Take a look at OOTB image component [1]. It shows what you need.Looks like few steps are missing the url you shared, one I could notice is cq:panel .[1] /libs/foundation/components/image/dialog

You are saying at one point this was of type cq:Component?Just wondering, did you checked you project commit history someone may have checked in mistakenly ?What happens when you deploy complete project code on fresh instance?Check the node type of this component in you code repository.

I have never seen this behavior.Can you give more idea on when they are actually turning to nt:folder? After some operation or anytime ?If possible, share screenshot.

You should use hideTabStripItemHere is one example from documentation https://docs.adobe.com/docs/en/cq/5-5/developing/widgets.html#Dynamic Dialogs

This should work<div class="showcase-basic" style="background-image: url(${properties.text @ context='uri'})"> Image </div>** Replace properties.text with homePageBannerComponent.fileReference

Use path property for dialog objectfunction(dialog){console.log(dialog.path);}https://docs.adobe.com/docs/en/cq/5-6/widgets-api/index.html?class=CQ.Dialog

LogViewer – One easy way to debug AEM logs in EclipseLogViewerCheck this: http://adobeaemclub.com/logviewer-one-easy-way-to-debug-aem-logs-in-eclipse/

Check this http://stackoverflow.com/questions/22478787/use-before-submit-event-of-cq5-dialogYou can see how to add beforesubmit to dialogLet me know if you face any issue

Share the code for your WCM class in java

Just wondering.....y these two class names are differentOne in exceptionio.sightly.java.compiler.CompilerException: java.lang.ClassNotFoundException: com.xxxx.dcom.sightly.helpers.components.HomePageBannerComponentand one in sightly file<section data-sly-use.homePageBannerComponent="${'com.prj.dcom....