How to Create Custom Maps for SkaterXL

January 8, 2025 Creation 25 min read

Creating custom maps for SkaterXL is one of the most rewarding aspects of the modding community. Whether you want to recreate your local skate spot, design the perfect street plaza, or build an impossible dream park, this comprehensive guide will take you through every step of the map creation process.

Time Investment: Creating a quality custom map typically takes 20-40 hours of work. Plan accordingly and don't rush the process—the community appreciates well-crafted maps!

Getting Started: Tools and Setup

Before diving into map creation, you'll need to set up your development environment with the right tools and resources.

Essential Software

🛠️ Required Tools

Unity 2019.4.31f1: The exact version used by SkaterXL
SkaterXL Map Tools: Official mapping toolkit
Blender 3.0+: For creating custom 3D models
GIMP/Photoshop: For texture creation and editing
Audacity: For custom audio elements (optional)

Setting Up Unity

Unity setup is crucial for SkaterXL map development. Here's the step-by-step process:

Download Unity Hub from the official Unity website
Install Unity 2019.4.31f1 specifically (newer versions may cause compatibility issues)
Create a new 3D project with the following settings:
- Template: 3D
- Project Name: Your map name
- Location: Dedicated folder for SkaterXL projects
Import the SkaterXL Map Tools package
Configure project settings for SkaterXL compatibility

Design Philosophy and Planning

Great SkaterXL maps aren't just collections of obstacles—they're carefully designed environments that encourage flow, creativity, and repeated play.

Understanding Flow

Flow is the most important aspect of any skate spot. Consider these elements when planning your map:

🌊 Flow Considerations

Natural Lines: Obstacles should connect logically
Multiple Approaches: Each feature should be accessible from different angles
Speed Variation: Include areas for both technical and high-speed skating
Skill Progression: Offer challenges for different skill levels
Visual Clarity: Players should easily understand the space

Reference and Inspiration

Before starting your map, gather extensive reference material:

Photo References: Collect images from multiple angles
Video Footage: Study how real skaters use the space
Measurements: Get accurate dimensions when possible
Atmospheric Elements: Note lighting, weather, and environmental details

Basic Map Structure

Every SkaterXL map follows a basic structure that ensures compatibility and performance.

Scene Hierarchy


              Map Scene Structure: ├── Environment │ ├── Terrain │ ├── Buildings
              │ └── Background Elements ├── Skateable Objects │ ├── Ledges │ ├──
              Rails │ ├── Stairs │ └── Transition Elements ├── Lighting │ ├──
              Directional Light │ ├── Point Lights │ └── Area Lights ├── Audio │
              ├── Ambient Sounds │ └── Surface Audio Zones └── Spawn Points ├──
              Player Spawn └── Alternative Spawns

Collision Setup

Proper collision setup is essential for realistic skating physics:

Skateable Surfaces: Use precise mesh colliders
Non-Skateable Objects: Use simplified box/capsule colliders
Grindable Edges: Ensure clean, continuous collision geometry
Performance Optimization: Use LOD (Level of Detail) for distant objects

Creating Skateable Geometry

The heart of any SkaterXL map is its skateable geometry. This section covers creating the obstacles and surfaces that players will interact with.

Ledge Creation

Ledges are fundamental to street skating. Here's how to create perfect ledges:

📐 Ledge Specifications

Height: 18-24 inches (real-world scale)
Width: 6-12 inches for grinding surface
Length: Varies, but 6-20 feet is common
Angle: Perfectly horizontal for consistent grinds
Edges: Sharp, clean edges for proper lock-in

Step-by-Step Ledge Creation

Create a basic cube in Unity
Scale to appropriate ledge dimensions
Add a mesh collider component
Set the collider to "Convex" for performance
Apply appropriate materials and textures
Test grind compatibility with SkaterXL physics

Stair Creation

Stairs offer opportunities for gaps, grinds, and technical lines. Creating realistic stairs requires attention to proportions:


              Standard Stair Dimensions: - Step Height: 6-8 inches - Step Depth:
              10-12 inches - Handrail Height: 32-36 inches - Handrail Diameter:
              1.5-2 inches - Landing Depth: 4-6 feet minimum

Transition Elements

Quarter pipes, bowls, and other transition elements require careful curve creation:

Reference Curves: Use real skatepark blueprints when possible
Smooth Geometry: Ensure curves are mathematically smooth
Proper Scaling: Maintain realistic proportions
Coping Details: Add proper coping for lip tricks
Transition Angles: Use standard skatepark transition angles

Texturing and Materials

Realistic textures and materials bring your map to life and provide important visual feedback to players.

Surface Types

Different surfaces should have distinct visual and audio properties:

🎨 Common Surface Materials

Concrete: Rough texture, matte finish, realistic wear patterns
Metal: Reflective properties, rust/wear details, proper specularity
Wood: Grain patterns, weathering, appropriate color variation
Brick: Individual brick details, mortar lines, realistic scaling
Asphalt: Aggregate texture, crack patterns, oil stains

Texture Resolution Guidelines

Proper texture resolution ensures good visual quality without impacting performance:

Hero Objects: 2048x2048 or 4096x4096 for main skateable surfaces
Secondary Objects: 1024x1024 for supporting elements
Background Elements: 512x512 or lower for distant objects
Detail Textures: Use tiling detail textures for close-up surfaces

Lighting and Atmosphere

Proper lighting can make or break the atmosphere of your map. SkaterXL supports various lighting techniques that can enhance the skating experience.

Lighting Setup

Start with basic three-point lighting and build complexity from there:

Key Light: Primary directional light (usually the sun)
Fill Light: Softer light to reduce harsh shadows
Rim Light: Backlight to separate subjects from background
Ambient Light: Overall environmental illumination

Time of Day Considerations

☀️ Lighting Scenarios

Golden Hour: Warm, dramatic lighting with long shadows
Midday: Bright, even lighting with minimal shadows
Overcast: Soft, diffused lighting with subtle shadows
Night: Artificial lighting with strong contrast
Indoor: Mixed artificial lighting sources

Audio Design

Audio significantly impacts the skating experience. Well-designed audio makes maps feel alive and provides important feedback to players.

Ambient Audio

Create atmosphere with carefully chosen ambient sounds:

Urban Environments: Traffic, construction, city life
Park Settings: Birds, wind, distant activity
Indoor Spaces: Reverb, HVAC systems, echoes
Coastal Areas: Waves, seagulls, wind

Surface Audio

Different surfaces should produce distinct skateboard sounds:


              Surface Audio Properties: - Concrete: Hard, echoing sounds -
              Metal: Sharp, ringing tones - Wood: Hollow, resonant sounds -
              Brick: Rough, textured audio - Smooth surfaces: Clean rolling
              sounds - Rough surfaces: Gritty, grinding audio

Optimization and Performance

A beautiful map is useless if it doesn't run well. Optimization is crucial for ensuring your map is enjoyable for all players.

Polygon Count Management

Keep polygon counts reasonable while maintaining visual quality:

📊 Polygon Budget Guidelines

Total Scene: Aim for under 100,000 triangles
Hero Objects: 1,000-5,000 triangles each
Secondary Objects: 200-1,000 triangles each
Background Elements: Under 200 triangles each
Use LOD: Implement Level of Detail for distant objects

Texture Optimization

Optimize textures without sacrificing visual quality:

Compression: Use appropriate compression settings
Mipmaps: Generate mipmaps for better performance
Atlasing: Combine small textures into texture atlases
Format Selection: Choose optimal formats for different texture types

Testing and Iteration

Testing is crucial for creating maps that are fun to skate and free of issues.

Playtesting Process

Solo Testing: Skate every line and obstacle yourself
Community Feedback: Share early versions with trusted community members
Performance Testing: Test on various hardware configurations
Bug Hunting: Look for collision issues, visual glitches, and performance problems
Iteration: Make improvements based on feedback

Common Issues to Check

🔍 Testing Checklist

Collision accuracy on all skateable surfaces
Proper grind lock-in on rails and ledges
No invisible walls or collision gaps
Consistent lighting without harsh transitions
Audio levels and spatial positioning
Performance on lower-end hardware
Spawn point positioning and safety

Publishing and Community Sharing

Once your map is complete and tested, it's time to share it with the SkaterXL community.

Packaging Your Map

Proper packaging ensures easy installation for other players:

Build your map using Unity's build system
Create a clear folder structure
Include installation instructions
Add screenshots and description
Test the packaged version thoroughly

Community Tip: Engage with feedback constructively! The SkaterXL community is generally very supportive, and incorporating feedback will make you a better map creator.

Advanced Techniques

Once you've mastered the basics, these advanced techniques can set your maps apart:

Dynamic Elements

Moving Objects: Elevators, rotating elements, sliding doors
Interactive Elements: Switches, buttons, triggered events
Weather Systems: Rain, snow, dynamic lighting changes
Particle Effects: Dust, sparks, atmospheric particles

Scripting and Automation

Basic C# scripting can add unique features to your maps:


              Example: Automatic Door Script public class AutoDoor :
              MonoBehaviour { public float openDistance = 5f; private bool
              isOpen = false; void Update() { float distance = Vector3.Distance(
              transform.position, PlayerController.Instance.transform.position
              ); if (distance < openDistance && !isOpen) { OpenDoor(); } else if
              (distance >= openDistance && isOpen) { CloseDoor(); } } }

Inspiration and Next Steps

Creating custom maps for SkaterXL is an incredibly rewarding creative outlet that contributes to the entire community's enjoyment. Your maps become virtual spaces where countless players will spend hours perfecting their skills and expressing their creativity.

Start with simple projects and gradually increase complexity as you learn. Study real-world skate spots, analyze what makes them special, and try to capture that essence in your virtual creations. Remember that the best maps aren't necessarily the most complex—they're the ones that inspire creativity and provide endless replay value.

The SkaterXL mapping community is always eager to help newcomers and share knowledge. Don't hesitate to ask questions, share work-in-progress shots, and collaborate with other creators. Some of the best maps have come from community collaborations and shared expertise.

Whether you're recreating your local skate spot, designing the perfect street plaza, or building an impossible dream park, your contribution helps keep the SkaterXL community vibrant and growing. Happy mapping, and we can't wait to skate your creations!