> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://maps4fs.gitbook.io/docs/advanced-topics/water_planes.md).

# Water Planes

Maps4FS now automatically generates ready-to-use i3d water plane files for **Farming Simulator 25**, eliminating the need for manual Blender workflows!

## 🎯 Quick Overview

When you generate a map with the following settings enabled:

* **Generate Water** ✅

Maps4FS will automatically create optimized i3d files that can be directly imported into Giants Editor.

## 📁 Generated Files

After generation, you'll find the following files in your map's `assets/water/` directory:

```
map_directory/
├── assets/
│   └── water/
│       └── polygon_water.i3d  ← Ready to import!
└── water/
    ├── polygon_water.obj
    └── polyline_water.obj  (if applicable)
```

## 🚀 How to Use

> **Windows App users:** If you are using the Windows App and the i3dConverter is available (it is downloaded automatically on first run), the conversion to binary i3d, ocean shader setup, collision/physics properties, normal map assignment, and in-map positioning are all done **automatically**. You can skip the Giants Editor configuration steps below.

### Step 1: Generate Your Map

1. Enable **Generate Water** in the Background Settings
2. Generate your map normally

### Step 2: Import into Giants Editor

1. Open your map in **Giants Editor 10.0.0+**
2. Go to `File` → `Import...`
3. Navigate to `your_map/assets/water/`
4. Select `polygon_water.i3d`
5. Click `Import`

If the water plane appears black initially - this is normal and expected behavior.

### Step 3: Configure Water Properties in Giants Editor

After importing, you need to configure the water properties to make it display correctly:

#### Position the Water Plane

Position the water plane in the correct location within your map.

![Position the water plane](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/c7257060-bd83-498f-a5dc-098e675540df)

#### Configure Material Properties

1. Open the **Material Editing** window and select your water plane
2. Change the **Variation** to **simple** if not already set
3. Edit the values as shown in the screenshot (these are default values, but you can adjust them):

![Water plane values](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/6624878c-818d-4371-bbf9-8bb6ace6589f)

4. Set **Smoothness** and **Metalness** to **1**

#### Set Normal Map

1. Click on the button near the **Normal map**

![Normal map](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/95adc493-983a-46ae-bd20-7d1f4e998ba7)

2. Click the **...** button and provide the path to the **water\_normal.dds** file Location: `where-the-game-is-installed/data/maps/textures/shared/water_normal.dds`

![Water normal map](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/515de60b-bc1a-4843-b548-2820107435af)

3. You should see the normal map in the window. Press the **OK** button

![Normal map window](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/bee7955f-7f6c-4d94-978c-0ab7835b9e2b)

#### Configure User Attributes and Physics

1. Switch to the **UserAttributes** tab
2. Enter the name `onCreate`, select `Script callback`, and click **Add**
3. Set the **Attribute** value to `Environment.onCreateWater`
4. On the **Attributes** → **Transform** tab, check the `Rigid body` checkbox
5. Switch to the **Rigid body** tab and set the `Preset` to `WATER`
6. Go to the **Shape** tab and uncheck the `Cast shadowmap` checkbox (if it's checked)

The final result should look like this:

![Water plane in GE](https://github.com/user-attachments/assets/b246cf85-b044-4ceb-bff4-9b32a753b143)

## ⚙️ Settings Control

You can control the automated generation through these settings:

### Background Settings

* **Generate Water**: Enable/disable water plane generation
* **Water Blurriness**: Controls shoreline transition smoothing (higher = softer/wider transitions)
* **Flatten Water**: Smooths/stabilizes water bottoms while preserving overall elevation trends (recommended)

### DEM Settings

* **Water Depth**: Controls how deep water channels/lakes are carved
* **Water Bank Steepness** (`1`-`5`): Controls shoreline profile shape (`1` smoother, `5` steeper)

## 🎮 Game Compatibility

| Game Version             | Status                | Method         |
| ------------------------ | --------------------- | -------------- |
| **Farming Simulator 25** | ✅ **Fully Automated** | Use this guide |

## 📊 Performance Benefits

The automated process includes several optimizations:

* **Smart Mesh Generation**: Optimized polygon count for water surfaces
* **Ocean Shader Ready**: Pre-configured with proper ocean shader materials
* **Memory Efficient**: Optimized for minimal in-game impact
* **Multiple Sources**: Supports polygon and polyline-derived water geometry

## 🔧 Troubleshooting

### No polygon\_water.i3d file generated?

* Ensure **Generate Water** is enabled
* Check that your map has water areas defined in OSM data

### Import fails in Giants Editor?

* Use Giants Editor 10.0.0+ for maps
* Make sure the i3d file isn't corrupted
* Try importing the .obj files manually (see legacy docs)

### Water appears black after import?

* This is normal! Follow the Giants Editor configuration steps above
* Set the proper normal map and material properties

### Water level too high/low?

* Adjust water position in Giants Editor
* Adjust **Water Depth** and **Water Bank Steepness** in generation settings for terrain carving shape

## 💡 Tips

* **Multiple Water Bodies**: The automated process handles multiple separate water areas
* **Custom Shapes**: Water follows the actual shape from your map data
* **Quality Settings**: Tune **Water Blurriness** + **Water Bank Steepness** together for best shoreline profile
* **Performance**: Generated water planes are optimized for in-game performance

## 🔄 Upgrading from Manual Process

If you've been using the manual Blender workflow:

1. **Update your workflow**: Simply enable **Generate Water** setting
2. **No more Blender needed**: The i3d files are ready to import
3. **Same quality**: The automated process produces equivalent results
4. **Legacy docs available**: Manual process docs moved to [Legacy section](/docs/advanced-topics/legacy/legacy_water_planes.md) for reference

***