Is it a valid approach to simply import a pre-binarized hemiphoto image (sky is white, buidlings/trees are black) into RayMan for the SVF?
Additionally, I am researching the microclimate beneath trees, as such my hemiphotos contain mostly tree canopy. Should I be aiming to retain the gaps within the canopy when binarizing the image?
Lastly, what do the Albedo and Emiss. Coeff. variables in the SVF Editor Window refer to?
sure. Importing a black/white fisheye image will work perfectly well.
Depending on what you are going to research, you of course should try to retain the gaps within the canopy. As the trees will eventually move due to wind, the exact sunshine true/false might not be reliable, though.
Albedo and emissivity specified in the Horizon limitation input window will be considered in terms of a spatial average.