# 3d Essentials

Use when working with 3D-specific systems, materials, lighting, shadows, environment...

- Repository: https://github.com/jame581/GodotPrompter (914 stars)
- Category: Media
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add jame581/GodotPrompter --skill 3d-essentials -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add jame581/GodotPrompter --skill 3d-essentials -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add jame581/GodotPrompter --skill 3d-essentials -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add jame581/GodotPrompter --skill 3d-essentials -g -a gemini-cli -y`
Claude Code plugin marketplace: `/plugin marketplace add jame581/GodotPrompter`

## Description

Use when working with 3D-specific systems, materials, lighting, shadows, environment, global illumination, fog, LOD, occlusion culling, and decals in Godot 4.3+

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

# 3D Essentials in Godot 4.3+

All examples target Godot 4.3+ with no deprecated APIs. GDScript is shown first, then C#.

> **Related skills:** **rendering-pipeline** for renderer choice, lighting strategy, AA and resolution scaling, **player-controller** for CharacterBody3D movement, **physics-system** for 3D collision shapes and raycasting, **camera-system** for Camera3D follow and transitions, **shader-basics** for spatial shaders and post-processing, **godot-optimization** for 3D performance tuning, **animation-system** for AnimationTree and 3D animation blending.

---

## 1. 3D Coordinate System & Core Nodes

### Coordinate System

Godot uses a **right-handed** coordinate system with metric units (1 unit = 1 meter):

| Axis | Direction | Color |
|------|-----------|--------|
| X | Right | Red |
| Y | Up | Green |
| Z | Out of screen (+Z toward viewer) | Blue |

> Cameras and lights point along **-Z** by default. When a character "faces forward," they look along -Z.

### Essential 3D Nodes

| Node | Purpose |
|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------|
| `Node3D` | Base transform node, position, rotation, scale |
| `MeshInstance3D` | Displays a mesh with a material |
| `Camera3D` | Required to render 3D, perspective or orthogonal |
| `DirectionalLight3D` | Sun/moon, parallel rays, cheapest light |
| `OmniLight3D` | Point light, emits in all directions |
| `SpotLight3D` | Cone light, flashlights, spotlights |
| `WorldEnvironment` | Sky, fog, tonemap, post-processing |
| `Decal` | Projected texture onto surfaces |
| `GPUParticles3D` | GPU-driven particle effects |
| `CSGBox3D` etc. | Constructive Solid Geometry, prototyping |
| `GridMap` | 3D tile-based level building |

The rest: https://github.com/jame581/GodotPrompter/blob/HEAD/skills/3d-essentials/SKILL.md