Other ways to use noise

Note: This tool is only available in the Terrain Tools package.

Alongside the Noise height sculpting tool, you can use the noise mask with other brush-based tools, as a source for 2D textures and 3D assets, and as a shareable settings asset.

Use a noise mask on brush-based tools

You can add noise as a mask to any height or texture brush to add variety without creating multiple brushes. The mask uses the same Noise Editor window that the Noise height sculpting tool uses, so it has the same options. For more information, refer to Noise reference and to Brushes.

Export noise output as 2D or 3D textures

You can also export a noise output as a texture to use as:

• A brush for any other brush-based tool from a 2D .png. For information about brush-based workflows and masks, refer to Brushes.
• A heightmapA greyscale Texture that stores height data for an object. Each pixel stores the height difference perpendicular to the face that pixel represents.
  See in Glossary for new TerrainThe landscape in your scene. A Terrain GameObject adds a large flat plane to your scene and you can use the Terrain’s Inspector window to create a detailed landscape. More info
  See in Glossary tiles from a 2D .png.
• A 3D texture that you can use elsewhere in the Editor, for example to create a shaderA program that runs on the GPU. More info
  See in Glossary.

To export the noise output, use the Noise Editor window from either:

• Window > Terrain Tools > Noise Editor.
• Brush Mask > Noise mask > Edit.
• A Terrain tile’s Inspector window > Paint Terrain tool > tool dropdown > Sculpt > Noise. can export from the Noise Editor window for a Noise mask, or from the Noise height sculpting tool.

Export options

Reuse and share noise settings

The Unity Editor always saves noise settings to a settings asset file. You can create multiple setting files to reuse or share.

You can:

• Save your noise settings to the current noise settings asset.
• Revert changes you’ve made to the noise settings.
• Save your noise settings to a new noise settings asset.

To create an asset of noise definitions, use the Noise Editor window from either:

• Window > Terrain Tools > Noise Editor.
• Brush Mask > Noise mask > Edit.
• A Terrain tile’s Inspector window > Paint Terrain tool > tool dropdown > Sculpt > Noise.

To go back to the default definition asset:

1. In the Noise Settings Assets field, select the prefabAn asset type that allows you to store a GameObject complete with components and properties. The prefab acts as a template from which you can create new object instances in the scene. More info
   See in Glossary picker (circle).
2. In the Select Noise Settings window, select None.

Additional resources

• Noise reference
• Sculpt height with the Noise tool
• Noise and fractal types