Space Engineers How to Change Color of Lights

In Space Engineers, customizing light colors is easy once you know where to start. This guide walks you through every step—from selecting the right block to adjusting RGB values for perfect hues. Whether you’re building a sleek spaceship or a cozy base, you’ll learn how to make your lights match your vision.

Changing the color of lights in Space Engineers isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a powerful way to express your creativity, improve navigation, or even signal different areas of your ship or station. Imagine walking into your newly built habitat and seeing soft blue ambient lighting in the living quarters, pulsing red in the engine room, and warm white in the cockpit. With a few simple steps, you can turn your construction dreams into reality.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know—whether you’re a beginner who’s never touched a programmable block or an experienced builder looking to refine your lighting setup. You’ll learn how to use both manual methods (like terminal commands) and automated systems (via scripts), plus troubleshooting tips to keep your lights shining bright.

By the end, you’ll be able to customize every light on your grid with precision, turning ordinary builds into visually stunning masterpieces.

Understanding Light Types in Space Engineers

Before diving into color changes, it’s important to understand the types of lights available in Space Engineers. Not all lights behave the same way when it comes to customization.

There are two main categories: **Static Lights** and **Programmable Lights**.

Static Lights are the default point lights found in most blocks. They come in standard sizes and can be placed anywhere. However, their color is fixed unless modified through external means—like scripts or mods.

Programmable Lights are created by attaching a Programmable Block to a static light source. Once connected, they allow dynamic color changes via scripting.

Additionally, there are Large Grids and Small Grids. Most lighting techniques work on both, but large grids often have more complex power and script requirements due to higher resource usage.

Knowing which type you’re working with helps determine your approach. If you only need occasional color swaps, terminal commands may suffice. But for full automation—like mood lighting that shifts based on time or player activity—scripts are essential.

Gathering Your Tools

To change light colors effectively, you’ll need a few key items:

– A Static Light Source: Found in the Construction menu under “Lights.”
– A Programmable Block: Also in the Construction menu.
– Access to a Terminal or Computer Screen for inputting commands.
– Optional: Mods if you want extra features (we’ll cover those later).

Start by placing your light where desired. Then, place a programmable block nearby—ideally within connection range (usually adjacent or linked via connectors). Connect them using a cable or weld them together if needed.

Once set up, open the programmable block’s interface to begin coding. Don’t worry—no prior programming knowledge is required! The syntax is simple and forgiving.

Changing Light Color Using Terminal Commands

The fastest way to change a single light’s color is through the terminal. This method works best for one-off adjustments during construction.

Step 1: Select the Light

Click on the light you want to modify. In the top-left corner of your screen, you’ll see details about the selected object, including its ID.

Step 2: Open the Terminal

Press T to bring up the terminal window. Alternatively, interact with any computer terminal on your grid.

Step 3: Enter the Command

Type the following format:

/setlightcolor [ID] R G B

Replace `[ID]` with the actual ID number shown when you click the light. `R`, `G`, and `B` are numbers between 0 and 1 representing intensity of each color channel.

For example, to make a light pure red:

/setlightcolor 5 1 0 0

This sets red to maximum (1), green and blue to zero.

You can mix colors too:
– Yellow: /setlightcolor 5 1 1 0
– Purple: /setlightcolor 5 0.5 0 1
– Soft White: /setlightcolor 5 0.8 0.8 0.8

Try experimenting! Each value adjusts brightness—so even low values can produce subtle effects.

Using Scripts to Change Light Colors Automatically

For repeated or automated color changes, scripts are the way to go. This allows lights to respond to conditions like time of day, proximity sensors, or even music playback.

Step 1: Create a New Script

Open your programmable block. Click “New” to create a blank script. Name it something like “LightController.”

Step 2: Write the Basic Script

Paste this code into the editor:
“`csharp
void Main()
{
IMyProgrammableBlock pb = this;
List lights = new List();

GridTerminalSystem.GetBlocksOfType(lights,
blk => blk.CubeGrid