World building Help

[Paganpriest]

So first off i'd like to say hello. I have browsed your forums on several occasions but finally decided to join. I am currently working on a big project. I would like to share a bit of it for you and perhaps start a discussion.

I apologize if I sound a bit foolish at any point as I know many of you have years more experience than I do in this.
I'll start with a few premises so that we can get a few things out of the way.
1) I use a mac and therefore I have several limitations when it comes to available programs (no ability to use CC3+ is one example)
2) Whenever possible I go for free options, as this is a hobby and my funds are limited
3) I'm here to learn

So my question, or perhaps more accurately my problem, is that there seems to be no program anywhere that will allow a person to take a drawing (like an Eckert IV projection) and wrap it onto a globe.

When most people think of mapping a fantasy world they tend to draw on a flat surface (or program) using a projection that they are familiar or comfortable with. In my case I used an Eckert IV projection printout and simply sketched the basic landmass shapes. I scanned the image and used google sketchup (taking great pains and hundreds of hours) to make a cad version of my map. From there I was able to manipulated it in many ways, make rough topography lines and figure out mountain ranges, etc. I was also able to make political maps and climate maps. However, when it comes to functionality, in particular measuring distances between points and scaling maps down to specific regions, a cad program is not very optimal.

As the mapping part is essential to my book, and I already have a lot invested into the shapes and locations of my landmasses, can anyone give me some pointers?

I would like to include picture references, but apparently I am unable to (either because I am too new, or for some other reason) so I have included a link instead. Hopefully they work.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1M6...y-FKfenf12nVMm
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1lC...DS6s83ntf1vfx5

[Wingshaw]

I remember hearing once that it's possible to use Google Earth in this way. i.e. you can put your maps over the Earth and it will wrap around and give you all the functionality that Google Earth offers (eg measuring distances, zooming in or out). I've never tried this myself, so I can't promise that it's true or it'll work, but maybe someone else here has tried it, or you can Google it and see if that helps?

Wingshaw

[Rwhyte]

Hello and Welcome! Interesting project. Offering a couple thoughts, and then maybe some recommendations

So my question, or perhaps more accurately my problem, is that there seems to be no program anywhere that will allow a person to take a drawing (like an Eckert IV projection) and wrap it onto a globe.

There is a tool G.Projector that can take a map image and project it from one projection into another, and that can then be wrapped onto a globe, such as in Google Earth. (Eckert IV specifically is not among the input projections, but you may find some creative license here...)

I remember hearing once that it's possible to use Google Earth in this way. i.e. you can put your maps over the Earth and it will wrap around and give you all the functionality that Google Earth offers (eg measuring distances, zooming in or out). I've never tried this myself, so I can't promise that it's true or it'll work, but maybe someone else here has tried it, or you can Google it and see if that helps?

Wingshaw

It is indeed possible in Google Earth Pro (Free and available on a Mac) to add an 'Image Overlay' which can be wrapped around the globe (the Earth, the Moon, or Mars, for that matter). This works best for map images that are equirectangular. Google Earth Tutorial for some more notes on GE in general

GE_Image_Overlay.JPG

All that said, does that make it easier to calculate areas or measure distances for all of your map features? If you already have this linework in (sketchup) or some sort of CAD format, you can already get distances and areas (in 'map dimensions'). All you need is to establish your map scale, and you can expand from map dimensions to 'world dimensions'...

As a recommendation, while Sketchup is easy to get started, you may have found some of its limits. If possible (depending on what version you have), try to export your linework as a DXF, DWG format and more tools will be available.

For a deep dive into the deep end, a full GIS tool like QGIS also free and available on a mac, could be used to do all that you describe. You'd have to jump through several hoops to get there, and there may be some simpler alternatives. Anyways, hope some of that may help.

[Paganpriest]

Thanks to you both. Was not expecting such a quick reply, but also not out of character for this place.

I have found numerous limitations with google sketchup, but it was what I had and was comfortable with at the time. The hard part so far has been related to my first scan. When I initially scanned my pic in it was skewed by some crazy tiny angle and I never quite got the equator line perfectly straight. Also when I was going from paper to the digital form. I wasn't paying much attention to scaling so what should be 1750 km between 0 and 15 degrees lat is actually about 1749.9403684km. and planetary scale makes minor amounts into big headaches sometimes.

I'm considering just recreating it as an equirectangular projection and dealing with the land warp after running it through gprojector. Also I was hoping to work with it on inkscape or the like first and then using the new file to develop projections on gprojector. found some good youtube videos discussing vector mapping using illustrator, but think i might be able to recreate it in a manageable time. Really just wish I could commission some of the first few steps though and be able to afford it. I can't imagine it would be cheap to transfer my concept maps over to a more usable vector format. If anyone knows of someone here who I could talk to about that I have a small amount ($100-200) I would be willing to part with for reasonable quality work. I know this may not be the forum for that so I apologize if that statement is problematic for anyone.