# Travel >> Destinations >> Canada

Directions for a Skydome

Skydomes are semi-spherical models that are used in 3D programs and video games to give the appearance of a sky for the scene. Once in place, regardless of where the camera moves in the scene, the sky is seen. While the modeling of the dome is easily done in whatever 3D program you are using, the complex part of the job is creating the skydome image that will be placed on the dome model. This is done using a graphics program like Photoshop, Photoshop Elements or GIMP.

Instructions

Photoshop
- 1
  Download a panoramic image that you can use as the basis of your skydome image. There are many of these that can be purchased or downloaded for free. Make sure it is in the rectangular format.
- 2
  Open Photoshop. Select "File" from the menu and choose "Open." In the dialog that appears, locate the file you loaded and open it.
- 3
  Select "Image" from the menu and choose "Image Size." In the dialog that appears, Turn off "Constrain Proportions." Change the width and height to 1024 and click "OK."
- 4
  Select "Filter" from the menu and choose "Distort." From the options, choose "Polar Coordinates." In the dialog, click "Rectangular to Polar." Click "OK."
- 5
  Select "File" from the menu and choose "Save As." In the dialog that appears, name the file and change the "File Type" to "Targa." Click "Save." You now have a skydome map.
Photoshop Elements
- 6
  Download a panoramic image that you can use as the basis of your skydome image. There are many of these that can be purchased or downloaded for free. Make sure it is in the rectangular format.
- 7
  Open Photoshop Elements. Click on the "Edit" tab. Select "File" from the menu and choose "Open." In the dialog that appears, locate the file you loaded and open it.
- 8
  Select "Image" from the menu and choose "Resize." From the options, choose "Image Size." In the dialog that appears, Turn off "Constrain Proportions." Change the width and height to 1024 and click "OK."
- 9
  Select "Filter" from the menu and choose "Distort." From the options, choose "Polar Coordinates." In the dialog, click "Rectangular to Polar." Click "OK."
- 10
  Select "File" from the menu and choose "Save As." In the dialog that appears, name the file and change the "File Type" to "Targa." click "Save." You now have a skydome map.
GIMP
- 11
  Download a panoramic image that you can use as the basis of your skydome image. There are many of these that can be purchased or downloaded for free. Make sure it is in the rectangular format.
- 12
  Open GIMP. Select "File" from the menu and choose "Open." In the dialog that appears, locate the file you loaded and open it.
- 13
  Select "Image" from the menu and choose "Scale Image." In the dialog that appears, Turn off "Constrain Proportions." Change the width and height to 1024 and click "Scale."
- 14
  Select "Filter" from the menu and choose "Distorts." From the options, choose "Polar Coordinates." In the dialog, click "OK."
- 15
  Select "File" from the menu and choose "Save As." In the dialog that appears, name the file and change the "File Type" to "Targa." click "Save." You now have a skydome map.