How to Add a Custom Skybox

A skybox defines the background and lighting mood of a Unity scene. To add a custom skybox, create a Material and change its Shader to Skybox.

Steps:

1. Right-click in Project → Create → Material
2. Select the material → Shader → Skybox
3. Choose one of the four skybox types below
4. Assign it via Window → Rendering → Lighting → Skybox Material

Skybox Types in Unity

6 Sided Skybox

Uses six square images (Front, Back, Left, Right, Up, Down) that form a cube around the scene. Best for: Handcrafted or stylized environments

Cubemap Skybox

Uses a cubemap texture (six merged square faces). Common in HDR workflows and reflection probes. Best for: Realistic lighting and reflections

Panoramic Skybox

Uses a single 360° panoramic image (usually equirectangular 2:1). Best for: Real-world scenes, VR, fast setup

Procedural Skybox

Generated by Unity using parameters like sun size and atmosphere — no textures required. Best for: Prototyping and dynamic skies (most commonly used)