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Clouds

The Clouds tab manages TrueSKY cloud layers, including per-layer shape, density, and placement controls. Each layer is a real object you can hide in viewport or render, and all layers share consistent presets.

Where to Find It

  • Open the 3D Viewport N-panel.
  • Go to True-VFX -> TrueSKY 3.
  • Click the Clouds tab at the top of the main panel.

You will get the most out of this tab once a primary body and luminous lighting are already in place.

Cloud setup basics

You do not need a full primary body to add clouds. If no primary body exists, TrueSKY creates a minimal one so cloud layers can still render.

Panel Layout

  • Cloud Layers list showing each layer, with visibility toggles for viewport and render.
  • Add / Remove buttons next to the list.
  • Multi-layer preset picker under the list for saving or loading cloud stacks.
  • Active Layer Settings header with a single-layer preset picker.
  • Per-layer controls for the selected layer.

Active Layer Settings

These controls target the selected layer only.

Core Controls

  • Volume Density: Overall opacity and thickness of the layer.
  • Altitude: Base height of the layer above the primary body.
  • Depth / Depth Factor: Thickness of the layer (see toggle below).
  • Use the Depth Factor toggle to switch between real units and relative depth between the surface and the height of the atmosphere.
  • Seed: Randomizes the cloud shape and placement.

:material-pan-tool:

Want to adjust layer height in the viewport? Use the Scene Builder tool and its Cloud Panel gizmo for direct altitude and depth dragging. See Cloud Panel.

Shape

  • Cloud Coverage: How much sky is filled.
  • Cloud Amount: Overall mass or clustering of the layer.

Enhanced Godrays

  • Toggle Enhanced Godrays for stronger shaft definition.
  • Adjust Intensity to control the strength.

Rainbow Effect

  • Toggle Rainbow Effect for prismatic highlights.
  • Rainbow Coverage and Rainbow Density control size and strength.

Cloud Growth

  • Formation X / Formation Y shift the growth pattern across the sky.

Translate

  • X Axis / Y Axis offsets the layer position.

Advanced Shape

  • Detail, Roughness, Lacunarity, Distortion refine the noise texture.
  • Top of Cloud Noise Offset and Bottom of Cloud Noise Offset let you shape the layer differently at the top vs bottom.

Presets

  • Single-layer presets live in the Active Layer Settings header.
  • Multi-layer presets save or load entire stacks (all layers at once).
  • Add Cloud Layer opens a preset picker so you can start with a look instead of a blank layer.

New core presets include Cirrus, Cumulus, Stratus, and Altostratus.

Typical Workflows

  • Adding a basic layer
  • Click Add Cloud Layer and pick a preset.
  • Set Altitude for the cloud type (low, mid, high).

  • Balance Volume Density and Cloud Coverage.

  • Stacking layers

  • Add a low cloud layer and a high haze or cirrus layer.

  • Keep higher layers thinner and less dense.

  • Balancing look and performance

  • Use Performance -> Volumes to adjust per-layer quality sliders.
  • Lower quality during look-dev, raise it for finals.

Tips

  • Start with one layer and dial it in before adding more.
  • Use Seed for quick variations without changing your lighting setup.
  • Cloud appearance depends on lighting and atmosphere; revisit Luminous and Primary after major changes.