InstaMAT’s upcoming update simplifies terrain creation with built-in erosion, asset placement, and texturing tools for faster, realistic landscapes.

Whether it’s for action-packed games or blockbuster visual effects, the ability to create compelling, realistic terrain is foundational to building immersive digital worlds that captivate audiences and support storytelling. For digital artists and environment designers, crafting believable and immersive landscapes has always been a complex process, often requiring a patchwork of specialized and expensive software. From generating realistic landforms to sculpting natural erosion and scattering environmental details, the process has historically involved juggling multiple applications, each with its own learning curve and limitations. InstaMAT aims to revolutionize this “landscape” by introducing a suite of game-changing terrain generation features in its upcoming update, transforming how artists build digital worlds.

Building Realistic Landscapes with Generative Power

At the heart of this update is a robust collection of terrain generation nodes that can be used in InstaMAT’s node-based workflow: the Element Graph. These are designed not just for creating static landscapes, but for building dynamic, realistic environments complete with natural erosion simulation and procedural 3D asset placement. Imagine being able to procedurally generate sprawling terrains, complete with naturally placed trees, grass, and rocks, all within a single application. Whether you’re creating cinematic, real-time environments for game engines like RSX Engine or crafting detailed landscapes for VFX workflows, these nodes offer an unprecedented level of control and capability.

The “peak” performer in this new suite is the Terrain Erosion node. This isn’t just a simple noise generator, but a GPU-powered tool that simulates realistic erosion, mimicking the natural processes that sculpt our planet over millennia. Artists can quickly dial in erosion settings to achieve a natural, weathered look, adding a layer of realism and detail that was previously time-consuming and difficult to achieve. Complementing the erosion capabilities are additional nodes for water and snow simulation, allowing artists to carve out winding rivers, sculpt snowy peaks, and generate intricate glaciers with ease.

Seamless Texturing and Material Application

Beyond shaping the landforms, InstaMAT’s terrain nodes also include a comprehensive collection of texturing tools. These tools simplify the process of applying materials based on various landform attributes like elevation, landform types (hills, cliffs), and the landscape’s curvature. This means you can effortlessly texture entire biomes, drawing from InstaMAT’s extensive library of texturing capabilities and AAA-quality generative materials.

This integration of terrain generation and texturing within a single application is a significant leap forward. Having materials blend seamlessly based on procedural terrain data within a single graph transforms what was once a disjointed process into a fluid, intuitive workflow. Instead of manually painting texture transitions or switching between multiple applications, artists can now define how their environments look based on the landscape itself using parameters like slope, height, and surface orientation.

This generative approach not only saves time but also ensures natural-looking results, as material transitions follow the underlying terrain logic. Artists can maintain visual consistency across vast landscapes and rapidly iterate on their material choices, experimenting with different textures and blending in real-time as they shape their environments. This immediate feedback dramatically improves the creative process, allowing artists to focus on artistic decisions rather than technical implementation.

A Unified Workflow for Environment Creation

Traditional workflows for environment creation often require artists to be proficient in numerous separate tools, each with its own cost and learning curve. InstaMAT aims to encompass the entire 3D environment workflow, allowing one software package to generate terrain geometry, place 3D objects, apply textures, and export the complete scene in a ready-to-use format. This holistic approach is only made possible by InstaMAT’s unique ability to work with images, meshes, and point clouds within the same Element Graph – a capability not found in other texturing and material creation software.

By bringing these tools together, InstaMAT empowers artists to leverage their existing texturing and material creation skills and seamlessly apply them to terrain and environment creation. The concepts they are already familiar with can now be extended to craft entire worlds. The addition of these powerful terrain generation features, alongside other exciting updates like new curves nodes, viewport improvements, and new nodes for stylized texture creation, positions InstaMAT as a truly comprehensive solution for 3D content creation.

Experience InstaMAT’s Terrain with AR Now!

Get a realtime look at a mountainous terrain generated with InstaMAT brought to you by Abstract Polyverse. Explore the intricate details of the 1 million-polygon terrain mesh that was automatically optimized for quick viewing on the web and on mobile devices.

About Abstract

Abstract is a deep-tech company pioneering 3D and AI technology. Its products empower game developers, VFX and film, enterprise, XR, and metaverse industries to deliver efficiently with massive cost savings. InstaLOD converts CAD to 3D, optimizes geometry and automates 3D pipelines, InstaMAT introduces generative materials and scalable texturing, Polyverse enhances cloud-based asset management and 3D data processing as a service, while RSX Engine enables real-time collaboration and cloud synchronization when building 3D applications and games. Abstract is driving breakthrough innovation in 3D and AI across industries.