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Origen comes with several biome distribution presets that dramatically change how the world generates. You can easily switch between presets or customize distribution stages in pack.yml.

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Available Presets

Biome distribution presets determine which biomes can generate and where they appear. Origen includes several built-in presets:

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Rearth Preset (Default)

The full Origen experience with all custom biomes enabled.
pack.yml
biomes: $biome-distribution/presets/rearth.yml:biomes
This preset includes:
  • All custom Origen biomes
  • Land, ocean, coastal, and cave biomes
  • Special biomes (sinkholes, spot biomes, canyons)
  • Balanced biome distribution

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Default Preset

A more vanilla-like experience using Terra’s default distribution:
pack.yml
biomes: $biome-distribution/presets/default.yml:biomes

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Single Biome

Generate a world with only one biome for testing:
pack.yml
biomes: $biome-distribution/presets/single.yml:biomes
You’ll need to edit the single.yml preset file to specify which biome to use.

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Switching Presets

To switch between presets:
  1. Open pack.yml in the root of your Origen directory
  2. Find the biomes: configuration line
  3. Comment out the current preset by adding # at the start
  4. Uncomment your desired preset by removing the #

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Example

pack.yml
# Default biome distribution
# biomes: $biome-distribution/presets/default.yml:biomes

# Active preset
biomes: $biome-distribution/presets/rearth.yml:biomes

# Single biome for testing
# biomes: $biome-distribution/presets/single.yml:biomes
Changing presets requires generating a new world or entering unexplored chunks. Existing chunks will retain their original biome distribution.

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Population Stages

Population stages control what features generate after the initial terrain. Stages execute from top to bottom chronologically.

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Default Stages

Here are all the population stages in Origen:
pack.yml
stages:
  # Global features like bedrock lava
  - id: global-preprocessors
    type: FEATURE
  
  # Misc terrain modifications
  - id: preprocessors
    type: FEATURE
  
  # Boulders and terrain-like features
  - id: landforms
    type: FEATURE
  
  # Smooth terrain with slabs
  - id: slabs
    type: FEATURE
  
  # Ore generation
  - id: ores
    type: FEATURE
  
  # Dirt, gravel, andesite patches
  - id: deposits
    type: FEATURE
  
  # River-specific features
  - id: river-decoration
    type: FEATURE
  
  # Trees and large features
  - id: trees
    type: FEATURE
    
  # Underwater plants
  - id: underwater-flora
    type: FEATURE
    
  # Grass, flowers, vines
  - id: flora
    type: FEATURE
  
  # Final touches like snow on trees
  - id: postprocessors
    type: FEATURE

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Disabling Stages

You can disable any generation stage by commenting it out with #:

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Example: No Ores

pack.yml
stages:
  - id: preprocessors
    type: FEATURE
  - id: landforms
    type: FEATURE
  # - id: ores
  #   type: FEATURE
  - id: deposits
    type: FEATURE

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Example: No Trees or Flora

pack.yml
stages:
  - id: ores
    type: FEATURE
  - id: deposits
    type: FEATURE
  # - id: trees
  #   type: FEATURE
  # - id: flora
  #   type: FEATURE
  - id: postprocessors
    type: FEATURE
Disabling stages is useful for creating challenge worlds, testing terrain generation, or creating specific gameplay experiences.

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Customizing Presets

You can create your own distribution preset by copying and modifying an existing one:
  1. Navigate to biome-distribution/presets/
  2. Copy an existing preset (e.g., rearth.yml)
  3. Rename it (e.g., custom.yml)
  4. Edit the biome distribution logic
  5. Reference it in pack.yml:
pack.yml
biomes: $biome-distribution/presets/custom.yml:biomes

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Preset Structure

Biome distribution presets use a pipeline system. Here’s a simplified example:
custom.yml
biomes:
  type: PIPELINE
  pipeline:
    # Define sources (noise maps for temperature, continents, etc.)
    source:
      type: SAMPLER
      # ...
    
    # Define stages (how biomes are selected)
    stages:
      # Continental stage (land vs ocean)
      - type: SAMPLER
        # ...
      
      # Temperature stage (hot vs cold biomes)
      - type: SAMPLER
        # ...
Customizing distribution presets requires understanding Terra’s biome pipeline system. Check the Terra documentation for detailed information.

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Common Customization Scenarios

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All Land, No Oceans

Modify the continental stage in your preset to always return land biomes: 
# In your custom preset
source:
  continental:
    type: CONSTANT
    value: 1.0  # Always land

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Only Cold Biomes

Modify the temperature stage to only select cold biomes: 
# In your custom preset
source:
  temperature:
    type: CONSTANT
    value: -1.0  # Always cold

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Specific Biome Mix

Create a custom stage that selects from a limited biome pool: 
stages:
  - type: EXPAND
    id: custom-selection
    expand:
      PLAINS: weight: 3
      FOREST: weight: 2
      MOUNTAINS: weight: 1
Extensive preset modifications can cause generation errors. Always test in a new world and keep backups of working configurations.

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Meta Parameters

Some basic distribution parameters are available in meta.yml:
meta.yml
# World Y levels affect what can generate
top-y: 319
ocean-level: 62
bottom-y: -64
These values affect:
  • Maximum build height
  • Where ocean biomes generate
  • Cave biome depth ranges
  • Structure placement limits

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Testing Your Configuration

  1. Backup your world before making changes
  2. Edit pack.yml to change presets or stages
  3. Create a new world with the modified configuration
  4. Use creative mode and fly around to quickly evaluate biome distribution
  5. Check multiple coordinates - Some biomes are rarer than others
  6. Test over distance - Distribution patterns become clear at scale
Use a tool like MineAtlas or Chunkbase with your seed to preview biome distribution before extensive exploration.

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Advanced: Pipeline Sources

Distribution presets can reference alternate sources and stages. Check the default preset for examples: 
# In biome-distribution/presets/default.yml
source:
  temperature: $../sources/temperature.yml:sampler
  precipitation: $../sources/precipitation.yml:sampler
  continental: $../sources/continental.yml:sampler
You can create your own sources in biome-distribution/sources/ and reference them in custom presets.

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Further Learning

For in-depth customization of biome distribution:

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