If you would rather create your own textures to use rather than export them with this tool you will need to know about the "_cm", "_ng", and "_add" texture files and how their channels are used. You will need to use an image editor that allows for separation of color channels so that you can set the alpha channel to what it needs to be.

Also, these textures must be in what is known as an "equirectangular projection". If you've ever seen an atlas with severe horizontal stretching at both poles, you know roughly what this looks like. The idea is that the texture can be wrapped onto a sphere around the middle. Any texture that is properly equirectangular can probably be used here.

"_cm" (color/metal)
"RGB" channels are color as you would see them in game.

"A" channel is metalness. This should be completed black.

"_ng" (normal/gloss)
"RGB" channels are the normalmap, which controls the bumpiness of the surface. You can look up tutorials on creating/editing normalmaps if you want to create one from scratch.

"A" channel is gloss, which adds a specular shininess to parts that are smooth and reflective (ice, smooth stone, etc.).

"_add" (additive)
"R" channel is ambient occlusion. This should be completely white (filled)

"G" channel is emissiveness, which adds a glow to the material that will appear even in the dark. This should be completely black (empty) unless you want lava or something glowing on the surface.

"B" channel is not used and should be black (empty).

"A" channel is "paintability". This is used for blocks, but not here. It should be black (empty).

More Materials Info[spaceengineers.wiki.gg]

The textures you hook up to the proxy will appear in game even if they don't resemble the voxel planet at all. Having the proxy and voxel planet match visually only matters if you plan on landing on the planet and want the transition to be as seamless as possible. If you'd rather have the proxy as a cool set piece that you see in the sky or orbit around, then you can make it look as cool as you want without worrying about making them match.