Game Asset Generator Skill

Overview

This skill generates game-ready assets (3D models, Gaussian Splat environments, 2D sprites, images/textures) using AI APIs and free asset sources. It follows a three-phase workflow: DETECT the asset type -> GENERATE via the appropriate API or source -> INTEGRATE into the game. Only the relevant reference is loaded per task -- do not load all references upfront.

Scope: Use for AI-generated 3D models, world environments, pixel art sprites, concept art, textures, and sourcing free pre-built assets. Do NOT use for game engine scripting, physics, game loop logic, or shader authoring (use threejs-builder for scene integration after asset generation).

Phase 1: DETECT

Goal: Identify the asset type from the request and load the single corresponding reference.

Step 1: Classify the request

If the request is ambiguous between 3D Model and Image, ask: "Do you need a 3D mesh (GLB file for a Three.js scene) or a 2D image/texture?"

Step 2: Check API key availability

Before calling any paid API, verify the required key exists:

grep -E "MESHY_API_KEY|WLT_API_KEY|FAL_KEY" ~/.env 2>/dev/null

If the required key is missing, the fallback chain applies -- load references/asset-sources.md alongside the primary reference.

Fallback chain: Meshy API -> Sketchfab search -> Poly Haven -> Poly.pizza -> BoxGeometry placeholder. All sources output GLB into the same path so game loading code does not change.

Gate: Asset type identified, relevant reference loaded. Proceed to Phase 2 only when gate passes.

Phase 2: GENERATE

Goal: Call the API or source to produce the asset. Follow the loaded reference exactly -- it is the authoritative guide for its API.

Core constraints (all asset types):

• Download immediately -- Meshy retains assets only 3 days; World Labs SPZ files expire similarly. Never assume a URL will be valid tomorrow.
• Output to a stable path -- write assets to public/assets/ or an equivalent game-accessible directory so integration code does not need path changes per asset.
• Save the .meta.json sidecar -- every generated asset gets a .meta.json recording the prompt, model, generation timestamp, and asset ID. Required for regeneration and auditing.
• Validate the output file -- after download, confirm file size > 0 and extension matches expected type (GLB, SPZ, PNG, etc.) before proceeding.

Per-type generation summary (read the reference for full API details):

3D Model (Meshy): Two-step pipeline -- preview (fast, low quality, confirms prompt works) -> refine (full quality). Auto-rig only for humanoids meeting all criteria: bipedal, textured, clearly defined limbs. Animate rigged models with walk/run/idle presets. Post-process with scripts/optimize-glb.mjs for 80-95% size reduction before integration.

Environment (World Labs): Upload reference image (preferred over text-only) -> poll 3-8 minutes -> download SPZ + GLB collider + panorama JPG. Y-axis flip (rotation.x = Math.PI) required after loading into Three.js scene.

2D Sprite (code-only): Canvas-based generation -- no API call. Load references/pixel-art-sprites.md and generate sprites from the palette and matrix system defined there. Works without any API key.

Image / Texture (fal.ai): Queue-based API -- submit job -> poll for result. Choose model endpoint based on need (GPT Image 1.5 for transparency, Nano Banana 2 for speed). Use #00FF00 chroma-key background when the asset needs transparency extraction.

Gate: Asset file downloaded and validated (size > 0, correct extension). .meta.json saved. Proceed to Phase 3 only when gate passes.

Phase 3: INTEGRATE

Goal: Load the generated asset into the game scene correctly.

Core constraint: Use SkeletonUtils.clone() -- never .clone() -- for animated models. Regular .clone() breaks skeleton bindings and leaves the model in a permanent T-pose. This is the single most common integration failure with rigged GLBs.

import { SkeletonUtils } from 'three/addons/utils/SkeletonUtils.js';

// Load once, clone for each instance
loader.load('/assets/character.glb', (gltf) => {
  const instance = SkeletonUtils.clone(gltf.scene);
  scene.add(instance);
});

GLB loading (Three.js):

import { GLTFLoader } from 'three/addons/loaders/GLTFLoader.js';
import { DRACOLoader } from 'three/addons/loaders/DRACOLoader.js';

const dracoLoader = new DRACOLoader();
dracoLoader.setDecoderPath('https://www.gstatic.com/draco/versioned/decoders/1.5.6/');

const loader = new GLTFLoader();
loader.setDRACOLoader(dracoLoader); // Required for Draco-compressed GLBs from Meshy optimizer
loader.load('/assets/model.glb', (gltf) => {
  const model = gltf.scene;
  const box = new THREE.Box3().setFromObject(model);
  const center = box.getCenter(new THREE.Vector3());
  model.position.sub(center);
  scene.add(model);
});

Gaussian Splat (World Labs) -- see references/worldlabs.md for the @sparkjsdev/spark SplatMesh integration. The Y-axis flip and raycast direction inversion are required, not optional.

Animation playback:

const mixer = new THREE.AnimationMixer(model);
const action = mixer.clipAction(gltf.animations[0]); // walk/run/idle from Meshy
action.play();

// In animation loop:
mixer.update(deltaTime);

Gate: Asset visible in scene. No console errors. Animations play if applicable.

Error Handling

Error: "GLB loads but model is in T-pose"

Cause: Used .clone() instead of SkeletonUtils.clone() on a rigged model. Solution: Replace gltf.scene.clone() with SkeletonUtils.clone(gltf.scene). Import from three/addons/utils/SkeletonUtils.js.

Error: "Meshy task stuck in PENDING"

Cause: API key invalid, quota exceeded, or Meshy service issue. Solution:

1. Verify MESHY_API_KEY is set in ~/.env and the value is current
2. Check quota at app.meshy.ai
3. If quota exhausted, fall through to references/asset-sources.md fallback chain
4. Use status mode: node scripts/meshy-generate.mjs status <task_id>

Error: "Downloaded GLB is 0 bytes or corrupt"

Cause: URL expired (Meshy 3-day limit) or network error during download. Solution: Regenerate -- do not attempt to repair a corrupt GLB. Resubmit using the prompt saved in .meta.json.

Error: "Gaussian Splat renders but objects fall through floor"

Cause: Raycast direction inverted after Y-axis flip on the SplatMesh. Solution: Load references/worldlabs.md -- the fix is in the raycast inversion section.

Error: "fal.ai request returns 401"

Cause: FAL_KEY missing or incorrectly formatted. fal.ai uses Key $FAL_KEY format (not Bearer). Solution: Confirm FAL_KEY is in ~/.env. Authorization header must be Key <your-key> -- not Bearer <your-key>.

Error: "gltf-transform command not found"

Cause: @gltf-transform/cli not installed globally. Solution: npm install -g @gltf-transform/cli

References