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Skybox resources and skybox quick preview

Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 1:45 pm
by UTPe
Hi,
while cleaning my pc, I also found some skyboxes resources and 2 tools aimed to build a skybox preview (without using UEd 2.0).
Maybe these resources can help someone in his mapping works:

http://www.unreal.shaungoeppinger.com/skyboxes.html
http://www.redsorceress.com/skybox.html
http://www.hazelwhorley.com/textures.html (the source images are not available anymore but you can download the .utx packages anyway)

Take a look at this last link: by clicking the images, you can join the Skybox Viewer webpage (http://www.hazelwhorley.com/scripts/sky ... iewer.html), an Adobe flash component (I think it was developed with Flex SDK) for skybox visualization. Obviously, you can not use it to visualize your own skyboxes (as you know, a compiled flash object can be decompiled but then you've to rebuild and recode the entire component...) but it represents a fine way for previewing skybox graphics.
A similar solution can be achieved by using a relative well-known commercial software called Pano2VR (http://gardengnomesoftware.com/pano2vr.php), which converts panoramic images into Flash/QuickTimeVR 3D scenes. Very interesting but Pano2VR it's not a freeware software and, most of all, it's not so easy to use, the workflow is a bit long even though it works well.
Time ago, I found something better and more simple (and also freeware).
It's about 2 OpenGL-based skybox tools, SkyBox Stuffer and SkyBox Viewer (http://brightideassoftware.com/SkyBox%20Tools.aspx).

SkyBox Stuffer
info: http://brightideassoftware.com/SkyBox%20Stuffer.aspx
download: http://brightideassoftware.com/download ... tuffer.zip

SkyBox Viewer
info: http://brightideassoftware.com/SkyBox%20Viewer.aspx
download: http://brightideassoftware.com/download ... Viewer.zip

In a few words, SkyBox Stuffer takes 6 images (5 + ground image) and packs them into a single file with a .bisb extension that can be then visualized inside the SkyBox Viewer. Very quick and simple !
You can give them a try with your own panoramic images or open the 2 examples I added to the post.

example 1 - Night Sky (files downloaded from the second link above), 5 images without ground
example 2 - BlackHawk (files taken from a map, "BlackHawk", for Urban Terror game), 6 images

It would be also interesting to discuss about designing skyboxes with external tools like Terragen or World Machine but maybe this will the argument of another post...


regards,
Pietro

Re: Skybox resources and skybox quick preview

Posted: Thu May 30, 2013 3:08 pm
by JackGriffin
Shaun is Iniquitous, the 2k4 monster maker and the person who taught me how to code. He's simply a fantastic guy. Think of him as 2k4's FeraliDragon because there's not a more appropriate way to describe him. Hazel is a former player but she still allows her stuff to be used and she's as sweet as they come if you contact her. Either one would answer you if you contacted them and both allow all their stuff to be used in UT.

Hazel's skyboxes are incredible, she's a real artist. If you could couple her art with Higor's moveable box....damn.

Re: Skybox resources and skybox quick preview

Posted: Fri May 31, 2013 2:40 am
by Dr.Flay
Microsoft ICE is as good as most commercial panoramic programs.
http://research.microsoft.com/en-us/um/ ... s/ivm/ice/
I have used it to do some 360 deg night-time shots around where I live.
You can include more shots of the sky above to get complete cover.
Customs House Quay
Customs House Quay
Sorry about the size, but you guys need to be able to get a good look at it (the original is more massive).
The ones on my blog are smaller, but there are more examples.
http://my.opera.com/dr-flay/albums/show.dml?id=810710
This one is just over 90 deg.

Re: Skybox resources and skybox quick preview

Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 1:47 pm
by UTPe

Re: Skybox resources and skybox quick preview

Posted: Mon Jun 03, 2013 5:18 pm
by papercoffee
I made this thread sticky ...so wash your hands after using this useful links.

Re: Skybox resources and skybox quick preview

Posted: Thu Jan 30, 2014 11:25 pm
by papercoffee
Not really sky-boxes (wallpapers for double screens) but can be used as source for some.

Re: Skybox resources and skybox quick preview

Posted: Thu Sep 08, 2016 8:47 am
by UTPe
Hi,
if you can't find a good skybox online or you're not able to generate a new one with your own graphics, SkyGen might help you.
This handy WebGL tool lets you create nice skyboxes for your ut99 maps. You can export the images to a separate browser window where you can save each file individually or export a single cube map image for further editing with other tools (color correction, HDR, etc...). Use Firefox or Chrome browsers.

homepage: http://www.nutty.ca/?p=381


I don't remember now if someone already posted this link but this is surely a very interesting one, it's about panorama transformations.
If you start from a 360° panoramic image, here you can find infos about transforming it directly into a cube map for your skybox.

http://www.cgskies.com/resources_tutorial_transform.php


greets,
Pietro

Re: Skybox resources and skybox quick preview

Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2017 12:51 pm
by Cardia1
Hi, does anyone has or knows where can i find these skyboxes?:

Image

Image

I would like to use them in my maps.

Thanks in advance for any help provided.

Re: Skybox resources and skybox quick preview

Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2019 7:42 am
by UTPe
one more link: http://www.custommapmakers.org/skyboxes.php

PS:
original skybox viewer links are dead but the resources are still available on the website.

http://brightideassoftware.com/DevPages ... Tools.aspx