Sky Replacement

Replaces the sky in an architectural render or photograph with a recomposed cloud structure that respects the existing sun direction in the source frame. Layered cumulus or stratus, atmospheric perspective toward the horizon, color gradient cooler at zenith and warmer near horizon, subtle haze layer at distance — all reconstructed at editorial photographic fidelity. Sky luminance is balanced to facade exposure so the new sky never blows out, and cloud direction is harmonised with the implied sun position. The reference sky image acts as a vocabulary source — cloud type, density, color temperature — never as a literal copy of its composition. Useful for any architectural visual where the default CG sky undermines the photographic intent of the rest of the frame, and for varying skies across a deck so 12 shots stop looking like 12 versions of the same image.

An urban planner publishes a feasibility study for a new neighbourhood. The 3D renders are clean but every shot has the same flat blue gradient sky from the rendering software. The deck reads as 12 versions of the same image. The planner runs each shot through Sky Replacement with three different sky references — clear afternoon, broken cumulus, late-day stratus — and the project breathes.