EarthSculptor

EarthSculptor, currently at version 1.11, is an outstanding tool in the Photo & Graphics category, specifically tailored for 3D Design. Developed by Ernest Szoka, this software offers a seamless experience with a wide range of features for creating and editing 3D landscapes. The program file size is a compact 10.5 MB, and it supports a variety of operating systems, including Windows XP, Vista, 7, 8, 10, 11.

One of the key attractions of EarthSculptor is its real-time terrain height-map editing capability paired with a high-resolution 3D engine that ensures smooth and beautifully rendered scenes. Users can navigate seamlessly using both keyboard and mouse to model terrains with precision. The tools provided allow you to Terraform and paint with 2D brushes, with up to eight terrain tools such as raise, lower, level, grab, smooth, erode, push, and ramp, adding immense flexibility and control to the design process.

The software comes as Shareware, meaning users can enjoy a trial before deciding on a purchase. For those interested, earlier versions like 1.1, and 1.0, also known as EarthSculptor Beta, are available, offering insight into the software's evolution. Its primary executable is named EarthSculptor.exe.

EarthSculptor's high-end features, such as real-time reflecting water, automatic lighting and shadow map rendering, and advanced .OBJ exporter that optimizes meshes, make it particularly useful for professionals in visualization, multimedia, and game development. Additionally, it allows outputs as 16-bit PNG textures, bypassing proprietary formats which adds to its versatility.

Despite its powerful features, newcomers might find the initial learning curve steep, especially when it comes to coloring and applying textures to created forms. However, the interface is user-friendly and designed for rapid development. Once you get the hang of it, creating anything from a garden design to an imaginary resort becomes incredibly fascinating.

For those looking to experiment with 3D design, EarthSculptor is available for free download, providing an excellent opportunity to explore its capabilities without initial investment.

Pros:

• Fast 3D hardware accelerated terrain rendering
• High-resolution texture maps and multiple terrain tools
• Map sizes up to 4097x4097 and texture sizes up to 4096x4096
• Real-time reflecting water and seamless navigation
• Advanced .OBJ exporter and multiple undo/redo editing

Cons:

• May have a steep learning curve for newcomers
• Limited to Windows OS only

You may want to check out more software, such as Caddie, Silo or Ez-Architect, which might be similar to EarthSculptor.