Terrain Multi blend node

• Adding a terrain Multi blend node
• Editing the Multi blend node
• Parameters

Adding a terrain Multi blend node

This node blends an unlimited number (in practice up to 10) of terrains using the different blend modes available in Instant Terra.

By default, it has three input connectors:

• The first is the terrain, which serves as a base. It determines the size of the terrain. All other terrains are blended onto this one.
• The second is the terrain to blend with the first one. It constitutes the first layer of the node. Several other layers can be added.
• The last connector is an optional mask used to define the places where the blending should take place. It is shared by all layers.

If two different masks are needed for two layers, two Multi blend, Blend, or Full composition nodes must be used instead of one Multi blend node.

To add a node, right-click in the Graph Editor and select Create Node  > Terrain composition > Multi blend.

Double click on the node to open its parameters:

Editing the Multi blend node

• Layer: Assign a name to a layer. The default name is "Layer 1" for the first layer, "Layer 2" for the second, and so on.
• Blend mode: Select a blend mode from the drop-down list.
  
  
  
  

  These modes, except for the Mix and Max modes, are the same as those of the Blend and Full composition nodes,
  
  When a layer uses the Min or Max mode, the color map is not modified, even if the input terrain has a color map.
  For example, when blending the following terrains with the "max" mode:
  
  

  
  
  The result is as follows:
  
  
  
  Whereas with the Blend node, the result is as follows:
  
  
  
  

  If you want the color map to be updated when blending in the Min or Max mode, you must use one or more  Blend nodes instead of a Multi blend node.

• Blending ratio: Use the slider to define the proportion of blending from 0 (no effect) to 100 (complete blending).
  
  

  If a terrain has a color map, the blending ratio for color maps is the same as for the terrain. Unlike the Blend and Full composition nodes, it is not possible to have a different blending coefficient for terrains and for color maps. If you want to have a different blending coefficient, use a Blend or Full composition node.

• Tile X and Tile Y: Check the options to repeat the terrain along the X axis or along the Y axis.
  
  
  
  
• Activate or deactivate a layer: Use the button to enable and disable layers.
• Add a layer: Use the button to add a layer. The node acquires an additional input connector to connect the terrain of the new layer.
  
  
• Delete a layer: If the node has several layers, click on the delete button of a layer to delete it. The connector associated with the layer is deleted.
  
• Change the layer order: The order in which the different layers are applied affects the final result. Change the order of the layers by using the buttons to move up or down a layer. The connectors follow the order of the layers.
  
• Change the scale of a terrain of a layer: By default, the terrain of a layer retains its initial size. If it is not the same size as the output terrain, it only covers part of the output terrain it is smaller and only part of this terrain will be blended if it is larger. The operation is therefore similar to that of the Full composition node (the terrain to blend retains its default size), rather than that of the Blend node (the terrain to blend is automatically scaled). If the terrain of a layer is not the same size as the output terrain, the Scale button scales it so that it covers the entire terrain.
  Conversely, the Reset button below reverts the terrain to its original size.
  
• Translate, rotate, or scale a terrain with the manipulator: �When you select a layer, a manipulator appears in the 3D window to move the terrain layer.
  
  
  
  By clicking the right mouse button for the first time, the scale manipulator opens.
  
  
  
  Clicking a second time with the right mouse button opens the rotation manipulator.
  
  
  
  A third click opens the translation manipulator

  The Scale and Reset buttons return respectively to the size of the entire output terrain to the initial size of the terrain layer. They also reset the translation (back to center) and rotation (no more rotation).