atmosphere.md

title	Atmospheric effects
description	Atmospheric effects simulate realistic environments by scattering sunlight in unique ways.

Atmospheric effects simulate realistic environments by scattering sunlight in unique ways based on properties that control air particles. Using the Class.Atmosphere object, you can:

• Control particle density.
• Create a silhouette or blend distant objects with an offset.
• Simulate a haze or glare.
• Set an atmosphere's color or decay.

Atmosphere properties

Every property of the Class.Atmosphere object inside the Class.Lighting service works together to support the overall vision, themes, and mood of your experience.

Density

The Class.Atmosphere.Density|Density property controls how many particles exist in the air of your experience; the higher the density, the more particles, which obstruct a player's view of objects and terrain.

Density only **directly** affects objects and terrain; however, since you view a [skybox](../environment/skybox.md) through those objects and terrain, the visibility of a skybox is also affected.

Offset

The Class.Atmosphere.Offset|Offset property controls how light transmits between the camera and the sky background. When you increase this value, it creates a horizon silhouette; when you decrease this value, it blends distant objects into the sky for a seemingly endless and seamless open world.

Carefully balance the `Class.Atmosphere.Offset|Offset` property with the `Class.Atmosphere.Density|Density` property. A low offset value may cause the [skybox](../environment/skybox.md) to be seen through objects and terrain, and a high offset value may cause distant objects and terrain to have too much detail for your desired lighting effect.

Haze

The Class.Atmosphere.Haze|Haze property controls the haziness of the atmosphere to create a visible effect both above the horizon and far into the distance from the camera. To create environmental moods, like a smoky tint for a polluted alien planet or a foggy blue tint for a somber experience, combine this property with the Color property.

Color

The Class.Atmosphere.Color|Color property sets the hue of the atmosphere for subtle environmental moods and themes. To expand this property's visible effect, combine it with a high Haze property value.

Glare

The Class.Atmosphere.Glare|Glare property sets an atmospheric glare around the sun. A high value results in an increased effect of sunlight cast onto the sky and experience. To see this property's visible effect, you must combine a glare with a Haze value higher than 0.

Decay

The Class.Atmosphere.Decay|Decay property sets the hue of the atmosphere away from the sun, gradually falling off from Color toward this value. To see this property's visible effect, you must combine a glare with Haze and Glare values higher than 0.