Skybox update

Ty Cobb · 04-16-2022, 06:26 PM

Well, they say get while the getting is good. I've got a number of skyboxes to work on in the near future for release taken last year...that's the good news.

The bad news is that the google (yeah, I know) app I relied on has been "updated" to allow no larger than 4600x2300 panoramas, versus the old 11250x5625 size. To say the least I'm unhappy, as 8k pano's suck in my undelicate opinion.

I'll start up in a couple weeks releasing the old skyboxes I have, and a single new one at the lower resolution—I'll definitely want feedback on the quality of it—and begin looking for a better way to take the pic's. One thing is certain—I'm not dropping $2,000 plus dollars on one. That's generate-an-income level hardware in Mrs. Cobb's opinion, and she's correct. Also, the resolution is lower than what I used to shoot...much lower. Put simply, if I don't find new software, box quality will diminish. You may still find them OK, and if you do, I'll be thrilled.

The other good thing is that I have managed to latch on to some nice stitching software for regular panoramas. This would allow for replacement of backgrounds that are coming with stadiums, just not the sky dome.

As always, life is a mixed bag of results.

Skybox tutorial will still be forthcoming as soon as the weather here in Northern Michigan has warmed up. I'm getting a dusting of snow today and it's windy...

zappa1 · 04-18-2022, 07:54 PM

Thanks, Ty for the update.

Ty Cobb · 04-18-2022, 10:33 PM

Working on finding alternatives. Actually, the answer may come from the past. Sometimes, 20 year old software does what modern stuff refuses to.

04-16-2022, 06:26 PM	#1
Ty Cobb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Grayling, MI Posts: 4,617	Skybox update Well, they say get while the getting is good. I've got a number of skyboxes to work on in the near future for release taken last year...that's the good news. The bad news is that the google (yeah, I know) app I relied on has been "updated" to allow no larger than 4600x2300 panoramas, versus the old 11250x5625 size. To say the least I'm unhappy, as 8k pano's suck in my undelicate opinion. I'll start up in a couple weeks releasing the old skyboxes I have, and a single new one at the lower resolution—I'll definitely want feedback on the quality of it—and begin looking for a better way to take the pic's. One thing is certain—I'm not dropping $2,000 plus dollars on one. That's generate-an-income level hardware in Mrs. Cobb's opinion, and she's correct. Also, the resolution is lower than what I used to shoot...much lower. Put simply, if I don't find new software, box quality will diminish. You may still find them OK, and if you do, I'll be thrilled. The other good thing is that I have managed to latch on to some nice stitching software for regular panoramas. This would allow for replacement of backgrounds that are coming with stadiums, just not the sky dome. As always, life is a mixed bag of results. Skybox tutorial will still be forthcoming as soon as the weather here in Northern Michigan has warmed up. I'm getting a dusting of snow today and it's windy... __________________ "You could not live with your own failure. Where did that bring you? Back to me." Thanos

04-18-2022, 10:33 PM	#3
Ty Cobb Hall Of Famer Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Grayling, MI Posts: 4,617	Working on finding alternatives. Actually, the answer may come from the past. Sometimes, 20 year old software does what modern stuff refuses to. __________________ "You could not live with your own failure. Where did that bring you? Back to me." Thanos

04-18-2022, 07:54 PM	#2
zappa1 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 2,179	Thanks, Ty for the update.