Quote Originally Posted by Vigilus View Post
@ Selden

Wow! That looks great even in low res. I think this was another way of explaining what Waldronate was talking about earlier (if not feel free to correct me @Waldronate).
I think the processes are similar, although certainly not identical. I prefer scripted solutions, while Waldronate's ReprojectImage has a GUI interface.
I'm going to take some Blender (Orthographic view) renders of the 6 hot-keyed views (left, right, front, back, top, bottom) and see if I can get that to work. I'm trying to take the 3d .obj/jpg file I have and turn it into a high quality, high res 2:1 aspect ratio (equirectangular projection) map.
What types of images did you import to Blender?
(I'm wondering if the use of Blender could be bypassed, with the reprojection done directly, translating just the images.)

However, if the goal is to produce a physical 3D object, .obj models can be used as inputs to 3D printers. I suspect there are better ways to produce accurate spheres with smooth surfaces, though. Or do you intend to produce globes with bumpy, mountainous surfaces?

Coloring the surfaces of those objects is a separate issue, of course, which is what I'm assuming you're trying to do.

@Waldronate How to set up my outputs so that your program can take high resolution files to map it? Trying for 8k resolution as an output if I can get it. Thanks!
What do you consider to be "high resolution?"
Unfortunately, the current version of ReprojectImage seems to have a maximum output resolution of 4Kx2K.

FWIW, the command line program that I use (MMPS project) was able to convert an 8Kx8K orthographic projection to a 16Kx8K equirectangular projection.
Getting the precision of the equirectangular projection is key, as I'm trying to have as little distortion as possible when this gets applied to the manufacturer's template. Every small distortion can undo the carefully crafted design that makes the piece so eye catching. The point of the project is to prove that human designs are superior to computer generated RNG "designs", so distortion hurts that cause.

That's a good thing for cartographers everywhere, it increases our market value directly in an employer's eyes.

From a practical board game perspective I can touch it up easily enough and it will look great.

The original artwork was a slowly, exhaustively designed hand painted globe, so its from 3d to 2d; you probably know this, but I state this again just in case.

@Gidde Thanks!
(to rephrase my initial question)
How are you translating the globe that you created into surface texture images?
Are you using a camera to take pictures of it? If so, what model of camera is it and how many megapixels are involved (since that's how cameras often are rated)?