Ymir
What it is
Ymir is a free, node-based procedural terrain generator for Linux and Windows. Its graph combines generators, modifiers, selectors, masks, and export nodes, with one data type passing along each connection. Available operations include noise and shape generation, terrain sculpting, filters, and thermal, hydraulic, and stream erosion. Erosion nodes can use a mask and produce flow, wear, and deposition layers for later texturing or shaping. Heightmaps can be exported as 16-bit grayscale PNG, raw 16-bit R16, or 32-bit float EXR. The headless ymir-cli can build saved projects and export results; erosion runs on the GPU when available and otherwise falls back to the CPU. Projects are readable JSON files with a .ymir extension, and reusable node networks can be saved as .ymirsub subgraphs. The editor needs a GPU with working Vulkan drivers on Linux, or Vulkan or DX12 drivers on Windows. Windows releases are unsigned and trigger a first-run SmartScreen warning. Ymir is GPL-3.0 free software; the maker says a guided tutorial and task-focused how-to guides are still to come.
For and against
For
- Graph includes generators, masks, modifiers, and export nodes.
- Includes thermal, hydraulic, and stream erosion.
- Exports PNG, R16, and EXR heightmaps.
- Projects and reusable subgraphs use readable files.
- CLI can build projects and export results.
Against
- Editor requires Vulkan-capable drivers or DX12 on Windows.
- Windows binaries are unsigned and trigger a SmartScreen warning.
- Guided tutorial and task-focused how-to guides are not yet available.
The verdict
Ymir provides a procedural graph workflow with erosion tools and several heightmap export formats. Check the GPU driver requirements before installing, and expect a SmartScreen warning for the unsigned Windows binaries.
Who it suits
Ymir suits Linux and Windows users who want to generate terrain through a node-based procedural workflow. Its command-line tool is useful for building saved projects and exporting results without using the editor.
Plans and prices
Ymir
GPL-3.0 free software
Read 30 Sep 2026 · liminalfield.github.io
On the record
- Command line
- The headless ymir-cli can build saved projects and export results; erosion uses the GPU when available and otherwise falls back to the CPU.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Documentation status
- The maker says a guided start-to-finish tutorial is coming and task-focused how-to guides will be added as workflows settle.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Erosion
- Erosion nodes can read a mask and write flow, wear and deposition layers for later texturing or shaping.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Exports
- Ymir exports heightmaps as 16-bit grayscale PNG, raw 16-bit R16 or 32-bit float EXR.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- GPU requirement
- The editor requires a GPU with working Vulkan drivers on Linux or Vulkan or DX12 drivers on Windows.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Integrity
- Linux releases include a SHA256SUMS file covering every release asset.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- License
- Ymir is free software under the GPL-3.0.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Project files
- Projects use readable JSON in .ymir files, and reusable node networks can be saved as .ymirsub subgraphs.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Purpose
- Ymir is a node-based procedural terrain generator written in Rust.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Support
- The maker directs users whose Linux builds fail on missing system libraries to open an issue with the error, distribution and Vulkan driver details.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Terrain features
- The node reference includes noise and shape generators, terrain sculpting and filters, and thermal, hydraulic and stream erosion nodes.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Windows signing
- The distributed Windows binaries are unsigned and trigger a first-run SmartScreen warning.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
- Workflow
- Its graph uses generators, modifiers, selectors, masks and export nodes, with one data type flowing along every edge.liminalfield.github.io · read 30 Sep 2026
