City Generator -- Free Procedural City Generation

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore how to use City Generator, a free tool for creating procedural cities. This guide will walk you through the process of generating a city and then exporting it to create 3D levels in Blender. Whether you're a game developer or a hobbyist, this tutorial will provide you with the knowledge to efficiently generate city layouts for your projects.

Step 1: Download and Install City Generator

1. Visit the City Generator website.
2. Download the latest version of the software.
3. Install the application by following the installation prompts.

Step 2: Generate a City Layout

1. Open City Generator.
2. Select the desired parameters for your city:
   • City size: Choose the dimensions of your city.
   • Road styles: Select from various road types to shape your city layout.
   • Building density: Adjust how closely buildings are placed together.
3. Click on the "Generate" button to create your city layout.
4. Review the generated city and make adjustments if necessary:
   • Use the preview feature to visualize changes.
   • Regenerate if the output doesn't meet your expectations.

Step 3: Export the City Data

1. Once satisfied with the city layout, look for the export options.
2. Choose a suitable export format (e.g., JSON, CSV, etc.).
3. Save the exported file to your computer for use in Blender.

Step 4: Import the City Layout into Blender

1. Open Blender.
2. Go to File > Import and select the appropriate format you exported from City Generator.
3. Navigate to the saved file and import it into Blender.
4. Check the imported layout in Blender’s viewport.

Step 5: Create 3D Models of Buildings and Roads

1. Use Blender’s modeling tools to create 3D models for buildings and roads based on the imported layout.
2. Consider the following tips:
   • Use the grid snapping feature for precise placement.
   • Duplicate models for similar buildings to save time.
   • Apply textures and materials to enhance the visual appeal.

Step 6: Set Up the Scene

1. Position your camera and lights to highlight the city layout.
2. Adjust the render settings to ensure optimal output quality.
3. Use Blender’s rendering engine to create a preview of your scene.

Conclusion

You have now learned how to use City Generator to create a procedural city and import it into Blender for further development. By following these steps, you can efficiently generate urban environments for your projects. For future projects, consider experimenting with different parameters in City Generator to create diverse city designs. Happy creating!