View source for Terrain Type

[[File:Api_current_situation_geography.png|thumb|right|400px|[[Terrain Type]]s in relation to [[Terrain]]s and [[Terrain Type Override]]s.]]
Terrain types are definitions of how the ground behaves. Oftentimes, the (sub)soil consists of a mixture of various types of material. Each individual material can be considered a type of terrain, the combination of materials can be considered a type of terrain as well.

Terrain Types in the {{software}} are abstract definitions of either a surface or ground composition of the [[Terrain]]. In other words, every Terrain Type belongs either to the {{inlink|surface}} [[layer]] or the {{inlink|underground}} [[layer]]. Each Terrain Type has a series of [[Attribute]]s defining its exact properties and behavior, both for functionalities such as the generation of the default [[elevation model]], as well as for calculation models ranging from the Average Overlay to the Water Overlay.

Terrain types do not contains spatial information. Instead they form an integral part of [[Terrain]]s, which themselves do contain spatial information. Every [[Terrain]] item links to one [[Terrain Type]], which in turn determines in what [[layer]] the Terrain is situated.

===Surface===
Surface Terrain Types represent the soil as as it lies on the very top of the [[Terrain]]. It is often a single layer such as [[Grassland (Terrain Type)|Grassland]], [[Concrete (Terrain Type)|Concrete]], or a [[Waterway]]. In most cases, the surface Terrain Type also affects the visualization of the height-map in the [[3D Visualization]]. [[Water (Terrain Attribute)|Water]] is most obvious, as water will be drawn on top of the existing [[Terrain]]. However, all Terrain Types have a set texture which will be shown in any location where the [[Terrain]] is changed for a different Terrain Type. (Otherwise the default [[satellite map]] will be visible.)

The following Terrain Types exist for the surface:

{{Terrain types|suppresscategory=true|
{{:Breakwater (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Concrete (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Dunes (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Grassland (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Open land (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Levee (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Sand (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Sea (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Waterbody (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Waterway (Terrain Type)}}
}}

===Underground===
Underground Terrain Types represent the subsoil; everything beneath the surface. The underground Terrain Type is still considered present as much as the surface Terrain Type in the same location, but is not displayed directly in the 3D Visualization. The layout of the underground can be seen using the [[Underground Overlay]].

The following Terrain Types exist for the surface:

{{Terrain types|suppresscategory=true|
{{:Gravel (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Clay (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Chalk (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Loam (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Loess (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Unknown (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Silt (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Peat (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Sand (subsurface) (Terrain Type)}}
{{:Marine clay (Terrain Type)}}
}}

Each underground Terrain Type contains the following attributes:

==Attributes==
Each surface and ground Terrain Type may contain or inherit the following attributes:
{{:Terrain Attributes}}

{{article end
|seealso=
* [[Terrain]]
* [[Elevation model]]
|howtos=
* [[How to manually change the Terrain]]
}}
{{Editor current situation nav}}
[[Category:Items]][[Category:Terrain]]