Earthworks

earthworks

terrain

raster

beginner

A collection of tutorials demonstrating how to model terrain in GRASS with r.earthworks.

Author

Brendan Harmon

Published

July 7, 2025

Modified

July 18, 2025

Random fill operation with r.earthworks

Learn how model terrain with r.earthworks. With this tool you can generate new terrain or modify existing terrain using cut and fill operations inspired by earthworking. The first tutorial on the basics of terrain modeling introduces key concepts such as cut and fill operations. The subsequent tutorials introduce more advanced concepts such as relative operations and growth and decay functions. These tutorials demonstrate how to generate terrain, model natural landforms, and model anthropogenic landforms - i.e. earthworks - such as roads, dams, and levees. Read our paper to learn more.

Installation

Command line
Python

g.extension extension=r.earthworks

# Install extension
gs.run_command("g.extension", extension="r.earthworks")

Tutorial Collection

Basic earthworks
Learn the basics of terrain modeling with r.earthworks.
Gully modeling
Model gullies using relative cut operations.
Coastal infrastructure
Model coastal infrastructure projects including levees and restored alluvial ridges.
Terrain synthesis
Synthesize terrain by applying landforms from one landscape to another.

---
title: "Earthworks"
author: "Brendan Harmon"
date: 2025-07-07
date-modified: today
image: images/earthworks_01.webp
links:
  r_earthworks: "[r.earthworks](https://grass.osgeo.org/grass-stable/manuals/addons/r.earthworks.html)"
  g_extension: "[g.extension](https://grass.osgeo.org/grass-stable/manuals/g.extension.html)"
format:
  html:
    toc: true
    code-tools: true
    code-copy: true
    code-fold: false
categories: [earthworks, terrain, raster, beginner]
description: "A collection of tutorials demonstrating how to model terrain in GRASS with r.earthworks."
engine: jupyter
execute:
  eval: false
---

![Random fill operation with r.earthworks](images/earthworks_01.webp)

Learn how model terrain with {{< meta links.r_earthworks >}}. With this tool you can generate new terrain or modify existing terrain using cut and fill operations inspired by earthworking. The first tutorial on the basics of terrain modeling introduces key concepts such as cut and fill operations. The subsequent tutorials introduce more advanced concepts such as relative operations and growth and decay functions. These tutorials demonstrate how to generate terrain, model natural landforms, and model anthropogenic landforms - i.e. earthworks - such as roads, dams, and levees. Read our [paper](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/baharmon/r.earthworks/main/paper/paper.pdf) to learn more. 

<!-- Update link when paper published -->

## Installation

::: {.panel-tabset group="language"}

## Command line

```{bash}
g.extension extension=r.earthworks
```

## Python

```{python}
# Install extension
gs.run_command("g.extension", extension="r.earthworks")
```

:::

## Tutorial Collection

1. **[Basic earthworks](./basics.qmd)**  
Learn the basics of terrain modeling with r.earthworks.

2. **[Gully modeling](./gullies.qmd)**  
Model gullies using relative cut operations.

3. **[Coastal infrastructure](./levees.qmd)**  
Model coastal infrastructure projects including levees and restored alluvial ridges.

4. **[Terrain synthesis](./synthesis.qmd)**  
Synthesize terrain by applying landforms from one landscape to another.