PDA

View Full Version : Modeling earth/continents

lupedelupe
06-22-2009, 12:53 PM
Hi everyone,

Wondering how this (below) was done...

http://www.crestock.com/images/470000-479999/475687-xs.jpg

(If you look closely you will see that the 'ground' bits have thickness)

I can understand that a vector of the continents could have been imported then wrapped around a sphere and lofted to give it thickness.

BUT

... is there a way to extract this shape from just an image mapped to a sphere?

Cheers...
Piflik
06-22-2009, 03:23 PM
I would do this with a B/W mask. You'll get one when you're looking for earth specular maps. This I would use as a displacement map.
lupedelupe
06-22-2009, 03:30 PM
Thanks for your feedback.

I understand what you are saying. Is it possible to collapse the displacement to an actual mesh?

Cheers
Piflik
06-22-2009, 04:10 PM
Don't know about other programms, but in Max you can use a Displacement Modifier. You'll need a very dense mesh, though...
lupedelupe
06-22-2009, 04:20 PM
Cheers - will try that.
CGTalk Moderation
06-22-2009, 04:20 PM
This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.