Weather Systems

Weather definitions control sky appearance, celestial bodies, clouds, fog, lighting, and particle effects. They are referenced by environment configurations to create dynamic weather conditions.

Asset Location

• DirectoryAssets/Server/Weathers/

  • Blood_Moon.json
  • Creative_Hub.json
  • Forgotten_Temple.json
  • Void.json
  • DirectoryZone1/

    • Zone1_Sunny.json
    • Zone1_Rain.json
    • Zone1_Rain_Light.json
    • Zone1_Storm.json
    • Zone1_Foggy_Light.json
    • Zone1_Swamp.json
    • Cave_Shallow.json
    • Cave_Deep.json
    • Cave_Goblin.json
    • Cave_Volcanic.json
    • Dungeon_Cursed_Crypt.json
  • DirectoryZone2/

    • Zone2_Sunny.json
    • Zone2_Sand_Storm.json
    • Zone2_Thunder_Storm.json
    • Zone2_Desert_Haze.json
  • DirectoryZone3/

    • Zone3_Snow.json
    • Zone3_Snow_Heavy.json
    • Zone3_Snow_Storm.json
    • Zone3_Northern_Lights.json
    • Zone3_Rain.json
    • Zone3_Cave_Shallow.json
  • DirectoryZone4/

    • Zone4_Wastes.json
    • Zone4_Lava_Fields.json
    • Zone4_GhostForest.json
    • Zone4_Storm.json
  • DirectorySkylands/

    • …
  • DirectoryPoisonlands/

    • …
  • DirectoryMinigames/

    • …

Weather Schema

Core Properties

Field	Type	Description
Tags	object	Weather classification tags
Stars	string	Star texture path
Moons	array	Moon phase textures
Clouds	array	Cloud layer configurations
Particle	object	Weather particle system
FogDistance	[min, max]	Fog start and end distances

Time-Based Properties

Most visual properties use hour-based keyframes (0-23) for time-of-day transitions:

Field	Type	Description
SkyTopColors	array	Upper sky gradient colors
SkyBottomColors	array	Lower sky gradient colors
SkySunsetColors	array	Sunset horizon colors
FogColors	array	Fog tint colors
SunColors	array	Sun disc colors
SunGlowColors	array	Sun glow effect colors
SunScales	array	Sun size per hour
SunlightColors	array	Directional light colors
MoonColors	array	Moon disc colors
MoonGlowColors	array	Moon glow effect colors
MoonScales	array	Moon size per hour
FogDensities	array	Fog thickness per hour
FogHeightFalloffs	array	Vertical fog falloff

Hour Color Format

{
  "SkyTopColors": [
    { "Hour": 5, "Color": "#2b69a8ff" },
    { "Hour": 7, "Color": "rgba(#077ddd, 1)" },
    { "Hour": 17, "Color": "rgba(#077ddd, 1)" },
    { "Hour": 19, "Color": "#2b69a8ff" },
    { "Hour": 21, "Color": "#00000000" }
  ]
}

Colors can use:

• Hex format: #RRGGBB or #RRGGBBAA
• RGBA format: rgba(#RRGGBB, alpha)

Cloud Configuration

Clouds are defined as layered textures with time-based colors and speeds:

Cloud layer example

{
  "Clouds": [
    {
      "Texture": "Sky/Clouds/Light_Base.png",
      "Colors": [
        { "Hour": 3, "Color": "#1a1a1bc7" },
        { "Hour": 5, "Color": "rgba(#ff5e43, 0.504)" },
        { "Hour": 7, "Color": "#ffffffe6" },
        { "Hour": 17, "Color": "#ffffffe6" },
        { "Hour": 19, "Color": "#ff5e4347" },
        { "Hour": 21, "Color": "#1a1a1bc7" }
      ],
      "Speeds": [
        { "Hour": 0, "Value": 0.7 }
      ]
    },
    {
      "Texture": "Sky/Clouds/Light_Highlights.png",
      "Colors": [
        { "Hour": 7, "Color": "#ffffffe6" }
      ],
      "Speeds": [
        { "Hour": 0, "Value": 0.7 }
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Cloud Textures

Texture	Use Case
Sky/Clouds/Light_Base.png	Clear weather base
Sky/Clouds/Light_Highlights.png	Clear weather highlights
Sky/Clouds/Rain_Light_Base.png	Light rain
Sky/Clouds/Rain_Light_Highlights.png	Light rain highlights
Sky/Clouds/Rain_Heavy_Base.png	Heavy rain/storm
Sky/Clouds/Rain_Heavy_Highlights.png	Storm highlights
Sky/Clouds/Fluffy_Base.png	Fluffy clouds
Sky/Clouds/Storm_Plain.png	Storm overlay

Moon Phases

Moon textures change based on game day:

{
  "Moons": [
    { "Day": 0, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_Full.png" },
    { "Day": 1, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_Gibbous.png" },
    { "Day": 2, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_Half.png" },
    { "Day": 3, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_Crescent.png" },
    { "Day": 4, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_New.png" }
  ]
}

Weather Particles

Weather effects use particle systems:

{
  "Particle": {
    "SystemId": "Rain",
    "OvergroundOnly": true
  }
}

Available Particle Systems

SystemId	Effect
Rain	Moderate rain
Rain_Heavy	Heavy rain/storm
Rain_Light	Light drizzle
Snow_Light	Light snowfall
Snow_Heavy	Heavy snowfall
Snow_Storm	Blizzard
Dust_Storm	Desert sandstorm

Examples

Sunny Weather (Zone 1)

Zone1_Sunny.json

{
  "Tags": {
    "Zone1": ["Sunny"]
  },
  "Stars": "Sky/Stars.png",
  "Moons": [
    { "Day": 0, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_Full.png" },
    { "Day": 1, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_Gibbous.png" },
    { "Day": 2, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_Half.png" },
    { "Day": 3, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_Crescent.png" },
    { "Day": 4, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_New.png" }
  ],
  "SkyTopColors": [
    { "Hour": 3, "Color": "#00000000" },
    { "Hour": 5, "Color": "#2b69a8ff" },
    { "Hour": 7, "Color": "rgba(#077ddd, 1)" },
    { "Hour": 17, "Color": "rgba(#077ddd, 1)" },
    { "Hour": 19, "Color": "#2b69a8ff" },
    { "Hour": 21, "Color": "#00000000" }
  ],
  "SkyBottomColors": [
    { "Hour": 4, "Color": "#050e23ff" },
    { "Hour": 5, "Color": "#85aff3ff" },
    { "Hour": 7, "Color": "#8fd8f8ff" },
    { "Hour": 17, "Color": "#8fd8f8ff" },
    { "Hour": 19, "Color": "#598de1ff" },
    { "Hour": 21, "Color": "#050e23ff" }
  ],
  "SkySunsetColors": [
    { "Hour": 3, "Color": "#e32c4e00" },
    { "Hour": 5, "Color": "#ff5e43ff" },
    { "Hour": 7, "Color": "#ffb95100" },
    { "Hour": 17, "Color": "#ffb95100" },
    { "Hour": 19, "Color": "#ff5e43ff" },
    { "Hour": 21, "Color": "#e32c4e00" }
  ],
  "FogDistance": [-96, 1024]
}

Key characteristics:

• Tags identify weather type for environment matching
• Clear skies with blue gradients during day
• Sunset colors at dawn (5-7) and dusk (17-21)
• Long fog distance (1024) for good visibility

Rain Weather

Zone1_Rain.json

{
  "Tags": {
    "Zone1": [],
    "Rain": ["Moderate"]
  },
  "Particle": {
    "SystemId": "Rain",
    "OvergroundOnly": true
  },
  "Clouds": [
    {
      "Texture": "Sky/Clouds/Rain_Light_Highlights.png",
      "Colors": [
        { "Hour": 7, "Color": "rgba(#bad8e1, 0.401)" },
        { "Hour": 17, "Color": "rgba(#bad8e1, 0.65)" }
      ],
      "Speeds": [{ "Hour": 0, "Value": 0.7 }]
    },
    {
      "Texture": "Sky/Clouds/Rain_Light_Base.png",
      "Colors": [
        { "Hour": 7, "Color": "rgba(#385164, 0.776)" }
      ],
      "Speeds": [{ "Hour": 0, "Value": 0.7 }]
    }
  ],
  "FogDensities": [
    { "Hour": 0, "Value": 0.2 }
  ],
  "FogHeightFalloffs": [
    { "Hour": 0, "Value": 4 }
  ]
}

Key characteristics:

• Rain particle system attached
• Darker cloud textures for overcast look
• Increased fog density (0.2) for atmosphere
• OvergroundOnly prevents rain underground

Storm Weather

Zone1_Storm.json

{
  "Tags": {
    "Zone1": [],
    "Rain": ["Storm"]
  },
  "Particle": {
    "SystemId": "Rain_Heavy",
    "OvergroundOnly": true
  },
  "Clouds": [
    {
      "Texture": "Sky/Clouds/Rain_Heavy_Base.png",
      "Colors": [
        { "Hour": 7, "Color": "rgba(#020000, 1)" }
      ],
      "Speeds": [{ "Hour": 0, "Value": 1 }]
    }
  ],
  "FogDensities": [
    { "Hour": 0, "Value": 0.75 }
  ],
  "SunlightColors": [
    { "Hour": 3, "Color": "#3c3c3c" },
    { "Hour": 5, "Color": "#e1e1e1" },
    { "Hour": 19, "Color": "#e1e1e1" },
    { "Hour": 21, "Color": "#4c4c4c" }
  ]
}

Key characteristics:

• Heavy rain particles for storm effect
• Dark clouds blocking most light
• High fog density (0.75) for reduced visibility
• Faster cloud speed (1.0) for wind effect
• Muted sunlight colors for overcast lighting

Snow Weather (Zone 3)

Zone3_Snow.json

{
  "Tags": {
    "Zone3": [],
    "Snow": ["Moderate"]
  },
  "Particle": {
    "SystemId": "Snow_Light",
    "OvergroundOnly": true
  },
  "Clouds": [
    {
      "Texture": "Sky/Clouds/Fluffy_Base.png",
      "Colors": [
        { "Hour": 7, "Color": "rgba(#e9edf1, 1)" },
        { "Hour": 17, "Color": "rgba(#e9edf1, 1)" }
      ],
      "Speeds": [{ "Hour": 0, "Value": 1 }]
    }
  ],
  "FogColors": [
    { "Hour": 7, "Color": "#cad8f4" },
    { "Hour": 17, "Color": "#cad8f4" }
  ],
  "FogDensities": [
    { "Hour": 0, "Value": 0.4 }
  ]
}

Key characteristics:

• Snow particle system for snowfall
• Cool-toned fog colors for cold atmosphere
• Fluffy clouds texture for winter sky
• Moderate fog density for snowy haze

Cave Weather

Cave_Shallow.json

{
  "Stars": "Sky/Stars.png",
  "SkyTopColors": [
    { "Hour": 7, "Color": "rgba(#4291bd, 1)" },
    { "Hour": 19, "Color": "rgba(#4291bd, 1)" },
    { "Hour": 5, "Color": "rgba(#000000, 1)" },
    { "Hour": 21, "Color": "rgba(#030000, 1)" }
  ],
  "FogDistance": [-128, 128],
  "FogColors": [
    { "Hour": 7, "Color": "#8e917b" }
  ],
  "Clouds": [
    {
      "Texture": "Sky/Clouds/Light_Base.png",
      "Speeds": [{ "Hour": 0, "Value": 0 }]
    }
  ]
}

Key characteristics:

• No particle effects (no rain/snow underground)
• Short fog distance (128) for enclosed feeling
• Static clouds (speed 0) - no wind movement
• Consistent lighting regardless of time

Weather Categories

Zone 1 (Plains/Emerald Grove)

Weather	Description
Zone1_Sunny	Clear blue skies
Zone1_Cloudy_Medium	Overcast conditions
Zone1_Foggy_Light	Morning fog
Zone1_Rain_Light	Light drizzle
Zone1_Rain	Moderate rain
Zone1_Storm	Heavy thunderstorm
Zone1_Swamp	Murky swamp atmosphere
Zone1_Swamp_Foggy	Dense swamp fog
Zone1_Azurewood_Fireflies	Magical forest at night
Zone1_Sunny_Fireflies	Night with fireflies

Zone 2 (Desert/Howling Sands)

Weather	Description
Zone2_Sunny	Hot desert sun
Zone2_Blazing_Light	Intense heat
Zone2_Cloudy_Light	Light cloud cover
Zone2_Desert_Haze	Heat shimmer
Zone2_Sand_Storm	Sandstorm conditions
Zone2_Thunder_Storm	Desert thunderstorm
Zone2_Corrupted_Oasis	Corrupted water area

Zone 3 (Taiga/Borea)

Weather	Description
Zone3_Cloudy_Light	Overcast cold
Zone3_Cloudy_Medium	Heavy clouds
Zone3_Cloudy_Boreal	Northern atmosphere
Zone3_Snow	Moderate snowfall
Zone3_Snow_Heavy	Heavy snowfall
Zone3_Snow_Storm	Blizzard
Zone3_Rain	Cold rain
Zone3_Northern_Lights	Aurora borealis
Zone3_Hedera	Hedera biome weather

Zone 4 (Devastated Lands)

Weather	Description
Zone4_Light	Basic visibility
Zone4_Wastes	Wasteland atmosphere
Zone4_Wastes_Rain	Acid rain
Zone4_AshWastes	Ash-filled air
Zone4_AshWastes_Storm	Ash storm
Zone4_Lava_Fields	Volcanic area
Zone4_GhostForest	Haunted forest
Zone4_Spooky	Eerie atmosphere
Zone4_Storm	Corrupted storm

Special Weather

Weather	Description
Blood_Moon	Red moon event
Void	Void dimension
Forgotten_Temple	Temple interior
Portals_Void_Event_Light	Portal event (light)
Portals_Void_Event_Intense	Portal event (intense)

Creating Custom Weather

MyPlugin_Weather_Custom.json

{
  "Tags": {
    "MyPlugin": ["Custom"],
    "Zone1": ["Special"]
  },
  "Stars": "Sky/Stars.png",
  "Moons": [
    { "Day": 0, "Texture": "Sky/MoonCycle/Moon_Full.png" }
  ],
  "Clouds": [
    {
      "Texture": "Sky/Clouds/Light_Base.png",
      "Colors": [
        { "Hour": 7, "Color": "#d0e8ffff" },
        { "Hour": 17, "Color": "#d0e8ffff" }
      ],
      "Speeds": [{ "Hour": 0, "Value": 0.5 }]
    }
  ],
  "SkyTopColors": [
    { "Hour": 7, "Color": "#4488ccff" },
    { "Hour": 21, "Color": "#000022ff" }
  ],
  "FogColors": [
    { "Hour": 7, "Color": "#aaccff" }
  ],
  "FogDistance": [-96, 512],
  "Particle": {
    "SystemId": "Rain_Light",
    "OvergroundOnly": true
  }
}

Best Practices

1. Use consistent hour keyframes - Dawn (5-7), day (7-17), dusk (17-21), night (21-5)
2. Layer clouds properly - Base layer first, highlights on top
3. Match fog to sky - Fog color should complement sky bottom
4. Consider gameplay - Heavy fog reduces visibility significantly
5. Test time transitions - Ensure smooth color interpolation
6. Use appropriate particles - Match particle intensity to weather type

Related

• Environments - Environment configuration
• Particle Systems - Particle effects
• Audio Effects - Weather audio (reverb)