intuitive user-interface - Extremely easy to use layout, along with realistic default settings, allows the creation of good-looking scenes within seconds of starting the program.
random fractal terrain - Controllable parameters allow extremely varied terrain shapes. Can also be used to 'fill in' realistic terrain on a user-defined landscape.
high detail foreground texturing - The rendering engine allows extreme close-ups of landscape details with automatic level of detail adjustment.
terrain sculpting tools - Can be used to 'paint' the shape of the landscape, to position mountains and valleys or make changes to random landscapes. Random terrain generation can be used 'fill in' realistic terrain over deliberately positioned mountains and valleys.
terrain modification tools - Functions for allowing overall modification of terrain shape, such as glaciation.
combination of terrains - Two terrains can be combined together to produce a new terrain, using a number of different methods such as 'highest', 'lowest', height addition and subtraction, to extend the usefulness of the terrain generation system.
terrain import/export - Terragen can import and export raw heightfield information in 8-bit greyscale (and soon 16-bit). Possible uses include the construction of terrains from externally created pictures. Terragen can also save files compatible with the 'Import Binary' feature in VistaPro.