[Editor’s note: I am pleased to announce Tom Patterson’s new Natural Earth III. This dataset is optimized for 3d visualization of the earth from space and includes an optimized cloud layer and enhanced colors for broadcast. iPhone and desktop wallpapers are available. Tom will formally present this new dataset at the SoC summer school in Scotland next week. I’m guessing they’ll be a repeat at this year’s NACIS conference as well.. Dig in!]
Republished from ShadedRelief.org.
Natural Earth III is raster map data for creating illustrations and animations of our planet with a plausibly realistic appearance. Using the data requires 3D or mapping software. Legibility is a key feature. Compared to photographs of Earth taken from space, Natural Earth III offers brighter colors, fewer clouds over land areas, distinct environmental zones, 3D mountains, and continuous rivers. Other features include:
- Interchangeable data files that align precisely with each other.
- Georeferencing information.
- Seamless edge matching at 180 degrees longitude.
- High resolution: 16,200 x 8,100 pixels (80 arc second).
- Natural Earth III is free and without use restrictions.
Tom Patterson, US National Park Service (Disclaimer)
- Tom’s announcement page
- Download texture maps
- Download clouds
- Download extra data
- Download scene files
- View image gallery
Data hosted by: Springer Cartographics.
Tags: clouds, earthIII, NACIS, natural earth, shaded relief, soc, springer, tom patterson