Height map extension

This extension allows to build a terrain with hills where objects with the 3D physics behavior can stand.

Create a height map from a 3d model

3D modelers like Blender can be used to render a model height into a grayscale image. The model should only contain the terrain. Decorations like trees or buildings must be removed for this process.

Generate a realistic terrain

WGEN is a free and open-source height map generator. It can produce grayscale images that can be used with this extension.

Generate an endless terrain

Basic terrains can also be generated directly inside GDevelop using the noise extension.

Open example in GDevelop

Avoid stairs-like height maps

The extension can only read images as 8 bits per channel. This can lead to terrain moving up like stairs. To avoid this issue, a 16 bits grayscale image can be converted into a 8 bits RGB image that uses red and green channels.

import numpy as np, cv2

src = cv2.imread("greyscale-height-map.png",cv2.IMREAD_UNCHANGED)
h,w = src.shape
dst = np.zeros((h,w,3), np.uint8)

dst[:,:,1] = (src & 0xff00) >> 8
dst[:,:,2] = src & 0x00ff

cv2.imwrite("red-and-green-height-map.png",dst)

This is a slightly modified version of the original script written in Python.

Reference

All actions, conditions and expressions are listed in the Height map reference page.