# Godot 3d Essentials

Set up a Godot 4.7 3D scene: Node3D transforms, Camera3D, lighting...

- Repository: https://github.com/gamedev-skills/awesome-gamedev-agent-skills (6445 stars)
- Category: Media
- License: Apache-2.0
- Last updated: 2026-10-28
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add gamedev-skills/awesome-gamedev-agent-skills --skill godot-3d-essentials -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add gamedev-skills/awesome-gamedev-agent-skills --skill godot-3d-essentials -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add gamedev-skills/awesome-gamedev-agent-skills --skill godot-3d-essentials -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add gamedev-skills/awesome-gamedev-agent-skills --skill godot-3d-essentials -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add gamedev-skills/awesome-gamedev-agent-skills`

## Description

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.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# 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; `AreaLight3D` (4.7+) is a rectangular panel light that costs more than omni/spot.
   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)

```gdscript
extends Camera3D

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

The rest: https://github.com/gamedev-skills/awesome-gamedev-agent-skills/blob/HEAD/skills/godot/godot-3d-essentials/SKILL.md