What's the purpose of terrain tiles?

[mithrandir0x]

What's the purpose of terrain tiles?

Hello, when creating the world, the first step is to create a terrain with a size of "world units" and a number of tiles. I don't really understand what does mean "world units", and I don't see why using the number of tiles (maybe geometry occlusion?). Can you explain me a bit what do they mean?

(Also, is there a short-cut to swap the value of "Mapping Tool" of the Terrain Tools?)

Thanks, and farewell.

 

[iniside]

1 unit = 1m = 1pixel on heightmap.
So 4096 = 4096 px heightmap = 4096m.
Each tile create seprate mask for material painting as well as seprate geometry.
The more tiles the higher resolution of painting can be achieved.

 

[Fartuess.807]

Additionally every tile is separated layer so using SVN many people can edit terrain without conflicing with themselves if they will stick to their tiles.