/godot-3d-lighting

Migration notes: godot-3d-lighting

Incremental upgrade for topics this skill covers. Apply one hop, stabilize/test, then next. Never skip hops.

If the project is < 4.0, follow godot-version-migration era bridges (legacy → 3→4) until 4.0, then these hops. Official 3→4: Upgrading from Godot 3 to Godot 4.

3.x → 4.0

Official: Upgrading from Godot 3 to Godot 4

• GIProbe → VoxelGI; BakedLightmap → LightmapGI (re-bake).
• PanoramaSky/ProceduralSky → Sky.
• SpatialMaterial → StandardMaterial3D.
• Environment effect quality → project settings; keep visual toggles on Environment.

4.0 → 4.1

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.1

• RenderingServer.global_shader_parameter_get_list / RD shader version lists return Array[StringName].
• RenderingDevice.draw_list_begin storage_textures typed as Array[RID].
• Node3D.look_at / look_at_from_position gain use_model_front — retarget spot/area light rigs that used -Z forward assumptions.

4.1 → 4.2

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.2

• Mesh format upgrade — use Project → Tools → Upgrade Mesh Surfaces; Restart & Upgrade prevents downgrade (re-import meshes that receive baked lighting).
• ImporterMesh/MeshDataTool/SurfaceTool compression flag widths → uint64.
• RenderingDevice BarrierMask enum values changed.

4.2 → 4.3

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.3

• Reverse Z depth — update custom lighting/shadow shaders and depth-based effects (see Introducing Reverse Z article).
• Decal modulate converted sRGB→linear — retune projector/decal tints in lit scenes.
• RenderingDevice barrier/draw_list API simplified (post_barrier params removed).

4.3 → 4.4

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.4

• RenderingDevice.draw_list_begin signature overhauled (params removed + breadcrumb).
• Shader default texture parameter types use Texture / TextureLayered — affects light cookie and IES texture slots.

4.4 → 4.5

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.5

• RenderingServer.instance_reset_physics_interpolation / instance_set_interpolated removed.

4.5 → 4.6

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.6

• Glow default blend Screen (brighter) — retune Environment glow; Mobile glow rewrite looks different.
• Volumetric fog blending brighter — reduce density/energy in fog-heavy lighting setups.
• New Windows projects default D3D12 driver — verify Forward+/Mobile lighting parity after backend change.
• Sky reflection roughness_layers default 7 (was 8).

4.6 → 4.7

Official: Upgrading to Godot 4.7

• Prefer AreaLight3D for rectangular soft lights — correct falloff and shadow softness vs emissive-material workarounds.
• HDR output supported on major platforms — enable in Project Settings → Rendering → Viewport for a true HDR display chain.
• Texture2D.get_format() unified on base class (ImageTexture/PortableCompressedTexture2D).
• LinearToSRGB visual shader no longer clamps [0,1] on Mobile/Forward+ — rebalance tonemapped emissive looks.
• Image.save_exr* gain color_image / max_linear_value optionals for HDR light-map export.
• NEVER rely on emissive-only panels when AreaLight3D gives physically correct rectangular lighting in Forward+.