If you want to get better with layout and game play, start by disabling all the fancy render stuff and look at the basics.
1) disable all render setting except terrain and vegetation (in rollup bar)
2) e_defaultmaterial 1 or r_texbindmode 5 alows you to see flat shading which really helps when figuring out geometry shapes
3) work out a lighting TOD that fits your geometry and highlights your "routes or paths"