Using a heightmap in Unity primarily involves obtaining or creating the heightmap image file, preparing it correctly, and then importing it into your Unity project. Once imported, it can be used to define the terrain elevation for a Unity Terrain object.
Obtaining and Preparing Your Heightmap
Before bringing a heightmap into Unity, you typically need to source or create one. This might involve using specialized software or online tools to generate a heightmap based on real-world data or procedural generation.
As a practical step mentioned in the process:
- Create a 3D Map of the desired area.
- Download the Texture and Heightmap set associated with the area.
- When exporting the heightmap, Use the 16 bit option in the exporter. This higher bit depth allows for more detail and smoother transitions in terrain elevation compared to an 8-bit image.
Importing the Heightmap into Unity
Once you have your prepared heightmap image file (often in formats like .png or .raw), you need to import it into your Unity project's assets.
The Import Process
The specific steps to get the heightmap file recognized by Unity are straightforward:
- In Unity, select “Assets” - “Import New Asset” from the menu.
- Locate the heightmap image file on your computer.
- Select it to begin the import process.
After selecting the file, Unity imports the image, and it will appear in your Project window like any other texture asset. This heightmap image asset can then be applied to a Terrain object within your scene to automatically shape its landscape according to the elevation data stored in the image's grayscale values.
