Create a Generative AI Galaxy with Blockade Labs Skybox AI and Spline

Creating immersive 3D scenes has never been easier with help from some amazing tools currently available.  In this guide we're going to share a walkthrough of how to make a fully generative AI texture Galaxy scene in web-based 3D design tool Spline and Generative-AI 360* panorama generator Skybox AI.

Blockade Labs' skyboxes provide a seamless solution for adding depth, texture, and atmosphere to any 3D project in Spline, making it ideal for interactive web designs, virtual showcases, and product visualizations. In this guide, we’ll explore how to use Blockade Labs’ skyboxes in Spline 3D to elevate your designs and bring your creative visions to life.

Why are Skybox AI and Spline a wining combo?

Using Blockade Labs' skyboxes in Spline 3D enhances 3D scenes with realism, atmosphere, and depth. Here’s why creators choose this integration:

• Instant Realism and Mood: Adds immersive environments without complex modeling.
• Enhanced Lighting and Reflections: Skyboxes create cohesive visuals, ideal for showcasing products and designs.
• Interactive Experiences: Supports engaging, immersive projects like virtual tours and product showcases.
• Efficient Customization: AI-generated skyboxes allow rapid, tailored design.
• Seamless Integration: Perfect for web and mobile, making 3D scenes visually engaging and memorable.

What is the brief?

We're going to create a mini fictional Earth-like planet and moon with a stunning galaxy backdrop featured in this project.

Step 1: Generate or Select a Skybox in Blockade Labs

The first step here is to use Skybox Ai to create suitable imagery for use in our Spline Project.

1. Log into your Blockade Labs account and access the Skybox AI tool.
2. Create or browse existing skyboxes. You can generate a custom skybox using prompts or select one from the available explore gallery.
3. Once satisfied, download the skybox in a format compatible with Spline, typically as a JPEG or PNG file

Here are a couple of tips for this step:

There is a great nebula skybox in Explore that you can use to get started here.

For textures of planets you can drag and drop existing spherical image maps of both Earth and the Moon into Skybox AI and Remix My Image these to get a very consistent result for use in your Spline project.  I found the M3 Playground Style offers the most flexibility in creating these maps.

Here are the textures I created in Skybox AI with links and usage descriptions:

• Planet
• Moon
• Galaxy

Feel free to Remix the images above to create images for your own projects.

Step 2: Preparing the scene in Spline

 

Skybox

Open Spline 3D and start a new project using the "Planet" project template

Consider making the following configuration changes:

• Create a Sphere and label this "Skybox". 
• Consider locking the Scale by clicking the padlock icon and setting all axis to 24.
• Set Visibility settings for "Sides" to "Back"
• Set "Receive Shadows" and "Cast Shadows" to No.
• Add an image material to the Sphere

Click on the new image material and upload you galaxy image created in Skybox AI.

Adjust the rotation of the sphere to recompose your galaxy background.

Pro tip: Don't forget to reorder your image layer so it sits at the top of the order and appears visible in the viewer.

 

Planet

Now it's time to retexture the Earth to our new fictitious version generated in Skybox AI.

• Label the remaining Sphere to "Planet". 
• Replace the last Image material layer with an uploaded Skybox AI planet texture replacing the original Earth image texture

Moon

Create a small sphere and rename it to "Moon"

Move the position of the new sphere into the orbit of our original planet

Create a Image Material and upload the Moon texture created in Skybox AI.

Step 3: Add finishing touches

At this point we've accomplished the objective of the initial brief and creative license can be applied with object animation being applied as well as other objects.  Is this scene missing a rocket?

You can find this project on the Spline community here.

What next?

This process lets you quickly build immersive scenes by integrating Blockade Labs’ dynamic skyboxes into Spline 3D, helping you bring a realistic and interactive depth to your 3D projects.

Hopefully this tutorial has demonstrated the power that Skybox AI has in producing context for ever more immersive experiences created in the incredibly versatile Spline application.

A backdrop to your pirate ship model or client product visualization maybe?

Feel free to let us know in the Blockade Labs Discord.