Atmospheric Effects

Atmospheric effects simulate realistic environments by scattering sunlight in unique ways based on properties that control air particles. Using the Atmosphere object, you can:

Atmospheric effects used to render a brilliant sunset scene

Atmosphere Properties

Every property of the Atmosphere object inside the Lighting service works together to support the overall vision, themes, and mood of your experience.

Atmosphere object shown in Explorer window of Studio

Density

The Density property controls how many particles exist in the air of your experience; the higher the density, the more particles, which obstruct a player's view of objects and terrain.

Atmosphere with Density value of 0

Offset

The Offset property controls how light transmits between the camera and the sky background. When you increase this value, it creates a horizon silhouette; when you decrease this value, it blends distant objects into the sky for a seemingly endless and seamless open world.

Atmosphere with Offset value of 0

Haze

The Haze property controls the haziness of the atmosphere to create a visible effect both above the horizon and far into the distance from the camera. To create environmental moods, like a smoky tint for a polluted alien planet or a foggy blue tint for a somber experience, combine this property with the Color property.

Atmosphere with Haze value of 1

Color

The Color property sets the hue of the atmosphere for subtle environmental moods and themes. To expand this property's visible effect, combine it with a high Haze property value.

Atmosphere with Color value of [255, 255, 255]

Glare

The Glare property sets an atmospheric glare around the sun. A high value results in an increased effect of sunlight cast onto the sky and experience. To see this property's visible effect, you must combine a glare with a Haze value higher than 0.

Atmosphere with Glare value of 0

Decay

The Decay property sets the hue of the atmosphere away from the sun, gradually falling off from Color toward this value. To see this property's visible effect, you must combine a glare with Haze and Glare values higher than 0.

Atmosphere with Decay value of [255, 255, 255]