How to align an area to the planet curve?

[itchyfart123]

Currently trying to create a large flat area for my base, but I also don't want to have it platform off into the sky. My plan was to use the alignment tool to have it be "flat" but also aligned to the planet. It turns out the alignment tool is broken, though, so that didn't work. Is there a functional way to do this, or am I just out of luck?

[Mystra4]

I was coming to the forums to ask about this very thing. The alignment seems to be -perpendicular- instead of flat.

Though I wonder if... Hmmm...
Nope, I thought it mattered if you put the mod on the side instead of the top.

[Shurenai]

Alignment mod isn't exactly 'broken'; It's just a bit more finicky than you might expect. Don't just click and then walk around flattening your entire base, As the further away you get the more off-kilter you'll get from planetary alignment.

When using the alignment mod, the height of the terrain will be determined by the first triangle you click on when starting. From there, it's best to work outward in small circles; Flatten a small area, then let go of the mouse button, then click on a triangle near the edge of the newly flattened area; rinse and repeat.

If you hold down the button for a very long time or walk long distances while flattening, you end up with a skewed surface.


Oh.. Also the horizontal/vertical angle of the terrain tool when the alignment mod is installed is determined on camera angle vs aim location. If you're having trouble getting the thing to be parallel to the ground, angle your camera upward. And make sure the alignment mod is installed in your gun properly too. :P

[Scrappy]

Use alignment initially to get a level patch. Then remove that mod and use control key flatten mode. IMO works better.

[Shurenai]

Originally posted by Imperial Crown:

Use alignment initially to get a level patch. Then remove that mod and use control key flatten mode. IMO works better.

That results in a flat area, sure; But it doesn't align that flat area to the curve of the planet, which is what OP wants. He doesn't want a big flat area that juts up from the surface at the edges, he wants a smooth flat curve.

[Scrappy]

Originally posted by Shurenai:

Originally posted by Imperial Crown:

Use alignment initially to get a level patch. Then remove that mod and use control key flatten mode. IMO works better.

That results in a flat area, sure; But it doesn't align that flat area to the curve of the planet, which is what OP wants. He doesn't want a big flat area that juts up from the surface at the edges, he wants a smooth flat curve.

I advise living with apparent rise at edges. Simpler geometry easier to manage.

[Targa]

The alignment tool, when installed on the excavation tool and enabled (green light around the base of the alignment tool), will always remain perpendicular to the planet's core. In normal excavation, this means you will drill a hole straight down. When used with the "flatten" modifier key (Shift on PC), it will create a "curving flat surface" that is perpendicular to the planet's core, with the selected "starting polygon" as its reference point.

Be aware that when you start a new game, the flat area created around the Habitat and Landing Pad is slightly raised in reference to the surrounding terrain. Thus, if you use that "flat area" as your starting reference point, it will create a ridge when your tool reaches lower ground. Also, because of variations in terrain height throughout the area, it may be difficult to create a decent-looking flat area for your base.

From my observations, the tool is working as intended.

[itchyfart123]

Originally posted by Targa:

The alignment tool, when installed on the excavation tool and enabled (green light around the base of the alignment tool), will always remain perpendicular to the planet's core. In normal excavation, this means you will drill a hole straight down. When used with the "flatten" modifier key (Shift on PC), it will create a "curving flat surface" that is perpendicular to the planet's core, with the selected "starting polygon" as its reference point.

Be aware that when you start a new game, the flat area created around the Habitat and Landing Pad is slightly raised in reference to the surrounding terrain. Thus, if you use that "flat area" as your starting reference point, it will create a ridge when your tool reaches lower ground. Also, because of variations in terrain height throughout the area, it may be difficult to create a decent-looking flat area for your base.

From my observations, the tool is working as intended.

The issue is that it doesn't remain perpendicular to the core, only the perpendicular to the gravity of the starting point of the flattening process. So the "curve" ends up being completely flat, which is seriously noticeable when flattening large areas.

[Ildryn]

Something I do when restarting a new game is I keep starting a new game until it places me in a lower area than the ground around me. Then I flatten the area according to the center of the shelter until I reach where the land and my shelter sync.

I really dislike doing that as it takes a while to start a new game, but in the end it is more aesthetically pleasing to me.