Xeneize: kMaps - 32bit HDR 360 Sky Creator PS Plug-In

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

kMaps - 32bit HDR 360 Sky Creator PS Plug-In

kMaps - HDR 32bit Procedural 360° Sky Maps Latitude/Longitude Cylindrical Mapping

Important: This plug-in is free and open-source. It was created and tested with Photoshop 2020 (21.2.1) (with CEP 9) in English on Windows 10. Compatibility with other versions is unknown.

Update: I've confirmed compatibility with the latest Photoshop (24.3.0 with CEP 11), but it still requires the English version. Importantly, CEP is being deprecated, which may limit this plug-in's usefulness in the future due to advancements in AI image synthesis.

kMaps offers simple, perlin, and fractal noise-based clouds in a classic style.

As an unsigned plug-in, manual installation and enabling Photoshop's debug mode is required (see video for instructions).

Please note that the plug-in contains some bugs, primarily in the user interface.

Information:

Groundless Images: Generated images lack a ground plane, allowing for versatile use. Each image can effectively serve two purposes.
Resolution: Generating 16K images depends on GPU and driver capabilities. 8K is consistently reliable, and 4K is generally suitable.
32-bit Depth: The 32-bit output is computationally intensive. The plugin initially creates a 16-bit PSD, simulating different exposures, and then combines them into a 32-bit image.
Preset Compatibility: Presets are optimized for default cloud settings. Modifying advanced noise options might require adjustments to other parameters. Experiment with Seed and Noise Evolution values before applying presets.
Aspect Ratio: Images are generated in a 1:1 aspect ratio to accommodate engines like Unity, which often resize and pack textures in this format.

Installation (Windows 10):

Extract the /com.k.maps folder from the .rar file and place it in C:/Users/***/AppData/Roaming/Adobe/CEP/extensions/.
Install the included Actions as usual.
Enable Debug Mode in Photoshop (follow the video guide).

Simple Guide:

Close all other files.
Click "Render .PSD".
Select a preset and click "Run".
Optionally, click "Convert to HDR".
Save the image.

Tips:

The preview is a style guide, not a definitive representation.
Ignore potential banding when zooming out. Gradients are accurate.
To disable a layer or option without affecting presets, set its opacity to 0 instead of hiding it.
The sun and moon may appear distorted depending on their position.
The animation feature is experimental and prone to crashes. Use with caution.