So from what I can see, there is no way to modify the env map on items at all. What I can do is:
- Modify the envmap in a tileset, which will affect everything in it not specifying a variant
- Modify the creature appearance envmap, which will affect anything held by the creature (??)
- Modify a placeable envmap, which I cannot equip like I am doing anyway
- Apply envmaps to the creature holding the object using stuff OTR and Virusman were playing with 2012. But does that affect the held items?
If that last one is workable, then I can probably do that, as long as my creature model does not have anything on that will be changed by the env map applied.
The only problems there is that 1) I have to then make an onEquip script for my star ruby orbs so that if they get equipped they change the carrying creature's environment map (and onUnequip to undo it) and 2) if my player equips it I either have to NOT do that, or alternately do that and suffer having all my shiny bits on my player character be replaced with star gem shine.
Looks like this is a no go all around.
I may instead equip the gem with a single emitter so the inner star always faces the camera. The only thing I see wrong with that is that it will not be on the outside of the gem, like you would see with star gems, it will be under the outermost model skin, which will dull the shine.
The only other option would be to emit a model instead, and I already know that has some serious issues.
Frankly, not currently worth the effort.