I did very little terraforming on my island. I have houses that sit back against cliffs, so I made those a straight line. I created a reflecting pool and placed a statue in the center. And I tweaked a few little waterfalls near my house.
I have made the poor decision to remove all the cliffs, rivers, flowers, and chop or move all my trees. I've started re-building my island but I really just wanted a blank canvas and something to work on.
I've been procrastinating doing anything though because I don't know which villagers I want.
To me, I really like the look of terraforming, but I am one of those lazy people who just mainly run around and talk to villagers for a whole HOUR, so I haven't really done an incredible amount. YET. I want to, though. I'm always very impressed by the people who make the tiny waterfalls on their island because they're SO CUTE. And one thing I want on my island is a lagoon for Flora, so I better get to work lol.
Terraforming is a thing of the past for me. I know it used to be enjoyable trying to build rivers, waterfalls, and cliffs, but after restarting 50 times it becomes way too tiresome and tedious. I am so spoiled by Happy Home Paradise's Outside Decorate Tool that it makes the Island Designer in ACNH so dated.
I say use it to get rid of parts of the second level on your Island where you want large flat land. That way you can have more control over what your Island’s look will be. Just don’t get rid of the natural waterfall and pond and river sections until you’ve gotten all of the Fish.
I've only done light terraforming. I moved the pond by the airport one square to the left. I took a picture before the move and reconstructed it as best as I could. Other slight terraforming included attempts to restore a cliff by the player house and a river and the cliff where I once had the museum. I would say that my island is at least 90% the original landscape.
I'd lightly terraform just to make bridges and inclines work. You might have a spot perfect for those, but the river/cliff needs a very minor edit to make it possible
