(NOT COMPLETED YET - RF 12/20/2001)

Insert final images here

Purpose

In this Tutorial, I step through the process I used to create the textures for an Earth-like planet using Photoshop. I do not explain how to apply the images in any specific 3D application, however I do provide links to tutorials that do. This tutorial focuses on how I created the textures necessary to make a unique color, bump, reflection, and specular map for an Earth-like planet. I also briefly explain how I made a quick cloud map. Please note that I have a limited knowledge of Photoshop. Thus, the methods I describe may have alternatives that would be more appropriate. In any case, if you follow my instructons below, you will be able to make images like these.

Insert Images we will be making

Color Map

Bump Map

Specular Highlights

Reflection

Clouds

Requirements

• A 3D render package and basic understanding of creating a sphere and sucesfully shading it
• Photoshop (I used 5.0.2), standard filters
• Approximatly an hour of your time

Determine the Resolution You Want

Bascially, how close do you want to be able to get before you'll start to see pixillation? This can be difficult to predict and I could offer some suggestions, but instead I'll just show a sample I used to determine the pixilation for a close image using a 1000x500 pixel texture map.

You'll notice that pixillation is very prevalent in the image above (right). Obviously, for closer shots it is recommended that a different model and texture be created.

Create New Image

In this case, I used 1024x512. I like a 2:1 ratio in multiples of 64. This means that the width of the image is twice as large as the height and is a multiple of 64. I do this so that I can use the Render> Clouds filter and it is tileable. To assure that this tutorial will work, be sure that your height and width are multiples of 64. I recommend a first attempt using 1024x512. Convert the background to a layer by double clicking it, call it 'landmass'.

Use Clouds Filter

Set the foreground and background colors to default (black and white) by pressing 'd'. Use Filter> Render> Clouds on the landmass layer.

Use Difference Clouds Filter

Apply Render> Difference Clouds. I do this to distribute the coloring a little more, leading to more interesting continent shapes. In my case, I used difference clouds three times. Press Ctrl-F twice to repeat the last filter. Again, this arbitrary and up to your discression.

Add Ocean and Ice Layers

Add two new layers. Lable one 'ice', move the other below landmass and lable it 'ocean'.

Create Landmass

Select the landmass layer and adjust the levels by selecting Image> Adjust> Levels (or just hit Ctrl-L). The levels window will open showing a histogram of the landmass layer. What we are going to do is tighten the levels so that only a specific range of the shades of gray are converted to black and white. The black area will represent the land in the future images, the white will be the ocean. To make the contrast of black and white, I arbitratily drag the left and right sliders until the image looks like one below. The amount of land and ocean is up to you, just adjust the sliders accordingly.

Now I used Filter> Other> Offset... to adjust the land area so it is more centered. I enter values into the Offset window until I am satisfied with the image. Be sure that Wrap Around is selected (lower left). Note that becuase the landmass layer was made with clouds so that the seams meet. Next I used a hard white paintbrush and removed some of the land area by painting over it.

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Lastly, change the mode of the landmass layer to multiply. This will make darker areas more opaque.

Create Ocean Texture

Now we will make the oceans. I like a little bit darker ocean near the poles so select the ocean layer and change the background color to a dark blue and foreground color to a lighter blue. Use the Reflected Gradient fill. Click on an area near the center of the image and hold the shift key down and drag the gradient tool line to near the top border. It is important that the ocean gradient is horizontal so that the seam doesn't show.

Create Ice Texture

No

NEW LAYER

LAYER OPTIONS

Links to Reference Images and Tutorials:

http://home.sol.no/~oera/How2/Earth1.htm