What it does
Gaea creates terrain for environment artists using connected nodes for shapes, adjustments and natural processes. It exports landscape data for other 3D applications and game engines. The Windows-only Community Edition is free for non-commercial work, while paid editions raise output limits and add production tools.
A basic terrain can start with a Mountain node, pass through Adjust to change its shape, then enter Erosion_2 for gullies and deposited slopes. Adjust's Shaper control changes the mountain's bulk. The connected graph keeps these operations separate so the terrain can be revised upstream.
To prepare output, right-click a node and choose Mark for Export, or press F3. The Build tab lets you select output ports, change the format and name files. Dedicated Mesher output adds control over topology and vertex count; exported ports can include flow, wear and deposits as well as the main terrain.
Edition limits
| Edition | Maximum single terrain build |
|---|---|
| Community | 1,024 × 1,024 |
| Indie | 8,192 × 8,192 |
| Professional | 16,384 × 16,384 |
| Enterprise | 16,384 × 16,384 |
Paid editions are one-time purchases with revenue and licence conditions; Indie is for annual gross revenue or capital below US$100,000. Professional and Enterprise add larger tiled-world builds.
Ordinary licences need an internet refresh at least every 28 days. Optional Enterprise offline licensing is separate. Community and educational licences do not permit commercial use.
Strengths
- Export selection can include erosion maps such as flow, wear and deposits.
- Professional and Enterprise can build large worlds as coordinated tiles.
Watch out for
- Gaea currently requires native Windows.
- Ordinary licences require an internet refresh every 28 days.
Best for
- Environment artists shaping eroded landscapes
- Game teams preparing terrain and surface maps
Sources
- Gaea | QuadSpinner (Oct 28, 2026)
- Gaea Editions and Ordering (Oct 28, 2026)
- Starter Guide: Your First Terrain | Gaea (Oct 28, 2026)
- Exporting Nodes | Gaea (Oct 28, 2026)
- Gaea Frequently Asked Questions (Oct 28, 2026)