godot-3d-essentials Checked

Set up a Godot 4.7 3D scene: Node3D transforms, Camera3D, lighting (DirectionalLight3D/OmniLight3D), WorldEnvironment for sky/ambient/tonemap/post, MeshInstance3D materials, and GridMap for tile-based 3D levels. Use when building a 3D scene in a Godot project, placing cameras/lights, configuring environment and post-processing, or working with Node3D/.tscn 3D content and GridMap.

Godot 3D Essentials (4.x)

Assemble a working 3D scene: transforms, camera, lights, environment/post, materials, and

GridMap blockouts. Targets **Godot 4.7**.

Set up a Godot 4.7 3D scene: Node3D transforms, Camera3D, lighting (DirectionalLight3D/OmniLight3D), WorldEnvironment for sky/ambient/tonemap/post, MeshInstance3D materials, and GridMap for tile-based 3D levels. Use when building a 3D scene in a Godot project, placing cameras/lights, configuring environment and post-processing, or working with Node3D/.tscn 3D content and GridMap.

Godot 3D Essentials (4.x)

Assemble a working 3D scene: transforms, camera, lights, environment/post, materials, and

GridMap blockouts. Targets **Godot 4.7**.

When to use

• Use when starting or fixing a 3D scene: positioning a Camera3D, adding lights, setting

up a WorldEnvironment (sky, ambient, tonemap, glow/SSAO), assigning materials, or

building levels with GridMap.

**When *not* to use:** writing spatial shaders → godot-shaders; 3D physics bodies and

raycasts → godot-physics; character animation blending → godot-animation; full FPS

template → the fps-shooter genre skill.

Core workflow

1. **Everything 3D is a Node3D** with a Transform3D (position, rotation basis, scale).

Move with global_position, rotate with rotate_y(angle) or look_at(target).

2. **Add a Camera3D.** Mark it current (or call make_current()); set fov, near,

far. Parent it to a rig/pivot for orbit or follow cameras.

3. **Light the scene.** A DirectionalLight3D is the sun; OmniLight3D/SpotLight3D are

local. Enable shadows per light. Without lights and ambient, surfaces render black.

4. **Add a WorldEnvironment** with an Environment resource: background (sky/color),

ambient light, tonemap, and post (glow, SSAO, fog, adjustments).

5. **Give meshes materials** (StandardMaterial3D or a ShaderMaterial) on

MeshInstance3D.

6. **Block out levels with GridMap**, which places MeshLibrary items on a 3D grid

(the 3D analog of a tilemap).

Patterns

### 1. A follow camera (third-person, smoothed)

extends Camera3D

@export var target: Node3D
@export var offset := Vector3(0, 4, 8)
@export var smooth := 6.0

func _physics_process(delta: float) -> void:
    if target == null:
        return
    var desired := target.global_position + offset
    global_position = global_position.lerp(desired, smooth * delta)  # smooth follow
    look_at(target.global_position, Vector3.UP)                      # face the target

### 2. Sun + environment in code

func _ready() -> void:
    var sun := DirectionalLight3D.new()
    sun.rotation_degrees = Vector3(-45, -30, 0)
    sun.shadow_enabled = true
    add_child(sun)

    var we := WorldEnvironment.new()
    var env := Environment.new()
    env.background_mode = Environment.BG_SKY
    env.sky = Sky.new()
    env.sky.sky_material = ProceduralSkyMaterial.new()
    env.ambient_light_source = Environment.AMBIENT_SOURCE_SKY
    env.tonemap_mode = Environment.TONE_MAPPER_FILMIC
    env.glow_enabled = true
    we.environment = env
    add_child(we)