Streams/creeks

[PKMN Trainer Orange]

Im trying to create a hilly map next to the mountains (similar to cities around the rockies and appalachians) with some creeks and streams, flowing together to make a river on the other side. I can make a naturally flowing river easily, but i cant get a stream at all. If i put the water capacity too low then the water doesn't reach the other end. If i raise the capacity to where it reaches the end, i come up with a river that is too large to call a creek.

Also i am curious about scale, even the smallest brush at the smallest size seems too big, and softening will fill the gap too much.

Any ideas?

[grapplehoeker]

Use strategically placed water spawners set at very low capacity to maintain capacity where the stream is too weak. 0.1 should be enough to maintain the surface level, at least until it merges with more streams and then it should be naturally flowing without further assistance needed.
For an example of this, you may examine my map.
http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=725914909
Hope that helps ;)

[PKMN Trainer Orange]

That will, i will have to check it out. Always good to have a reference. Thanks.
Ill have to try out more spawners.

[PKMN Trainer Orange]

Beautiful map, just quickly checked it out. How did you make those mountains, i just get something that looks ok from down low, but doesn't resemble mountains at all from overhead.

[grapplehoeker]

Originally posted by Hondacar1212:

Beautiful map, just quickly checked it out. How did you make those mountains, i just get something that looks ok from down low, but doesn't resemble mountains at all from overhead.

Thank you.
I used an accurate height map of the Santeetlah region, from Terrain Party and I was very careful with cleaning it up for use in game. I softened a little where necessary and tried to retain as much of the 'craggy' detail on the peaks as possible. In fact the only real work was on the waterways. There's a lot of rivers lol.
Once I got all of those flowing correctly it was just a case of planting trees and putting in the highways and rail. I had to remove a lot of the trees as I quickly reached the tree limit and so this is nowhere near as forested as I'd have wished it to be ;)

[PKMN Trainer Orange]

I tried terrain.party onthe Rockies, they didnt come out looking right, although that could just be those mountains.
When i uploaded the map the mountains looked all rounded, like if you just used the dispersing brush with the raise tool.

I look forward to using your map as a guide

[PKMN Trainer Orange]

Ok i got what i would call creeks, but they are really choppy, i am not sure why though. Like waves in the creek.
Any ideas?

[Z28Derick]

Have a look at this map. It's not mine but you might download it and load it up and see what he did.
https://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=670806933

[grapplehoeker]

Originally posted by Hondacar1212:

Ok i got what i would call creeks, but they are really choppy, i am not sure why though. Like waves in the creek.
Any ideas?

I know exactly what you mean.
You have to bear in mind that while the water dynamics in this game are wonderful, the viscosity of the water itself is more akin to treacle (molasses) than it is to H20. That means when it comes to steep gradients, it has the tendency to fall down them in clots, rather than a steady flow.
To overcome this, try to avoid steep inclines in the streambed, unless you're actually making a waterfall. Instead, break the downward descent with zig zags and switchbacks. Usage of low capacity water spawners in the bends can be, once again, very useful to regulate a consistent flow.
Also, look at the terrain itself. You should be able to see the natural water channels. Use them.
Avoid attempting to start the streams at the highest 'spring' source. Instead, look for the natural headspring at the top of the highest valleys where the confluence of streamlets will (invisibly) flow into, as your stream starting points.
Keep at it. It's a tricky thing to learn. God knows how many hours I tried to get a Honolulu map's rivers to function like water instead of a chunking sludge cannon lol.

[PKMN Trainer Orange]

I think I got it. I got a good map from terrain.party and am happy with it.
I got the streams working right for the most part, at least I'm happy with it.
What do you think?

http://steamcommunity.com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=755909183

Note: If you don't have Network Extensions then the highways won't show up.