Skybox is a new AI tool from Blockade Labs that lets you create immersive 3D worlds in a variety of styles, from a simple text prompt.
What is a skybox?
A skybox is a technique to create realistic backgrounds for video games or other 3D applications. It uses a cube with six images on its faces that match each other, creating the illusion of a distant environment. A skybox does not move with the viewer, so it looks like the objects in it are very far away.
Some examples of skyboxes are:
- A sky with clouds and mountains
- A cityscape with buildings and bridges
- A space scene with planets and stars
Skyboxes can have different visual styles, such as realistic, cartoon, or watercolour. They can also be generated by AI tools, such as Skybox AI, which lets you create a skybox from your prompts and draw shapes to guide the algorithm
Skybox AI
Skybox AI is a wonderful tool created by Blockade Labs that lets you make a skybox from your prompts. It has the option to change the visual styles, use positive and negative prompts, and remix the results from existing prompts. Another great feature is that you can draw and paint some shapes to give the algorithm some hints to get more specific looks.
Once generated, it is possible to pan around the scene, using the mouse to pan and scan around. It’s also possible to turn off the and turn on autopan so that it automatically glides around the 3D scene. You can take over at any time.
Using Prompts
The prompt is the most important part of any AI tool. Play around with the prompts and see how it works for you.
Once you’ve created your scene you can remix it to change the time of day, weather conditions etc. You can also use AI to enhance your prompt if you’re on a paid plan.
You don’t just have to generate outdoor worlds, Skybox can be used to generate building interiors too, such as this library.
For example: “a lush green valley with snow-capped mountains. A wide blue tranquil river winds through the middle.”
Different Visual Styles
One nice feature is that Skybox comes with a range of different visual styles that you can use with your prompt. You can switch between fantasy, cyberpunk, kids animation, claymation and more. Some of these styles are only available on the paid plans.
Using The Brush/Erase Tool
The brush tool lets you draw specific shapes that you want to see in your scene such as structures, doors, windows, landscape features etc.
Exporting Finished Worlds
When you’re happy with your world you can export the skybox as an image or ready-to-use asset for your projects. The downloads are watermarked on free plans but intact for commercial use upon buying full licenses.
Price
Skybox is freemium. There is a limited free plan which gives you 15 generations a month. And there are several different paid plans which offer more generations, tools and commercial licences. Details of the plans are here.
How can teachers use Skybox?
Skybox could be used to create a landscape that could be used as a stimulus for creative writing. With just a few words a teacher (or a student) could create a 3D scene.
Students could then describe the scene, using rich language, and then pan around and explore different angles.
Challenge them to come up with stories, games, or artworks based on the skyboxes they generate.
A teacher could use Skybox to recreate a scene or location from a book or novel. It could also be used to recreate historical sites.
Children could use descriptive writing to create a prompt and see what the outcome is.
Skybox has also teamed up with ThingLink to create content to use on VR headsets such as ClassVR.
Use it to develop skills in 3D design, programming, and storytelling: You can teach your students how to use Skybox AI and its features, such as choosing and customizing the environment, adding objects and assets, and fine-tuning and optimizing the scene. You can also encourage them to integrate their skyboxes into other projects, such as games, videos, or presentations.
Skybox looks like a really useful AI tool to help stimulate creativity in the classroom. You can try it for free at skybox.blockadelabs.com
Create Immersive 3D Worlds with Skybox AI
The Whiteboard Blog – Education, Technology and Science CPD and Support