Help & FAQ

Real LiDAR Terrains for RCT3

The fastest way to get help is the feedback button in the site footer - every message lands directly on our build board and we read all of them. Most answers you might need are below.

What is this?

Drop a pin anywhere on Earth, preview the true-to-life terrain in 3D, and generate a ready-to-play park file for RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 built from real LiDAR and satellite elevation data.

Is it free?

Previews are free, no account needed. Downloading generated parks requires a membership (19.99 USD/month, cancel anytime from Manage membership).

What do I need?

A copy of RollerCoaster Tycoon 3 that you own (Platinum or Complete Edition). The FACTORY desktop app runs on macOS (Apple Silicon), Windows, and Linux; the web tool runs in any modern browser.

Installing on macOS

Copy the one-line install command from the Download button, paste it into Terminal, press Enter. The script downloads the app, clears the quarantine flag (no unidentified-developer warning), and opens it. Drag it to Applications.

Installing on Windows

Copy the one-line PowerShell command from the Download button, paste it into PowerShell, press Enter. It downloads the installer, unblocks it, and starts it - no SmartScreen fuss. Prefer to do it manually? Download the .exe, right-click it, Properties, tick Unblock, then run it.

Installing on Linux

Download the AppImage, make it executable (chmod +x THE-FACTORY-linux-x86_64.AppImage), and run it.

Using a generated park

Generate and download the terrain for your pin, then load it in RCT3 like any custom park. The desktop app can place files for you; the web download gives you the file directly. Details differ slightly by RCT3 edition - the in-app help covers both, and the feedback button reaches us if anything is unclear.

Why does my preview look different from the download?

The web preview is a quick visual model. The generated park is built from the same elevation data at full resolution and real-world proportions.

Some spots say out of coverage

Global coverage spans roughly 60°S to 84°N (the GLO-30 dataset). Ocean points and the extreme poles cannot be generated.

Billing

Manage or cancel from the Manage membership link when signed in - it opens the Stripe portal. Cancelling keeps access until the end of the paid period. See terms for the full policy.

Where does the terrain data come from?

Copernicus GLO-30 worldwide and USGS 3DEP in the United States - full credits in terms, data sources.

Still stuck?

Use the feedback button in the footer (fastest, goes straight to the build board) or email admin@getthefactory.com.