Greetings,

I am hoping someone could give me a "walk" through of what steps would be necessary to create a globe similar to the one in the attached picture.

I am hoping for my end result to be an etched glass globe that I can light from within.

For practice I have created several globes with different materials.

I have no idea how to get the world map, or the longitudinal or latitude lines "etched"

Is there some automatic process?

I've used a program called Paint Shop Pro is has some built in effects for textures like leather, emboss etc.

Is there some equivalent in Maya?

Where can I find, or what can I use to take a 2d drawing of a map and change it so that it looks correct on a sphere?

Can I use PSP and Spherize something ... does that translate into the proper type of image for placing it on a sphere in Maya?

If I am ultimately trying to get the effect of an etched glass globe is using an image even appropriate? Not knowing the answer, I would think that the image would prevent the glass see through effect.

Any recommendations would be most appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
wizzie