How to create a 360° skydome site background in Archicad

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This article introduces a streamlined technique to showcase a project’s real-world context in Archicad, using a custom skydome object and a 360° site photo. It is intended for Archicad users who want a realistic site background in 3D and BIMx without detailed context modeling.

Issue description

Users need a light‑weight way to visualize real‑world surroundings in 3D/BIMx without complex modeling.

Solution

This method uses a GDL-based skydome object in Archicad, where the outside of the dome is transparent and the inside displays a 360° panoramic image of the site. This approach quickly creates an immersive environment around your model, ideal for both in-Archicad visualization and BIMx presentations.

Note that this trick requires Archicad 27 or later and Physically Based Rendering in 3D must be enabled in your Work Environment settings, like this:

Steps

1. Download the sample Archicad project that contains the skydome object, “Dome einfacher” created by Heimo. 
2. Enable Physically Based Rendering in 3D in the Work Environment.
3. Capture a 360° photo of the site using either a dedicated camera or a mobile app that can create a stitched 360° .jpg file. 
4. Add the image to the embedded library: File > Libraries and Objects > Library Manager
5. Open the skydome object settings and assign the image (insert the name as it appears in the embedded library):
   

The outcome

A skydome in Archicad where the external surface is transparent, and the internal surface is a 360^o picture of the actual surroundings of the site.

For more information on how this GDL skydome object is set up, watch this video.

Additional Archicad objects and video tutorials created by this Community member are available here:

YouTube	BIMcomponents

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These techniques were originally shared by Community member @Hmooslechner. If you’d like to explore the original discussion, click here to read the full thread!

This article is part of the ‘Tip of the Month’ series on Graphisoft Insights, highlighting valuable community-driven solutions for modeling challenges. Try these methods in your next project and experience the difference in model quality and efficiency.