TerrainTerrain pieces are elements of a style which lemmings can modify. They include anything solid that the lemming is able to walk upon, dig into, or bump into. Terrain also includes steel.

(Left to right):
Bricks from the ohno_brick style set,
steps from the orig_marble style set,
spike from the orig_fire style set,
steel block from the ohno_rock style set.
Terrain pieces are single image files, and can be any shape as long as empty space within the file is set to Alpha 0 (transparent). Lemmings will interact with any part of the terrain that is not transparent.
For steel, you must include an .nxmt file alongside the low-res version of the graphic, with the same name as the steel piece. Open the .nxmt file in a text editor and simply type the word STEEL, and the terrain piece will be recognised by NeoLemmix as steel.
N.B. .nxmt files do not need to be included with other regular terrain pieces. N.B. Be sure to place the .nxmt files in the low-res terrain folder - there is no need to also include it in the hi-res folder as NeoLemmix will
only look for these files in the low-res folder.
Terrain pieces are part of a
style, along with objects, lemming sprites (if applicable), and backgrounds. They can be found by navigating to:
NeoLemmix/styles/(name_of_style)/terrain (contains the low-res terrain graphics)
NeoLemmix/styles/(name_of_style)/terrain-hr (contains the hi-res terrain graphics)
Most existing styles are in low-res only. The following instructions apply if you wish to create a hi-res version of an existing terrain piece:
- Firstly, create a terrain-hr folder within NeoLemmix>styles/(name_of_style).
- Once you've done this, you're ready to create your hi-res terrain graphic(s) using one of the methods below.
Whichever method you choose, be sure to place the hi-res version of your terrain piece in (name_of_style)/terrain-hr and the low res version in (name_of_style)/terrain. Also,
ensure that both files have exactly the same name.
Method 1: Enlarge the Low-res version.It's possible to create a hi-res version of a low-res graphic by manually resizing it by 200%. You can then edit the resulting graphic as you wish to enhance the details.
Method 2: Create the hi-res graphic from scratch.Maybe you want to the hi-res version to look different from the low-res one, in which case you may wish to create something from scratch.
For terrain, it is necessary to ensure that your hi-res version is
exactly double the dimensions of the low-res counterpart. So, if the low-res version is 10 x 8, the hi-res version should be 20 x 16.
Alternatively, you may wish to create an entirely new terrain piece that doesn't exist yet, or maybe you're creating your own style pack.
You have a choice of four options. Whichever option you choose, be sure to place the hi-res version of your terrain piece in (name_of_style)/terrain-hr and the low res version in (name_of_style)/terrain. Also, ensure that both files have exactly the same name.
Option 1: Create only a low-res version, and let NeoLemmix's upscaler create the hi-res version for you.
This is recommended if you're happy to create a terrain graphic which looks good enough in low res, and you're happy to allow NeoLemmix to upscale the graphic if someone plays using your style in hi-res mode. This is a perfectly viable option, and can save you a lot of time.
However, you may not be entirely happy with the results of the upscaler, in which case one of the following options may be best for you.
Option 2: Create the hi-res version first, then resize it by 50% to get the low-res version.
This is recommended as the best option if your graphic is intended to be used in hi-resolution.
Create your terrain piece in hi-resolution, make it as detailed as you like, and once it's finished, simply use your graphics editor to resize it by 50% - be sure to save it as a different file with exactly the same name. You may wish to make further edits to the low-res version to tidy it up depending on which scaling algorithm you used (Nearest Neighbour is generally recommended for this purpose).
Option 3: Create the low-res version first, then resize it by 200% to get the hi-res version.
There are a number of reasons you may wish to choose this option.
Firstly, it can be a good way to get the terrain piece designed quickly, then allowing you to add further detail to its hi-res counterpart after you've resized it.
Also, you may want the hi-res version to look identical to the low-res version, without any upscaling or additional detail. If this is the case, simply scale the object 200% using the Nearest Neighbour algorithm and then leave it unedited. It will look identical, but be the correct size for hi-res mode.
Either way, be sure to save both versions of the graphic with exactly the same name.
Option 4: Create the low-res and hi-res versions separately.
This option is best if you want the hi-res version of your terrain piece to look completely different from the low-res version.
Simply create the two as separate files, but ensure that they are the correct relative size (i.e. the hi-res version should be exactly double the size of the low-res version, and that they have the same name.
To include your customised terrain graphics as part of your level pack, you need to include the style folder alongside the pack. This can be done by sending the style to namida and/or Nessy for inclusion in the style downloads manager, or by including it as a download alongside your level pack.
If you have created hi-resolution versions of existing terrain graphics, you can either send these to the author of the style pack and they can choose whether or not they wish to include it in the official version (for
orig/ohno styles, contact namida or Nessy), or you can include it in a new style titled yourname_special.
NOTE: low-res images are upscaled by default in NeoLemmix's hi-res mode, so although it is not always necessary to include a hi-res version of your graphic,
it is always necessary to include a low-res version.