Ymir

C
C tier on Game Map GeneratorsScore 6.9 · #5 of 27
Android app
Not listed
Free plan
Yes
Runs on
Linux, Windows
liminalfield.github.io
The Ymir homepage

Summary

Ymir is a free, node-based procedural terrain generator for Linux and Windows. Its graph connects generators, modifiers, selectors, masks and export nodes, with a single data type flowing along each connection. Available terrain operations include noise and shape generation, sculpting, filters, and thermal, hydraulic and stream erosion. Erosion nodes can take a mask as input and produce flow, wear and deposition layers for later shaping or texturing. Heightmaps can be exported 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 uses the GPU when available and otherwise runs on the CPU. Project files are readable JSON with a .ymir extension, and reusable node networks can be saved as .ymirsub subgraphs. The editor requires a working Vulkan-capable GPU on Linux, or Vulkan or DX12 drivers on Windows. Windows binaries are unsigned and trigger a first-run SmartScreen warning. Ymir is GPL-3.0 free software.

Who it is for

Ymir suits users who want to construct terrain generation workflows from connected nodes and export heightmaps. It may work for users comfortable with GPU driver requirements and unsigned Windows binaries.

What is good

  • Free software under GPL-3.0.
  • Supports multiple erosion node types.
  • Exports PNG, R16 and EXR heightmaps.
  • Saved projects use readable JSON.
  • CLI can build projects and export results.

What to know first

  • Editor requires working Vulkan, or Vulkan or DX12 drivers.
  • Windows binaries are unsigned and trigger SmartScreen.
  • Guided tutorial and how-to guides are still forthcoming.

Verdict

Ymir offers node-based terrain generation, erosion workflows and several heightmap export formats. Check the editor’s GPU requirements and Windows signing warning before choosing it.

Ymir plans and pricing

All plans
Ymir Free GPL-3.0 free software liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

Compared on game map generators

Free plan
Yesliminalfield.github.io
Generation method
proceduralliminalfield.github.io
Map dimension
bothliminalfield.github.io
Custom assets
Yesliminalfield.github.io
Seed control
Yesliminalfield.github.io
Engine export
Unreal Engineliminalfield.github.io
Export formats
PNG, R16, OpenEXRliminalfield.github.io

Facts

Purpose
Ymir is a node-based procedural terrain generator written in Rust.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Workflow
Its graph uses generators, modifiers, selectors, masks and export nodes, with one data type flowing along every edge.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Terrain features
The node reference includes noise and shape generators, terrain sculpting and filters, and thermal, hydraulic and stream erosion nodes.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Erosion
Erosion nodes can read a mask and write flow, wear and deposition layers for later texturing or shaping.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Exports
Ymir exports heightmaps as 16-bit grayscale PNG, raw 16-bit R16 or 32-bit float EXR.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Command line
The headless ymir-cli can build saved projects and export results; erosion uses the GPU when available and otherwise falls back to the CPU.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Project files
Projects use readable JSON in .ymir files, and reusable node networks can be saved as .ymirsub subgraphs.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Platforms
Ymir runs on x86_64 Linux with Wayland or X11 and Windows 10 or later.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
GPU requirement
The editor requires a GPU with working Vulkan drivers on Linux or Vulkan or DX12 drivers on Windows.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Windows signing
The distributed Windows binaries are unsigned and trigger a first-run SmartScreen warning.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Integrity
Linux releases include a SHA256SUMS file covering every release asset.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
License
Ymir is free software under the GPL-3.0.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Support
The maker directs users whose Linux builds fail on missing system libraries to open an issue with the error, distribution and Vulkan driver details.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026
Documentation status
The maker says a guided start-to-finish tutorial is coming and task-focused how-to guides will be added as workflows settle.liminalfield.github.io · 30 Sept 2026

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