Bend/distort image to be wrapped around sphere

[miikka1978]

Is there some distort plugin or some easy way to edit image with basic tools to distort image? I would like to create an Image with stars for a 3D print lithophane. The lithophane is a Christmas ball and there is a tool (https://lithophanemaker.com/Lithophane Sphere.html) to wrap the image around the ball but I would like to improve the mapping of the image.

 

In attachment you can see the 3D Lithophane model with poor mapping. I would assume that this kind of distort (example with brick texture) would solve the problem.

 

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Have you tried the Shape3D plugin? It has a number of mapping options for spheres

 

[Pixey]

There is also a simpler method, but without 'positioning' like Shape 3D has, called Inside Out.

 

 

[Ego Eram Reputo]

Shape 3D full sphere map...

 

[miikka1978]

Thanks for the tips. Based on the testing I see that Shape3d and InsideOut are maybe working differently what I am looking for. I can map the image nicely with Shape3d (Sphere) but is there some way to export the rectangular map of the sphere? I would still need a rectangular map created that I could use in the Lithophane creation tool.

 

I would assume that the mapped output could look something like below "bend/distort" rectangular image.

 

I think that this is Photoshop Plugin that produces this kind of output: http://richardrosenman.com/shop/spherical-mapping-corrector/

 

Bend/distort Image

Edited August 25, 2022 by miikka1978

[null54]

1 hour ago, miikka1978 said:

I think that this is Photoshop Plugin that produces this kind of output:

 

You can use the PSFilterPdn plugin to run that Photoshop filter:

 

[Ego Eram Reputo]

 

Shape 3D uses the active layer. I'm not sure what you're asking when you say...

 

7 minutes ago, miikka1978 said:

is there some way to export the rectangular map of the sphere?

 

Try a basic patten to see how the plugin wraps the image.

 

[miikka1978]

12 hours ago, null54 said:

 

You can use the PSFilterPdn plugin to run that Photoshop filter:

 

Big thanks for this info!