Ymir

What Ymir is

Ymir is a free, node-based procedural terrain generator for Linux and Windows. Its graph combines generators, modifiers, selectors, masks and export nodes, with a single data type passed along each connection. Available operations include noise and shape generation, terrain sculpting and filters, plus thermal, hydraulic and stream erosion. Erosion nodes can take a mask and produce flow, wear and deposition layers for later shaping or texturing. Heightmaps export as 16-bit grayscale PNG, raw 16-bit R16 or 32-bit float EXR. The headless ymir-cli can build saved projects and export results; erosion runs on the GPU when available and otherwise falls back to the CPU. Projects are readable JSON files with a .ymir extension, and reusable node networks can be saved as .ymirsub subgraphs. The editor requires a GPU with working Vulkan drivers on Linux, or Vulkan or DX12 drivers on Windows. Windows binaries are unsigned and prompt a first-run SmartScreen warning. Ymir is GPL-3.0 free software; the maker says a guided start-to-finish tutorial and task-focused guides are planned as workflows settle.

Who it suits

Ymir may suit terrain artists and technical users who want a node-based workflow and exportable heightmaps. Its command-line tool and project format may also fit users who want to build or reuse saved terrain graphs.

Limits

Ymir is listed as free software at no cost, with no free-trial period. The editor requires the stated graphics drivers; the maker says a guided start-to-finish tutorial is still coming.

Getting started

1. Open the Ymir website.
2. Choose the Linux or Windows release for your system.
3. Make sure the required Vulkan or DX12 drivers are available for the editor.
4. Create a project and save it as a .ymir file.
5. Build and export the saved project with ymir-cli.

Verdict

Ymir brings procedural terrain generation, erosion tools and command-line exports into a node-based workflow. Check the GPU requirements and Windows warning before installing, and note that the maker describes more tutorial material as forthcoming.