Hakros Skybox Editor

Hi everyone

I have created this Windows application designed to compose, edit, and export custom skyboxes — supporting both classic 2D panoramic skies for Doom and similar games, and cubic skyboxes compatible with GZDoom, Quake, and other 3D engines.

Hakros Skybox Editor (HSE) has been designed as a complete creative environment for building both panoramic and cubic skyboxes, static or animated, through a fully visual workflow. It brings together precise control, performance, and simplicity, offering modders and artists a modern and polished interface to work with.

Layer-Based Skybox Composition

HSE allows you to import and manipulate multiple images as independent layers. You can move them freely across the workspace, align or reorder them, and modify every visual property in real time.

• Import PNG or JPG images with instant visual feedback.

• Move, align, and reorder layers using drag & drop or toolbar commands.

• Adjust opacity, visibility, and Z-order independently for each layer.

• Apply color correction through Hue, Saturation, and Brightness sliders.

• Rename, duplicate, or delete layers quickly.

• Manage multiple selections easily: select all, deselect all, or invert the selection.

Alignment and Layout Tools

HSE includes numerous functions to organize your composition precisely:

• Center layers automatically in the export area.

• Align layers to any edge (top, bottom, left, right, or middle axes).

• Distribute layers evenly in horizontal or vertical patterns.

• Fit layers to the output window with a single click.

• Mirror layers horizontally or vertically and merge them seamlessly to create perfect panoramic symmetry.

Export and Packaging System

Once the composition is ready, HSE can export it in multiple formats:

• A single panoramic PNG file ready for use in Doom engine mods.

• A complete cubic skybox with six faces (Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, Bottom).

• A PK3 package containing:

  • A SKYBOX directory with the generated textures.

  • MAPINFO and ANIMDEFS files that define the skybox in-engine.

All export operations ensure compatibility with SLADE, Ultimate Doom Builder, and other modding tools.

Animation System

Through the Animation Window, you can create fully animated skyboxes by defining multiple keyframes. Each keyframe can store visual parameters such as position, opacity, hue, saturation, brightness, blur, and sharpness.

The animation system allows you to:

• Add, duplicate, remove, or reorder stages directly in a timeline.

• Configure FPS, total duration, and frame interpolation.

• Preview each frame instantly before export.

• Export animations as frame sequences or as a pre-packaged PK3 with all definitions included.

• Generate both normal and flipped frames automatically.

• Reverse animation order or renumber stages at any time.

This system allows the creation of day/night cycles, dynamic light movements, or smooth atmospheric transitions entirely within the tool.

Cubemap Mode and Resolution Dialog

The Cubic Face Size dialog lets you choose the resolution for each face of a 3D cubemap skybox. It provides visual indicators about performance and detail:

• Low sizes (64–256) offer ultra-fast rendering but lower detail.

• Medium sizes (512–640) provide a good balance between performance and quality.

• High and ultra sizes (1024–2048) deliver sharp detail for high-resolution outputs.

You can preview how each size affects clarity and performance before exporting.

In addition, the dialog helps you estimate the visual style and performance impact of your chosen settings.

Lower resolutions result in more pixelated, retro-style environments and are ideal for quick previews or classic-engine aesthetics, while higher resolutions provide sharper details suited for modern, high-quality skyboxes.

This allows creators to balance visual fidelity and export time according to their project’s artistic direction.

The selected resolution applies to all six faces of the cubemap (Front, Back, Left, Right, Top, and Bottom), ensuring consistent detail across the entire skybox.

Cubic skyboxes generated with this system are fully compatible with GZDoom, Quake, and other 3D engines that support cubemap rendering, allowing seamless integration into both classic and modern environments.

Design Principles

HSE is built around three core goals:

1. Productivity: Every essential function is accessible within one or two clicks.

2. Visual Feedback: All changes are shown immediately, with real-time updates.

3. Compatibility: Exported results integrate seamlessly with Doom modding workflows and are fully compatible with GZDoom, Quake, and other 3D engines that support panoramic or cubemap skyboxes.

Target Users

The tool is intended for:

• Level designers creating immersive skies and horizons.

• Mod developers implementing dynamic or animated backgrounds.

• Artists who want control over blending, color grading, and composition.

• Enthusiasts looking to produce professional-quality skyboxes for personal projects.

Feedback and Community

HSE continues to grow with user feedback.
You can share ideas, report issues, or submit your own creations to be featured in the community. Your input helps shape future versions and improve the experience for all creators.

Discord Community:  https://www.hakros.com/discord/

Skybox Gallery: https://www.hakros.com/hse/

This gallery offers free assets created as demonstration samples for HSE. The assets were generated using specialized software — specifically MidJourney — as examples of what can be done with HSE. All images are provided for personal and non-commercial use, allowing users to explore and integrate them into their own projects.

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I'll hope you like it.

Greetings and thanks.