Here's the image again, but with some arrows to where I have questions.

1. Just wondering how to do a sky background in maya? I used use Electric Image and they way I did it there, I used a Hemisphere shape and slapped a cloud texture on it. Anyone know of a free sky/clouds shader out there?

2. How would I go about deforming the ground a bit so it's not soo straight? displacement map?

3. If you refer to my quick sketch, I have a step bridge that I want to add. Is there a way to make one wood panel, attach it to a curve and then duplicate the panel along the curve?

Thanks,
George