GET YOUR BEARINGS
Plan your next World Climate Lab session
Our independent guide walks you through World Climate Lab’s core tools, helping you set up systematic experiments without relying on undocumented shortcuts. By focusing on each feature, you can compare outcomes, record observations and build reliable world‑building data.
01 / THE GUIDE
Tilt Comparison
Run two simulations: one with Earth‑like 23.5° tilt and another with 90° tilt. Record the width of climate bands in the Climate view and note any shift in ice coverage.
- Begin with the height‑curve tool to set global elevation before adding detailed brushes.
- Use the sea‑mask slider after sculpting to see how a small rise in sea level floods coastlines.
02 / THE GUIDE
Star Spectrum Test
Swap a Sun‑like star for a red dwarf while keeping all other parameters constant. Observe changes in snow albedo and surface temperature in the Surface view, then log the differences.
- Set extreme tilts to watch climate bands widen or reverse direction.
- Add a second moon to compare how multiple tidal sources affect sea level variation.
03 / THE GUIDE
Moon Influence on Tides
Add a second moon to a planet with a thin atmosphere. Compare sea‑level variation and tidal range before and after the addition using the Oceans view.
- Switch to the Energy Flow view after major parameter changes to see if the climate has stabilised.
- Use the satellite view to spot unexpected cloud patterns that differ from Earth‑like expectations.
04 / THE GUIDE
Atmospheric Composition Experiment
Create three atmospheres—nitrogen‑rich, carbon‑dioxide‑rich and methane‑rich. Use the Atmosphere view to track pressure, cloud formation and temperature differences across each case.
- Export a full‑year animation to compare seasonal shifts after altering orbital parameters.
- Save the climate‑class map to quickly locate potential habitable zones for world‑building.
05 / THE GUIDE
External Data Analysis
After a simulation stabilises, export monthly temperature and precipitation grids. Import them into a spreadsheet to calculate average annual climate zones and compare with Köppen classifications.
- Lower the simulation speed on older GPUs to keep the display smooth while preserving accuracy.
- Increase UI scaling if text becomes hard to read on high‑resolution displays.
