Well I had never thought I'd be modding a planet but then I got suckered into it.

The planet model is a "shattered planet"...it has multiple pieces and is not spherical.

I have converted the model to a mesh but when loaded as such it comes out a flat, featureless black.  I added the asteroid texture to the mesh but it still comes out the same.

I note there is a particle effect field near the top and when I put in my custom particle effect I get a sphere around my model that gives the night and day illumination with a bluish cast.

Obviously I have no idea what I am doing as regards textures and lighting on the mesh but that's what I have unsatisfactorily achieved so far.

I want to combine a particle effect with the planet model.  So as a reference, let's say I wanted the terran world sitting in the middle of the plasma storm.  What must I do?

Any advice appreciated--thanks.