Space Engineers 2 | Guide: Making a Skybox

This tutorial provides a guide to creating a new skybox in the VRAGE3 Mod Editor.

Prerequisites

⏱️ Time to complete: ~5 mins

Please ensure you have followed the section on “Tool Setup and Mod Creation” in the VRAGE3 Modding Overview guide prior to starting this guide.

If you are not interested in the creation process of your own skybox please skip to the VRAGE3 Mod Editor section and use the example skybox provided which can be found here: “Steam\steamapps\common\Space Engineers 2 - Mod SDK\ExampleMod1\Skybox”

Art Process

1. Create a Skybox
   The skybox used in the example file was generated via SpaceScape App[alexcpeterson.com] (free). You can create any space theme skybox, using layers and noise generators, and it will export the files with the right orientations.
   
   
   
   
2. Polish
   Once generated use your preferred image editing software to tweak and post process if wanted
   
   
   
   
3. Export
   Skyboxes require .tiff as an asset using an image editing programme export as .tiff with color ICC Profile activated
   
   
4. Naming
   The VRAGE3 Mod Editor generates the skybox asset based on the names of the files (direction in the cubemap) ensure they are named in the following way:
   
   • back_pz
     
   • down_ny
     
   • front_nz
     
   • left_px
     
   • righ_tnx
     
   • up_py

VRAGE3 Mod Editor

Adding Source Files and Making Cubemap Assets

1. Create New Folder: Right-click on empty space within the project explorer, Create New Folder, rename it to SkyboxMod
   
   
2. Enter Folder: Double click on the newly created folder
   
   
3. Drag Files: Drag the files from ExampleMod1\Skybox\ in your operating system’s file explorer to the Editor
   
   
4. Name Skybox: When prompted name the file SkyboxMod
   
   

Note: After naming, the skybox cubemap is generated automatically. Note this can take some time to process

Previewing Skybox

1. Open Render View: If the “Render view” is not already showing on screen, go to the “Window” tab → “Render View”
   
   
2. Open Skybox Settings: Press the “Skybox Settings” button (Cloud Icon)
   
   
3. Select Skybox: Select newly created Skybox from the Skybox dropdown list
   
   

Adding Skybox to the Game

1. Search for Vanilla Definition: Press the magnifying glass and in the search bar enter EnvironmentResourcesConfigurationOverride.def
   
   
   
   
2. Create Override Definition: Right click on EnvironmentResourcesConfigurationOverride.def, select Create Partial Definition (Override)
   Overriding this definition allows your mod to update existing and new saves that use the original skybox, applying your changes automatically.
   
   
   
   
3. Select Mod Folder: An operating system window will appear, select the folder you want the override to be created in and then press “Select Folder”
   
   
4. Name Override Definition: Either name the file something of your choosing or leave it as “Override of……..” and press enter
   
   
5. Select Override Definition: select the newly created definition
   
   
6. Set Skybox Asset: Drag the SkyboxMod.cubemap to the inspector panel where it says Starfield in the Skybox field.
   
   

You should now be able to start your game by going to the menu bar → Project → Start Game and on starting a game have your newly created Skybox applied.

Video Guide

Support & Links

In case you need more help, check out the Modding section of our Discord[discord.gg] – our team and community are there to support you!



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