Editing Terraform

All [[Unit classes#Constructor|construction units]], [[Commander]]s and [[Caretaker]]s can modify the terrain in Zero-K by paying [[Metal]] and [[Energy]]. Terraform has many shapes and applications but not all are needed all the time. This page is roughly sorted from the most common forms of terraform to the most complex.

<div style="float:right;"><youtube>//www.youtube.com/watch?v=9pSigOsGJeo</youtube></div>

[[File:Intro terraform.png]]

The quickest way to terraform is with a preset height command. These are hotkeys that raise/lower the terrain by some amount, or level it to a particular height. The default presets are as follows.

 

To select a preset ensure that you have a constructor selected and press the hotkey. The cursor should turn into a terraform icon. Release the hotkey then click and drag the mouse to draw a shape. A single click will create a spike or hole, while a dragged line creates a wall/trench. The selected constructors will then work on terraform in that shape, with height being determined by the preset.

Heights and hotkeys can be tweaked via Terraform Preset Hotkeys section of Hotkeys/Construction in the in-game menu ({{key press|F10}}).

The height of the structure is indicated by a green rectangle. Once the height is set, place the structure. A terraform command will be queued for selected constructors in front of the structure command.

The height you last set for each structure type is remembered by the interface, even between games. This system can also be used to place structures in areas that would otherwise be too steep. The hotkeys for height changing can be set in the Terraform Structure Placement section of Hotkeys/Construction in the in-game menu ({{key press|F10}}).

[[File:RampLevelRaise.png|thumb]]

[[File:ramp.png]]

[[File:level.png]]

[[File:SmoothRestore.png|thumb]]

[[File:raise.png]]

[[File:restore.png]]

[[File:smooth.png]]

[[File:Setheight terraform.jpg|thumb]]

* Hold {{Key press|Ctrl}} and move the mouse to select the height to be leveled to from terrain by mousing over the terrain.

== Drawing Shapes ==

[[File:Lasso terraform.jpg|thumb]]

[[File:level.png]] [[File:raise.png]] [[File:smooth.png]] [[File:restore.png]]

[[File:Ramp1.sized terraform.jpg|thumb]]

* Hold {{Key press|Alt}} instead of {{Key press|Ctrl}} for the first click to snap the height to just below water level, which is helpful for getting hovercraft out of the water.

File:Ramp green terraform.jpg|Green: Every land unit can use.

File:Ramp yellow terraform.jpg|Yellow: Too steep for vehicles.

File:Ramp red terraform.jpg|Red: Only spiders can climb.

Large terraform shapes are split up into segments which track cost and progress independently. The cost of a segment has three parts:

The costs are balanced to make a wide range of interesting terraform shapes balanced and cost effective. The perimeter cost keeps bulky areas reasonably priced compared to thin walls, and the height cap on thin walls allows short vehicle-blocking walls to be relatively expensive for the volume they move. The main cost of thin high spires or deep holes is the volume cost for all the buttressing.

Terraform takes 20× longer if you can see an enemy unit or structure near the terraform construction point. The area around the point is always large enough to cover the whole segment. This prevents most uses of terraform in close quarters combat (burying enemies etc), but still allows walls and holes to be dug for damage mitigation in long range exchanges. A tanky structure, such as a [[Razor]], can be placed on a wall to stop enemies tearing it down with constructors, although it will only block weapon-based deformation under its footprint.

[[Image:Tera block.png]]

= Tips =

[[File:Crabesmooth.sized terraform.jpg]]

[[File:Newtonramp.sized terraform.jpg]]