Terrain Leveling and Construction Techniques
Tags: construction, terrain, building, tools
Voxel Terrain System
7 Days to Die uses a voxel-based terrain system where every block can be modified. This allows for precise terrain shaping and construction.
Basic Leveling Tools
- Shovel: Primary tool for digging dirt, sand, and clay. Right-click to place removed blocks elsewhere.
- Auger: Power tool that rapidly removes terrain blocks. The "digging" mod increases its efficiency.
- Pickaxe: For breaking stone and ore veins; can also be used on terrain but less efficiently.
Construction Methods
Frame-Based Leveling
Wooden frames can be placed to fill uneven terrain:
- Place wooden frame shapes in the gap
- Upgrade frames to full blocks (wood → cobblestone → concrete → steel)
- The upgraded blocks will conform to adjacent terrain
Terrain Painting
In Creative Mode (dm menu), players can use terrain brushes:
- Raise/Lower: Adjust terrain height with adjustable brush size
- Paint: Apply different terrain types (grass, dirt, sand)
- Smooth: Blend adjacent terrain blocks for natural transitions
Advanced Techniques
- Underground bases: Dig straight down 3×3 blocks, then create horizontal tunnels
- Moats and trenches: Use augers to create defensive perimeters
- Ramps and stairs: Create gradual inclines for vehicle access
- Foundation leveling: Place frames at the lowest point, then build upward for even foundations
Common Issues and Solutions
- Floating blocks: Remove supporting blocks first to prevent physics glitches
- Terrain regrowth: Ensure proper lighting to prevent grass/plant regrowth indoors
- Performance: Large terrain edits may cause temporary lag; save frequently