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# Addon usage

This addon supports erosion for objects and images. The resulting heightmap can be applied back to the object in multiple ways, or it can be exported as an image.

Addon workflow

It can be found in the right side panel in both 3D View and Image Editor windows.

Addon UI

## Water erosion

To erode objects, select any object with a mesh and simply press erode in the corresponding tab. Objects with overlapping geometry are supported, but the resulting heightmap might not be applicable back to the object.

Once erosion starts, the object or image is converted into a heightmap. In the case of objects, the chosen image resolution becomes locked.

Hint

To pick a different resolution, you first have to clear generated textures for the current object.

Two heightmaps are created - source and current. Source is the starting point for erosion. Choosing different parameters and eroding again will start from the source map, giving you the option to test different settings. The current map is the result of erosion. It is automatically previewed.

Heightmap system after erosion

To use the current map as a starting point and to exchange maps between thermal and water erosion, simply apply it as a source in the Heightmaps subtab.

Hint

The source layer can also be set back as current to be exported or applied.

### Applying results

The current map can be applied in a few different ways.

- Automatic preview - creates a temporary modifier. Only applies to one object at a time.

- Modifier - adds a Displace modifier to the object.

- Bump - adds a bump map to the first material slot. Creates one if necessary.

- Displacement - adds a displacement map to the first material slot. Creates one if necessary.

- To mesh - applies modifiers to the mesh. Available if the preview or modifier option was chosen.

- As shape key - applies modifiers as a shape key. Available if the preview or modifier option was chosen. Locks to mesh option.

- As image - creates a Blender image of the corresponding heightmap.

### Parameters

- Iterations - number of iterations to perform.

- Lifetime - number of steps a particle can take in an iteration.

- Acceleration - defines how strongly slopes affect particle movement.

- Drag - slows down particle movement.

- Erosion smoothness - erosion strength. Slightly smoothes surface features.

- Deposition strength - strength of sedimentation.

- Capacity - particle material capacity. Higher values lead to deeper features.

High acceleration | High capacity
Short lifetime | High smoothness

### Extra functions

Water erosion can also create extra output maps:

- Color - provided color map will be transported by erosion.

- Sediment - map of sedimentation amounts.

- Depth - map of erosion depth.

Color transport example

Sediment map example | Depth map example

## Heightmap generation

Heightmaps can be generated directly at an arbitrary resolution. Cached heightmaps are also offered for direct export.

Heightmap tab example

## Flow maps

A special tab is offered for flow map generation. The output texture stores flow concentration, which can be varied by a contrast slider. Particle settings are shared with water erosion.

Flow map example

## Thermal erosion

Thermal erosion produces smooth slopes with a specified maximum angle. It shares the same heightmap system as water erosion.

Thermal erosion example

## Cleanup

Allocated textures and active preview can be released using functions in this tab.