3D rotating earth & grid (example)

Hi everybody.

Here's an example file that shows one way to fake a rotating
earth using the lens-object. May need a bit working on.

Have fun, use and share!

Cool =D

Yeah - nice!

I think this is a great idea you have there.

ye good idea, you could further it with the idea of Google Earth, such has changing the movement with the keyboard or even mouse (drag and rotate or just using the arrow keys etc)
something like that would be rly cool to see!
Well done!

Pretty cool <img src="/center/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Great things could happen with this. <img src="/center/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

It couldn't be too large though because of frame rates ( 5 on my computer: bad)

I played with this last night, good example and techneques.

It looks a little jittery, any ideas how to make it smoother?

@workshop2:
That's actually quite a nice idea. When I find some time I will give it a shot.

I think the following should be possible:
_in/decrease speed
_rotate using the mouse
_rotate in EVERY direction (not only east/west)
_zoom in/out

Any other suggestions?

Use TF's 3d mesh object!

I don't think rotating in every direction would be possible with lens, because the polar ice caps would appear as a stripe <img src="/center/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

I've modified this with a rather ugly kind of zoom and spin thingy. One problem is that you can go "beyond" the northpole. I'd don't know how to fix it. Thank you raven for the example. It's fun.

Well...I didn't quite manage to do what I planned. Instead I
added another feature. There now is a 2D map. If you hover
over the continets you get some information about its name,
size and inhabitants.
It still is far from being perfect. Antarctica for example has
a little hover-bug, but after all it's just an example.