Skybox: How to create or import

I tried to import a generic skybox of a forest, w/o success (see images)
I tried to make “white” area of image transparent as well. Neither worked.
As a test, I also applied the sunset skybox provided by Envisioneer – which did work.
Both were used “spherical” option (as did standard images)

Any clue what I am doing wrong?

Yikes, the photoshop version seems quite complicated (at this time), as I am somwhat unfamiliar w/photoshop. I suppose similar geometrical calisthenics could also be done by pasting images into something like powerpoint, then move/rotate images, then save as what, a jpg?

The reference to “All that’s left is to convert the configuration into six faces, compile, and voilà!” makes it sound easy, but is far from obvious – to a newbie such as myself. I can figure out how to build 6-face-cube, but what about the blank areas? Black? White? Transparent? Compile, huh, what? Does this mean use a program like Sticher to convert the 6-cube-faces into a singulare “flat/blended” image? Is this then the image that is imported into Envisioneer? Does format matter (jpg, tif, png, etc.)? More questions than answers.

As such, I’m be forced – once again – to the AI option, which I already tried w/o sucess (likely due to formatting issues). It seems that there may be other requirements on the images imported – imposed by Envisioneer – that I/users are unaware of and are not stated anywhere else in documentation? For example, cube .vs. spherical, pixel sizing, or blank area definition of the composite 6-face-cube?

Wishlist:

1. Would love to see a complete example/tutorial of a (user or AI) generated skybox that actually works.
   Obviously the Skybox background is a wonderful visual tool/option, but users not being able to import personalized backgrounds (forced to use a few generic ones provided by Envisioneer), while appreciated, is limiting w/r/t conveying site plan visuals to interested parties that (say) want to see their virtual  home on their lot (rural, sub/urban, commercial/industrial), or lake/river/beach front, or forest/streams, or even perhaps whimsical scenes (Moonscapes, fantasy woodlands), or … … …
2. Would love to figure out how to take 6 pictures around a house (Left-Right-Front-Back-Top-Bottom) and use that as background.
   This would be a nice Envisioneer feature:
   (1) Take 6 images w/camera;
   (2a) Import/Convert 6-cube images directly into Envisioneer, which converts them into a background.
   (2b) Use HomeView to upload 6-cube images, turn them into background, then download background back into Envisioneer.
   (2c) Import single “flat/blended” panorama derived from other parties such as 3DVista Stitcher?
3. Seriously consider expanding catalogs to include more 3D backgrounds that are developed/shared by user community.
   AAerospace example VSPAirshow  allows users to download models as ‘templates’. Quite useful saving time getting started.

p.s. Louisa … you rock

Goodnews. (1) Downloaded some square images of a forest in 6-cube format. (2) Took them into powerpoint and arranged them into the 6-cube format. (3) Saved the image as jpg. (4) Opened image and sized it to 4096 x 3072 (4:3 format). (5) Created simple model (see attached). (6) Opened scene properties, selected 3d background jpg image (see attached). Note: ONLY 4096 x 3072 jpg  works. ALL other ‘supposedly’ available inport formats (tif, bmp, gif, and png failed). (7) This added a new background (see image inside looking out).

Bad news: (1) ONLY camera views work, i.e. Quickview drops background. (2) the model seems to ‘float’ above the scene ‘floor’ as opposed to resting on it (changing floor location does not help) or wrapping around the ground floor. The issue might be that the forest floow image needs to be made into the terrain image? How that’ll mesh w/the 3D background – Dunno? Will try later.