath all the houses and roads. It doesn't take very much to break up a repetitive pattern - surprisingly little in fact

Timicus2000 · June 2018

Thanks for the help, I’ll give it a try!

Loopysue · June 2018

If it doesn't work for you for any reason just show us a screen shot and maybe we can help a bit more

Timicus2000 · June 2018

Looks great just with changing the scale! Thanks so much for the help :)

Topdecker · July 2018

I often time will create sheet just above the ground sheet with a 70% transparency filter and edge fades and then draw filled shapes along terrain lines. This breaks up the repetitive fills while enhancing the natural appearance of the map.

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How to make large areas appear more natural

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