Introduction to Terraforming
Terraforming is one of the most powerful features in Animal Crossing: New Horizons. Unlocked after achieving a 3-star island rating, the Island Designer app lets you reshape your island's terrain completely. Here's everything you need to know to master this essential skill.
Understanding the Basics
What You Can Modify
With the Island Designer app, you can:
- Water Scaping: Create or remove rivers, ponds, and waterfalls
- Cliff Construction: Build or demolish cliffs
- Path Laying: Add various path types
What You Cannot Change
Some things are permanent:
- Resident Services location
- Airport location
- Beach rock and pier positions
- Secret beach location
River Design Tips
Creating Natural-Looking Rivers
- Avoid straight lines - Real rivers curve and meander
- Vary the width - Rivers naturally narrow and widen
- Add small ponds - Connected pools look more natural
- Create islands - Small river islands add interest
Waterfall Techniques
- Waterfalls require at least one cliff level
- You can create multi-tier waterfalls
- Corner waterfalls create stunning effects
- Wide waterfalls (3 tiles) are most impressive
Cliff Building Strategies
Planning Your Elevations
Before you start building cliffs:
- Decide on 1, 2, or 3 level areas
- Plan staircase and incline locations
- Consider viewpoints from different angles
- Think about how you'll navigate between levels
Common Cliff Designs
- Plateau - Large flat elevated area
- Terraced - Multiple stepping levels
- Natural - Irregular shapes mimicking nature
- Fortress - Square/rectangular enclosed areas
Path Planning
Available Path Types
The Island Designer offers:
- Grass
- Dirt
- Stone
- Brick
- Sand
- Dark Dirt
- Arched Tile
- Wooden
- Terra-cotta
Path Design Tips
- Mix path types for visual interest
- Use borders to define areas
- Create transitions between zones
- Leave some grass for natural feel
Space Management
Maximizing Your Island
Your island has limited space, so:
- Plan before you build
- Use vertical space (cliffs)
- Create multi-purpose areas
- Don't forget about beaches
Common Space Mistakes
- Making cliffs too large
- Rivers that are too wide
- Not leaving room for buildings
- Blocking pathways
Using Happy Island Designer
Before terraforming in-game, use Happy Island Designer to:
- Plan your river layout without wasting time
- Test cliff configurations risk-free
- Visualize the final result before starting
- Save multiple versions to compare
This saves countless hours of in-game trial and error!
Advanced Techniques
Diagonal Cliffs
- Create natural-looking edges
- Soften harsh corners
- Add visual variety
Hidden Areas
- Create secret gardens behind cliffs
- Build cozy alcoves
- Design surprise viewpoints
Layered Waterfalls
- Combine multiple tiers
- Create dramatic focal points
- Add ambient sound
Conclusion
Terraforming transforms your island from basic to extraordinary. Take your time planning with Happy Island Designer, and don't be afraid to experiment. The undo feature in-game means you can always try again. Happy terraforming!