Heightmap Level Generator

Heightmap Level Generator is a procedural terrain and map-layout tool for creators working toward Unreal Engine, Unity or Godot. It suits developers who want configurable terrain, roads and towns alongside engine-ready exports, without a software charge. Its broad output options are compelling for a free tool, but access depends on WebGPU.

Overview

The generator brings terrain and supporting map features into one workflow: creators can shape a world, inspect it in 2D and 3D, and export the result for an engine or a custom placement pipeline. That combination is more useful than a heightmap-only workflow when roads, settlements and water need to fit the same layout. The trade-off is that it is a specialized generator, not a general-purpose terrain authoring suite.

Key features

Terrain and map generation

WebGPU compute shaders generate 16-bit heightmaps with cliffs, hills, mountains, erosion, rivers, lakes and a raised border ring. Connected roads, towns, map exits, road grades and embankments around water extend the output into a playable-world layout. Four biomes—temperate, steppe, desert and snow—cover several common starting points, though the set is limited to those options.

Iteration and export

Live setting changes, comparison of 12 seeds, 2D and 3D previews, and first-person walkthroughs give creators several ways to assess a terrain before committing to an export. Built-in presets, URL sharing, JSON save and load, and undo and redo support iteration and handoff. Exports target Unreal landscape, Unity terrain, Godot Terrain3D, and web or three.js; files can include heightmaps, splatmaps, masks, water levels, color maps, layout data, glTF meshes and metadata. Road, town and water masks plus layout JSON are intended for PCG, Houdini and custom placement scripts, making the tool useful beyond a single-engine workflow.

The project is MIT licensed, and exported assets can be modified and shipped commercially without conditions. That gives commercial creators room to use generated assets in shipped work, while still requiring a WebGPU-capable browser for the online version. Local use is possible with Node.js and a WebGPU-capable browser; the Windows start.bat script runs setup.

Pricing

The Free plan costs nothing and requires no install or account. It includes the generator's procedural terrain workflow, seed control, custom assets and exports for Unreal Engine, Unity, Godot Terrain3D and three.js, with formats including 16-bit PNG, RAW .r16, RGBA PNG, JSON and glTF .glb. There is no paid tier or usage cap described, so it is a strong fit for individual creators and teams evaluating a terrain pipeline without a software budget.

Platforms

Heightmap Level Generator is available on the web and for self-hosted use, with Windows support. The online version needs WebGPU, such as a current desktop Chrome or Edge browser. The local route also requires a WebGPU-capable browser, and Windows users can start setup with the supplied batch script. It is not a good fit for systems that cannot provide WebGPU.

Who it's for

This is a practical choice for indie developers, level designers and technical artists who need procedural terrain plus roads, towns and water, especially when their next step is Unreal, Unity, Godot or a custom placement pipeline. First-person viewing and multiple previews help judge layouts before export. Creators who need a broader biome range or cannot use WebGPU should consider another tool.

Pros and cons

• Pros: Free access with no account or install requirement lowers the barrier to trying the workflow.
• Pros: Terrain, roads, towns, water and multiple engine exports can support a complete starting layout rather than an isolated heightmap.
• Pros: MIT licensing and unrestricted commercial use of exported assets suit commercial projects.
• Cons: WebGPU is required online and locally, excluding incompatible browsers and setups.
• Cons: The four available biomes constrain creators seeking a wider set of named starting environments.

Alternatives

Game Map Generators is the broader category directory for comparing map-making tools.

• World Machine is worth considering for Windows, macOS or Linux workflows; its Basic plan caps output at 1025×1025 pixels, while Indie costs $119 a month.
• Gaea offers a Windows alternative with a Community Edition limited to non-commercial single builds at 1,024 × 1,024 resolution; its Indie plan costs $99 a month.
• 3D Dungeon Generator is the more relevant pick for dungeon layouts, with free GLB export and custom dimensions up to 60×60.
• MapMagic 2 is a free macOS and Windows option for map generators, with a separate 45.00 USD once purchase for Biomes and Functions that requires the core installation.
• Ymir is another free option for Linux and Windows, released as GPL-3.0 free software.
• World Creator is a paid Windows alternative, with yearly plans starting at $59 a year for users under its stated revenue or funding threshold.
• Dungeon Generator for Unreal Engine 5 is a freemium alternative.
• TerraWorld 2023 is a paid alternative with a 99.00 USD once plan.

Verdict

Choose Heightmap Level Generator if you need free procedural terrain with roads, towns and export paths into Unreal, Unity, Godot or a custom pipeline. Its combination of interactive previews, varied map outputs and commercial-use freedom is the strongest reason to start here. Look elsewhere if WebGPU is unavailable on your setup or four biome choices are too limiting.