How to get started with terraforming?

[Wolfycheeks]

Hi all,

I've come to a point where I'm ready to completely start re-making my entire island, but how do I start it up? I was thinking of removing all the trees and flowers, closing all the rivers, and removing all cliffs too, then start from empty land. However, I'm horrible at planning and wouldn't know where to start; I get overwhelmed and just quit playing. Does anyone have any advice on how to start this up? Thanks in advance!

 

[azurill]

I would start with a plan. I don’t recommend removing everything at once as that could be overwhelming. I know I couldn’t do that myself. I would start with one area and go from there. Maybe start at your entrance or if you are going to have a neighborhood for your villagers maybe start there. Take your time when terraforming and take breaks so it’s not overwhelming. When I took my time terraforming I found I liked it better. My islands are coming together better now that I have a plan for them.

 

[bestfriendsally]

I don’t recommend removing everything at once as that could be overwhelming.

yeah, i did that for my kidcore theme of my island... never again am i doing that...
not unless i have a plan for the theme i want to do ... :>

 

[your local goomy]

https://www.akrpg.com/animal-crossing-island-designer

I'd recommend using this. It lets you plan out your design ahead of time and it's split into acres and individual tiles, so it can really help for when you actually start terraforming. I personally used it for my island.

 

[bestfriendsally]

https://www.akrpg.com/animal-crossing-island-designer

I'd recommend using this. It lets you plan out your design ahead of time and it's split into acres and individual tiles, so it can really help for when you actually start terraforming. I personally used it for my island.

that looks just like happy island designer - https://eugeneration.github.io/HappyIslandDesigner/
did they update it or something?
edit: i checked.. it doesn't look updated...

 

[Sasey]

I would second what @azurill said! I would do it one space at a time. I like to work with what’s there and change it up. Maybe add more. Or take away. Sketching out a simple plan also helps a lot too. Best of luck!

 

[Violet Witch]

I find watching speed builds on YouTube a great source of inspiration with some YouTuber's like Lex Play & Toffee always giving out some great tips when it comes to terraforming that I've since adopted on my own island. Also don't flatten your entire island as you'll get bored and that boredom will lead to a slump in creativity. Instead start on a small area that doesn't require too much change, that way if you don't like what you've built you can knock it down and start again until you feel confident enough to try something bigger and more ambitious.

 

[Wolfycheeks]

Thank you, everyone, for the replies; I hate starting with one spot at a time because I don't know where I want anything, to be able to decide where things will go I need a blank canvas so to speak.. but that would require removing everything and that's such a hassle. I think I'll plan out my layout on the website given, and start with a residential area. Ty all!

 

[onionboy98]

I would say start by changing the bits that bother you most, then work your way into what bothers you the least. If you're dead set on doing it all at once, then I would say be prepared to lose some sleep, as you should probably set aside at least a full 24 hrs to do it all. The way I would plan it out is to hand-draw (regardless of skill) what you want your end result to look like. That's what I did, and now I'm completely satisfied with my island, even if it's only 3 stars. Basically make it your own. Nobody else's opinion matters, as your the one who has to live with it every time you play.

Hope that helps.

 

[PacV]

Don't! Run while you still free. When you start, you can't stop...

Jokes aside, I start by plaining my whole island then i can plan from there.

 

[xxcodexx]

im trying very hard to keep my island as its natural shape, but i have had to do a bit of terraforming here and there already.
what i did was move the shops to where i wanted them to be, including the museum. then i decorated those areas *the shops anyways, not the museum area yet*. then i moved all the villagers into the areas that i wanted them to be in and then terraformed it around them. im currently decorating those areas. i admire those that start with a blank slate though! for me that might be easier than what im currently doing lol