# init(name:channelEncoding:textureDimensions:turbidity:sunElevation:upperAtmosphereScattering:groundAlbedo:) Initializes a sky cube texture object with the specified parameters. ``` init(name: String?, channelEncoding: MDLTextureChannelEncoding, textureDimensions: vector_int2, turbidity: Float, sunElevation: Float, upperAtmosphereScattering: Float, groundAlbedo: Float) ``` ## Parameters `name` The [`name`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLNamed/name) property for the new texture object. `channelEncoding` The data format for each channel value per texel—for example, 8-bit integer or 32-bit floating point. For possible values, see [`MDLTextureChannelEncoding`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLTextureChannelEncoding). `textureDimensions` The texel dimensions (width and height) of the texture image. `turbidity` The cloudiness or haziness of the simulated sky. See the [`turbidity`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLSkyCubeTexture/turbidity) property. `sunElevation` The sun’s position in the simulated sky. See the [`sunElevation`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLSkyCubeTexture/sunElevation) property. `upperAtmosphereScattering` A factor that influences the color of the simulated sky. See the [`upperAtmosphereScattering`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLSkyCubeTexture/upperAtmosphereScattering) property. `groundAlbedo` A factor that influences the clarity of the simulated sky. See the [`groundAlbedo`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLSkyCubeTexture/groundAlbedo) property. ## Return Value A new sky cube texture object. ## Discussion The newly created texture is a cube texture; that is, its [`isCube`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLTexture/isCube) property is , and its [`dimensions`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLTexture/dimensions) property reflects the vertical layout of cube faces. This initializer does not generate texel data; the [`MDLSkyCubeTexture`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLSkyCubeTexture) class automatically generates data and caches it for reuse when you use one of the [`MDLTexture`](/documentation/ModelIO/MDLTexture) methods listed in Accessing Texture Data. --- Copyright © 2026 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. | [Terms of Use](https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/terms/site.html) | [Privacy Policy](https://www.apple.com/privacy/privacy-policy)