The mapping system uses terrain data defined in a raw image file, such as that found in a digital elevation model which can be used to form a realistic surface. This system is known as Flexbody, and has been included since version. Recent development has allowed for static meshes to be deformed according to a skeleton of nodes, much like the system in the game 1nsane. Simple 2D skins can be made to wrap the vehicle, and can be supplemented with static mesh objects. Vehicle configurations are stored in plain text. If a beam is too stressed, it will deform, thus altering the associated nodes position which ultimately alters the appearance and handling of a vehicle.
Vertices (or 'nodes') are influenced by the stress on the beams that connect them. Vehicles are built using vertices connected by beams. All engines allow for a wide range of customization, leaving virtually no boundaries.
Prior to version 0.28, the game was limited to typical land vehicles with wheels, but plane and boat engines have been added since. Rigs of Rods was initially created as an off-road truck simulator, but has developed into a versatile physics sandbox game.
