Hello, new Godot user here,

I have been trying to change the texture of a MeshInstance3D Node using script. When I add the texture using the inspector (by adding it to the albedo section of Surface Material Override) it shows up correctly, but I cannot get the texture to show up using a script instead.
I am using the MeshInstance3D as a background and a want to be able to change the background texture from an in-game menu (which is why I am trying to use a script and not the inspector).

Here is what I have so far:

extends MeshInstance3D

var material1 = preload("res://CC0 - Textures (Main Texture)/texture1_diff_4k.jpg")
var material2 = preload("res://CC0 - Textures (Main Texture)/texture2_diff_4k.jpg")

func _ready():
self.set_surface_override_material(0, material1)

So far all it does is change the background to a slightly darker shade of white.

Thank you for your help.

  • Hi haoushokuhaki37,

    The issue is that set_surface_override expects you to pass it a Material, but you're using preload() to create a Texture. (In the editor it's fine, because Godot will automatically create a Material for you when you drag the .jpg file into the Surface Material Override box.)

    To create a material and add the texture to it, try changing the body of _ready() to:

    var actualMaterial = StandardMaterial3D.new()  # creates a new material
actualMaterial.albedo_texture = material1  # assigns the texture to the new material
self.set_surface_override_material(0, actualMaterial)  # applies the material to the MeshInstance3D

Hi haoushokuhaki37,

The issue is that set_surface_override expects you to pass it a Material, but you're using preload() to create a Texture. (In the editor it's fine, because Godot will automatically create a Material for you when you drag the .jpg file into the Surface Material Override box.)

To create a material and add the texture to it, try changing the body of _ready() to:

var actualMaterial = StandardMaterial3D.new()  # creates a new material
actualMaterial.albedo_texture = material1  # assigns the texture to the new material
self.set_surface_override_material(0, actualMaterial)  # applies the material to the MeshInstance3D

Thank you very much,

I changed the body of _ready() to:

var actualMaterial = StandardMaterial3D.new()
actualMaterial.albedo_texture = material1
self.set_surface_override_material(0, actualMaterial)

Now the texture is showing up as intended.