Content: DigiDome

Incorporating the latest advancements in dome compositing as well as a new rendering engine, DigiDome 4.0 is the standard in digital slide processing for the dome.

A real-time graphical user interface allows users to compose full dome images within DigiDome, eliminating the transfer back and forth from imaging software. You can now assemble your dome masters from individual slides seamlessly within DigiDome for previously unimaginable all-skies.

The company that has defined digital processing in the domed theater has again refined the medium. DigiDome 4.0 sets the standard for digital composition on the dome. No longer limited to static single layer views of the dome, 4.0 allows you to work fluidly and quickly with multiple composition layers and text in the real-time layout. This provides a streamlined workflow never before available to producers and artists.

DigiDome 4.0 allows you to process multiple dome configurations simultaneously for slide distribution, provides alpha channel and luminance keying for multi-layered composition, and features a realtime fully interactive interface designed to allow you to quickly and easily create stunning all-sky and panorama slides for your dome. All this while still providing you with pixel-perfect images for any dome projection system utilizing overlapping slides of any size.

Below are several screen shots of the new DigiDome 4.0. Click on each image for a larger view.

A complete image processing workstation will also need a good bitmap editor, such as Adobe Photoshop. And you'll need the computing power and memory to handle large images as you prepare them for DigiDome.

To get you started right out of the box, DigiDome 4.0 comes with bonus grids and artwork, allowing you to setup and experiment with your dome.

The true color targa files that DigiDome produces can be transferred to film using a computer film printer. Many graphics service bureaus offer this service for just a few dollars per slide.

Input file format: TGA, BMP, JPG
Output file format: TARGA 24-bit uncompressed
Input resolution: unlimited
Output resolution: Maximum of 16,384 x 16,384
32 Bit image processing: 24 bit color; 8 bit alpha

DigiDome is sold on a per license (per computer) basis and requires a one-time software activation before its first use after installation. One license allows installation of the software on one computer. It is highly recommended that software installation is performed on the computer on which it is intended to run, as only one software license is provided. Should more than one license be required, additional licenses are available at a discounted price, please contact Sky-Skan for more details.

Upon running the software for the first time, DigiDome generates a unique Customer Key based upon the computer's hardware and software configuration. The user is then prompted to enter a Validation Key based on the Customer Key; without it, the software will not start. To obtain the required Validation Key, the Customer Key must be provided to Sky-Skan – either via e-mail, fax, or phone – during normal business hours of 9:00 - 5:00 Eastern Time (GMT -05:00). Since the Customer Key is based upon computer configuration, changes to a computer's hardware or installation on a different computer will require another Validation Key from Sky-Skan.

DigiDome will take a single image, such as this deep sky all-dome view of the Eagle Nebula Dust Lanes. . .
and create six all-sky slides with built-in soft-edge masks...

Or take this single panoramic image of a Mars base...

and create 12 (or 6, or however many you need) pre-distorted panorama slides with built-in soft-edge masks...