# Mask Layers

## Overview

Mask Layers enable you to mask out specific sections of your terrain by painting directly in World Creator or importing a bitmap from an external source. Mask Layers are compatible with the distribution system and can thus be referenced by filters and materials. 

## Video Guide

{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/1029691310>" %}
World Creator Guide
{% endembed %}

## Results

<div><figure><img src="https://2837684122-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FM6zsxw2jbMYEZbKqEwpa%2Fuploads%2F4zAZXzwvfjyg2QN9AT9u%2Fwalkthrough_masks_03.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=513929c7-b957-4773-bd5b-0b205788c112" alt=""><figcaption><p>Creating a mask</p></figcaption></figure> <figure><img src="https://2837684122-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FM6zsxw2jbMYEZbKqEwpa%2Fuploads%2F0HYvvcMmwLqLknoZI9W0%2Fwalkthrough_masks_05.webp?alt=media&#x26;token=2e35221f-6da9-4b1b-a957-1e722000ca11" alt=""><figcaption><p>Masking materials and filters</p></figcaption></figure></div>

## Layer Parameters

### Mask Layer Settings

| ![](https://2837684122-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FM6zsxw2jbMYEZbKqEwpa%2Fuploads%2FC0SGwEwhI71J98Ombn4Z%2Freference_masklayers_01.webp?alt=media\&token=d0831440-5af4-46ca-9f8b-d06b9827c230) | <ul><li><strong>Show Mask</strong> <br>Shows the mask on the terrain.</li><li><strong>Import/Export</strong> <br>Allows you to import or export the mask.</li><li><strong>Edit</strong> <br>Allows you to edit the mask using brushes.</li></ul> |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |

### Area Settings

The Area Settings allow you to freely position Mask Layers on your terrain and offer simple controls to blend them into your terrain.

| ![](https://2837684122-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FM6zsxw2jbMYEZbKqEwpa%2Fuploads%2FwICbEjd9Ic6RRA6HFeGW%2Freference_shapelayers_information_03.webp?alt=media\&token=574b2b9b-1ac6-4222-8815-05cf481415b7) | <ul><li><strong>X/Y</strong><br>The position of the area on the terrain.</li><li><strong>Area Scale</strong><br>The size of the area.</li><li><strong>Rotation</strong><br>The rotation of the area</li><li><strong>Fit to Terrain</strong><br>Matches the area to the terrains full size.</li><li><strong>Blending</strong><br>Controls the opacity of the whole shape layer.</li><li><strong>Blend Size</strong><br>Adds a fade in to the area.</li><li><strong>Blend Roundness</strong><br>Rounds the corners of the face.</li></ul> |
| --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |

## Editing Parameters

These parameters are only available when the mask is in **Edit** mode.

### Brush Tools <a href="#brush-tools" id="brush-tools"></a>

Simple paint tools to modify the mask. Choose your preferred tool by clicking on it, and then draw with your mouse (press the left mouse button on the terrain). The following functions are available:

| <ul><li><strong>Paint</strong><br>Adds to the mask.</li></ul>                   | <ul><li><strong>Erase</strong><br>Removes from the mask.</li></ul> |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| <ul><li><strong>Smooth</strong><br>Averages the mask under the brush.</li></ul> |                                                                    |

### Actions

The operations are utilized to rapidly implement precise modifications. Please refer to the list below to understand the function of each operation.

| <ul><li><strong>Flip X</strong><br>Flips the mask along the X axis.</li></ul> | <ul><li><strong>Flip Y</strong><br>Flips the mask along the Y axis.</li></ul> |
| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| <ul><li><strong>Rot Left</strong><br>Rotates the mask by 90°.</li></ul>       | <ul><li><strong>Rot Right</strong><br>Rotates the terrain by 90°.</li></ul>   |
| <ul><li><strong>Clear</strong><br>Sets the whole mask to 0.</li></ul>         | <ul><li><strong>Fill</strong><br>Sets the whole mask to 1.</li></ul>          |

### Brush Settings

<table><thead><tr><th width="199.800048828125">Properties</th><th>Description</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Brush</strong> </td><td>Allows you to specify several preinstalled brushes as well as import your own custom brushes.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Falloff Mode</strong></td><td>Offers different brush falloff modes.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Brush Radius</strong></td><td>The radius of the brush.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Brush Smooth</strong></td><td>The size of the brush smoothing.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Brush Strength</strong></td><td>Controls the strength of the current selected brush.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Rotation</strong></td><td>Rotates the brush pattern.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Random Rotation</strong></td><td>Adds random rotation to the brush pattern.</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Align to Draw Direction</strong></td><td>Orients the brush pattern to the drawing direction.</td></tr></tbody></table>