Frequently asked questions about seamless textures and 2D photo-images for architectural rendering.

1. General Questions:
What file format are the images in?
How to remove the image from the black background.
How to find a particular plant species.
What are Hardiness Zones?
How to use images in a 3D program.
How do I find "pixels per foot" for my 3D program?
Image processing recommendations
Additional "How to" suggestions
System requirements

2. Ordering Questions:
Can I download the collections right away?
Can I download the collections and also get CDs sent to me?
How do I place an order for a business with more than one user.

3. Licensing or Useage Questions:
Can I share these images with friends or business colleagues?
How can these images be used in Educational Institutions.
Can I use these images in a software program I am designing?
Can I use these images in a virtual internet environment, such as Second Life?
Can I sell my Realworld Imagery images or CDs if I am no longer using them?

What file format are the images and textures in?
Images (people, trees, etc.) are 2D in the 32 bit .TIF (LZW compressed) file format with embedded alpha channel masks. They are placed against a 0,0,0 black background. Textures are 24 bit .TIF (LZW compressed), seamless and tileable.

If your specific application does not support a 32 bit .TIF file format and requires another format, you will need to use a software utility program capable of converting from 32 bit .TIF to your required file format. If you don't already own one, an internet search will provide you with many programs from which to choose.

How to remove the image from the black background in Adobe Photoshop.
Do not use the Magic Wand tool to remove the image from the black background! If you do, you will not be taking advantage of all the hard work we have already done to create a mask of the image. Plus, you will loose the "soft edge" that allows the image to blend nicely onto your graphic. This mask is called an Alpha Channel.

Please do the following: Open your Photoshop program. Load in an image by going to File, click Open, then click on the image you want. After the image appears on your screen, go to Select > Load Selection. You will see Channel: Alpha 1 already in the box, click OK. You will now see a moving marquis appear around the image. Click on your Move tool (the Move tool icon has a arrow head and cross on it). Position your Move tool inside the moving marquis of the image, click on your mouse and literally drag the image off the black background onto your new graphic. That's it!

The image now becomes its own Layer in your your new graphic. There you can do your scaling, rotating, etc. under Edit > Transform, if necessary.

Occasionally you might end up with a thin edge of black pixels around your image after you have removed it from the black background. If this is the case, go to Layer > Matting > Remove Black Matte, and the black outline will be gone!

How to separate the image from the black background in general.
Most software treats black (0,0,0) as transparent. If your software has this capability, set the key color or transparent color to black. Other systems may require the background be white. This is readily done using image processing software by simply changing all black (0,0,0) pixels to the desired background color.

How to find a particular plant species.
You can download an Excel file of our Master Plant List. Plants are alphabetically listed by botanical name, along with their common name, filename, name of the CD they are on, and image size.

What are Hardiness Zones?
Hardiness Zones are the annual minimum temperature range a plant will survive. This is only a guide, as many other factors can affect a local region such as humidity, heat, moisture, soil, winds, and other conditions. Hardiness Zones were originally developed by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Many plants hardy in lower zones usually grow well in higher zones. View Hardiness Zones chart.

How to use images in a 3D rendering program.
Make sure your program can import an LZW compressed .TIF file with alpha channel mask.

You most likely will import our textures or images in your 3D program through your "Materials Editor" or "Billboard" or something similar. Texture maps are used over any surface. Trees and other objects are placed in flat 2D vertical polygons, substantially reducing the rendering time needed to generate a 3D object.

Several tricks are useful to give the impression of 3D in animations, such as placing the image into multiple bisecting polygons will keep the image from looking "flat" as you move around it. Position one of the polygons facing the light source to cast a realistic shadow. Another method is linking the object with the camera so that it always appears to be facing the viewer as you move throughout a scene.

When in doubt, best to check your software manual, or online forums and user groups. You will be able to connect with experts who are familiar with your particular software program.

How do I find the "pixels per foot" of each image for my 3D program?
For some 3D programs you will need to find the pixels per foot of each image. This can be done by deciding how tall the person or object asset is and dividing that number by the pixel height. For example, PEOP1101 looks to be approximately 5'8" (68 inches total) tall. Pixel height is 2309 pixels. Divide 2309 pixels by 68" = 34 pixels per inch, then multiply 34 by 12" (1 foot) = 408 pixels per foot. (Round up fractions.)

System Requirements
(1) Any kind of computer (PC, Macintosh, others).
(2) Graphics software program (2D or 3D) capable of importing a raster .TIF image with alpha channel mask.
(3) Best way to know if our textures/images will work in your program is to download some of our Free Samples. All textures and images are "raster" as opposed to "vector". Everything is photo-realistic, no illustrations.

Can I download the collections right away?
Yes, we have instant downloading 24/7. After you place your order and your credit card is approved, a button will appear where you can continue to begin your download. You will also receive an email that provides you with a link to your download page. If you cannot find this email, check your Spam folder or Junk folder. Many spam filters will put emails with links in them in a Spam folder.

Please note that most of our collections are 100MB- 650MB in size, so please make sure you have a reliable, high-speed internet connection.

Can I download the collections and also get CDs sent to me?
No, our collections are now offered in Download Only format.

How do I place an order for a business with more than one user.
View our Network/Multi-User License pricing. We do not have a separate online order form for multiple users. Please contact us via email or phone with the following information: List the names of the collections you want. Tell us how many users you have and how many office locations. We will prepare a quote for you and email it to you. Payment can be via credit card, check (US businesses or educational institutions only), or by wire funds transfer. Email to .

Can I share these images with friends or business colleagues?
No, you may not share these images with anyone. However, if your business purchased the collections, all authorized office personnel may use the images for projects provided only one person is using the images at one time. Otherwise, you must purchase a Network/Multi-User Licence. Our fees are reasonable.

How can these images be used in Educational Institutions.
If more than one student will be using the images at one time, you must purchase a Network/Multi-User License. It is based on the number of seats (users) connected to your network environment. Our fees are reasonable.

Can I use these images in a software program I am designing?
No, you must obtain a separate License Agreement with us, specific to your needs. Click here for further details.

Can I use these images in a virtual internet environment, such as Second Life?
No. You may use our images to populate your personal environment or world. But you may not create images of our images (prims, etc.) in the native Second Life (or other virtual worlds) file format and resell or give away those images. That is a violation of our copyright and the Digital Millennium Copyright Act. We will prosecute copyright offenders. Please review our End User License Agreement for specific details.

Can I sell my Realworld Imagery images or CDs if I am no longer using them?
No, our imagery may not be resold for any reason. You must destroy the CDs, any backups, and erase all imagery from hard drives or storage devices.

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