Natural Earth III

[TheBlackHole]

Extremely hi-rez maps, probably the biggest I've ever seen. You might want to darken these, though.
http://www.shadedrelief.com/natural3/index.html

[CCC]

There is also Blue Marble using accurate color reproduction along with there high resolution imagery.

http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/BlueMarble/BlueMarble_monthlies.php

Next Generation Sets:

http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_set.php?categoryID=2355

[TheBlackHole]

I already knew of Blue Marble, but thanks for the link anyway. 

[CCC]

These are larger and more color accurate if that is what you need. 21600 x 21600 JPEG (11.4MB) Also they do not need to be darkened as the color is as close as it gets. However the cloud maps in your link look better then most out there.

Also here:
http://visibleearth.nasa.gov/view_detail.php?id=8391          ''43200 x 86400''    being raw topography which is a little ''size insane'' in many cases for most users. You would have to have a lot of ram to open imagery such as this.

[TheBlackHole]

I don't really need any of those maps (except perhaps Celestia). I thought people might like those.

[CCC]

Celestia?

[Henry Blewer]

Celestia is a planetarium software. Similar to Stellarium or Distant Suns.

[TheBlackHole]

But it's more than simply a planetarium. It's more like a simulator that lets you fly between stars and planets, land on an asteroid, visit the moons of Pluto and more.
http://www.shatters.net/celestia/

[CCC]

Ah, that Celestia. Yes, i have been using that on and off for years. Do you make planet maps for Celestia as well?

[TheBlackHole]

I make maps for Celestia all the time! You can see some of my maps on my site Maps And Such (click the globe under my avatar)(just updated!). Has anyone used them in TG2?

[CCC]

I make maps for Celestia all the time! You can see some of my maps on my site Maps And Such (click the globe under my avatar)(just updated!). Has anyone used them in TG2?

Not that i am aware of.

I noticed on your page that you are a Genetica fan as well. There are a few nice "planet" based textures and tips that were created with that software there that you can delve into for Celestia etc...

http://www.spiralforums.biz/index.php?showtopic=9355&hl=Planets

http://www.spiralforums.biz/index.php?showtopic=9468&hl=Planets

http://www.spiralforums.biz/index.php?showtopic=277&hl=Planets     ...the good stuff is mostly here!

http://www.spiralforums.biz/index.php?showtopic=9712&hl=Earth

http://www.spiralforums.biz/index.php?showtopic=4808&hl=Planets

http://www.spiralforums.biz/index.php?showtopic=4259&hl=Planets

http://www.spiralforums.biz/index.php?showtopic=150&hl=Planets

[TheBlackHole]

3rd one=WOW!!!!