A planet creator for Outer Wilds.

Planets are created using a JSON file format structure, and placed in the planets folder.

There is an example planet bundled with the mod - change some values and see what happens!

• Creating a planet file
• Using Marshmallow from other mods
• Submit bugs / Chat about life
• Credits

Creating a planet file :

This list will update as more options are added. Here is an example of a file :

{
	"name" : "Gallifrey",
	"position" : {
		"x" : 0,
		"y" : 0,
		"z" : 10000
	},
	"orbitAngle" : 45,
	"primaryBody" : "SUN",
	"isMoon" : false,
	"hasSpawnPoint" : true,
	"hasClouds" : true,
	"topCloudSize" : 650,
	"bottomCloudSize" : 600,
	"bottomCloudTint" : 
	{
		"r" : 255,
		"g" : 0,
		"b" : 0,
		"a" : 128
	},
	"topCloudTint" : 
	{
		"r" : 255,
		"g" : 0,
		"b" : 0,
		"a" : 128
	},
	"hasWater" : true,
	"waterSize" : 401,
	"hasRain" : true,
	"hasGravity" : true,
	"surfaceAcceleration" : 12,
	"hasMapMarker" : true,
	"hasFog" : true,
	"fogTint" : 
	{
		"r" : 255,
		"g" : 100,
		"b" : 0,
		"a" : 128
	},
	"fogDensity" : 0.75,
	"groundSize" : 400
}

Everything in "Required" is always needed, and so is every tabbed line in an option.

Required :

• name - The name of the planet.
• position - The Vector3 positon of the planet in world space.
• orbitAngle - The angle of the orbit.
• primaryBody - The AstroObject ID of the body this planet orbits.
• isMoon - Is the body a moon or not a moon (a planet)?

Optional :

• hasGround - Set to "true" if you want to have a sphere as a ground.
  • groundSize - The size of the ground sphere.
• hasClouds - Set to "true" if you want Giant's Deep-type clouds.
  • topCloudSize - The size of the outer sphere of the clouds.
  • bottomCloudSize - The size of the bumpy clouds underneath the top. (Check that the bottom clouds are not poking through the top!)
  • topCloudTint - The color of the top clouds.
  • bottomCloudTint - The color of the bottom clouds.
• hasWater - Set to "true" if you want water.
  • waterSize - Size of the water sphere.
• hasRain - Set to "true" if you want it to be raining.
• hasGravity - Set to "true" if you want gravity.
  • surfaceAcceleration - Strength of gravity.
• hasMapMarker - Set to "true" if you want the planet name on the map.
• hasFog - Set to "true" if you want fog.
  • fogTint - The color of the fog.
  • fogDensity - The thickness of the fog. [0-1]

Using Marshmallow from other mods :

Marshmallow uses the fancy API system provided by OWML to allow other mods to communicate with it. As this system is currently still being worked on (by me :P), the way the Marshmallow API is used is slightly more annoying than when the system will be finished.

To use the API, first define this interface in your mod.

public interface IMarshmallow
{
    void Create(Dictionary<string, object> config);
    
    GameObject GetPlanet(string name);
}

Then, you need to find the Marshmallow API. This can be done using the interaction helpers of OWML.

var marshmallowApi = ModHelper.Interaction.GetApi<IMarshmallow>("misternebula.Marshmallow");

Make sure that Marshmallow is defined as a dependency! This will prevent any load-order issues from occuring. Next, we need to generate the dictionary of config options. To save time, you can copy this definition and just change the values.

var configDict = new Dictionary<string, object>
                {
                    { "name", "Test Planet" },
                    { "position", new Vector3(0, 0, 3000) },
                    { "orbitAngle", 0 },
                    { "primaryBody", "SUN" },
		    { "isMoon" : false },
                    { "hasSpawnPoint", true },
                    { "hasGround", true },
                    { "groundSize", 400f },
                    { "hasClouds", true },
                    { "topCloudSize", 650f },
                    { "bottomCloudSize", 600f },
                    { "topCloudTint", new Color32(255, 0, 0, 128) },
                    { "bottomCloudTint", new Color32(255, 0, 0, 128) },
                    { "hasWater", true },
                    { "waterSize", 401f },
                    { "hasRain", true },
                    { "hasGravity", true },
                    { "surfaceAcceleration", 12f },
                    { "hasMapMarker", true },
                    { "hasFog", true },
                    { "fogTint", new Color32(255, 0, 0, 128) },
                    { "fogDensity", 0.5f },
                };

Then, you just call the Create method in the API!

marshmallowApi.Create(configDict);

Submit bugs / Chat about life :

Did you know we have a nice Outer Wilds discord? Drop by to submit bugs, ask questions, and chat about whatever. Join us modding folk in the #modding channel!

Credits :

Written by Mister_Nebula

With help from :

• TAImatem
• AmazingAlek
• Raicuparta
• and the Outer Wilds discord server.