Post/Author/DateTime	Post
#1 Slit518 Aug 05, 2015 13:00:53	I want to make a physical globe for my game world.  What is the best way of making a globe or going about this project?   I don't remember if I asked this forum before, and when I tried to search it under "topics I am following", I had no results.   Also, I need a good "lifelike" map generator, so I can layout the maps before hand, so I can start painting and applying them to the game world.  I really want to bring my world to life!   Thanks in advance for any help/advice you can give me!
#2 OoftaMeg Aug 05, 2015 13:14:51	I was going to do this at one point, my plan was either a cheap inflatable ball or large balloon covered with paper mache. You can get inflatable globes in various sizes. Alas, the project never got past planning stages. For digital mapping I use tools from profantasy.com. The tools take a bit of work to learn but give some pretty amazing results.
#3 edwin_su Aug 05, 2015 13:38:35	OoftaMeg wrote:
#4 Slit518 Aug 05, 2015 14:59:09	OoftaMeg wrote:
#5 OoftaMeg Aug 05, 2015 15:21:04	Once the paper mache dries, it doesn't matter if the ball deflates. Depending on how big you want your globe you could also go to a local craft store, the might have a styrofoam ball big enough.
#6 iserith Aug 05, 2015 15:44:03	I used one of those long balloons to make my paper mache globe and when I was done all the players did was laugh at it.   So much for my Chronicles of Tallywacker campaign.
#7 BRJN Aug 05, 2015 16:03:51	Traveller: Scout Service had a very complicated world-generating ruleset.  They used a d20 covered in smaller hexes to approximate a sphere.  Also the D&D World Builders Guidebook has a chapter devoted to whole-world-sized considerations.  Traveller: 2300 tried a simpler verson where the size of the d20, rather than the scale per hex, would vary based on the diameter of the world.   Personally, I want to pull a prank based on the old legend "the world is shaped like a turtle shell": I need somebody's pet turtle and some water-resistant paints.
#8 Slit518 Aug 05, 2015 18:43:54	OoftaMeg wrote:
#9 LordCorwin Aug 06, 2015 8:52:31	Why not just buy a globe, of whatever quality and size within your budget, and paint over it?
#10 Slit518 Aug 06, 2015 20:00:49	LordCorwin wrote:
#11 ZHDarkstar Aug 07, 2015 11:27:25	Depends on the material of the globe itself, be it plastic, wood, or metal. Someone at a local arts & crafts store could help you locate the ideal paint. You might also have to use paint thinner on the preexisting map if it's painted on, as it may have a coat of sealant on it that would prevent new paint from sticking. When talking with the store employee, I'd say that the globe is for a school project to avoid any funny looks when mentioning D&D. Nerd culture may be mainstream now, but us dice rollers are still considered to be among the nerdiest of the nerds.
#12 Slit518 Aug 07, 2015 16:52:23	ZHDarkstar wrote:
#13 Slit518 Aug 15, 2015 18:48:01	Well, I purchased the materials for my globe today.  I went with LordCorwin's idea and purchased a globe that has a 12" diameter. I also purchased some modge podge, acrylic paints, and those scenic turf materials. Next up is overlaying the globe in a white circumfrence, drawing the world map out over it, and then painting and texturing it.  This will be a project!
#14 Mad_Jack Aug 16, 2015 14:12:29	All you'll need to do to make sure the paint sticks well is to hit it with a coat of primer or rough up the surface slightly with sandpaper or an emory cloth to give the acrylic paint something to grip to and it won't be a problem...   Either prime the globe white or do your first coat of paint in white to cover over the existing details.   I'd sugest you map out your entire campaign world on a flat paper first, then use a pencil to lightly sketch in the details (outlines, borders words, etc.) before you try to paint them on.   Bear in mind that if you want the latitude and longitude lines on your new globe that you'll have to redraw them in...