---
title: "How to create a custom 3D globe | Guides | Tutorials"
description: "Create an interactive 3D globe with custom texture images."
---

> For AI agents: a documentation index is available at [/llms.txt](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/llms.txt). Markdown versions of all pages are available by appending .md to any URL.

# How to create a custom 3D globe

An interactive 3D globe is a modern way of presenting your online map. MapTiler has all the tools you need to create a map and apply the [globe projection](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/sdk-js/#globe-or-mercator-projection) to it, turning a flat surface into a more accurate spherical shape. You can choose any of our [ready-made maps](https://www.maptiler.com/maps/) and use MapTiler SDK JS to [turn on the globe projection](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/sdk-js/examples/globe-projection/) with a single line of code, and voilà! Get a 3D globe in the selected map design.

In this tutorial, we’ll teach you something a bit more advanced: creating a 3D globe with custom texture, using an image of your choice. As an example, we’ll use Cassini’s terrestrial globe from [David Rumsey’s website](https://www.davidrumsey.com/blog/2009/9/7/cassini-terrestrial-and-celestial-globes-1790). If you follow along, you’ll get this beautiful 18th century globe up and running:

![Custom 3D globe – result](./custom_3d_globe.webp)

## Before you start

Before you dive into globemaking, make sure that:

-   You’re logged in to your [MapTiler account](https://cloud.maptiler.com/). If you don’t have one, create it—it’s fast and free.
-   You have [MapTiler Engine installed](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/guides/map-tiling-hosting/data-processing/getting-started/#install-maptiler-engine) on your computer. It’s free for non-commercial use.

## Get source data

The source data for your historical globe is the image of its surface. Here’s how to get it:

1.  [Download the texture of Cassini’s terrestrial globe here.](https://rumseygeo.s3.amazonaws.com/CassiniWorldGlobe1790_TIF.zip) Note that some web browsers may consider the file suspicious, because it’s a ZIP archive. If the download gets blocked, allow it manually. For your ease of mind, scan the file with an antivirus program before opening it.
2.  Unpack the ZIP archive. It contains a single GeoTIFF file named _CassiniWorldGlobe1790.tif_.

Alternatively, you can use any picture with **side ratio 2 : 1** (fits the total 360 degrees of longitude and 180 degrees of latitude). The bigger the size and resolution of the image, the more you’ll be able to zoom in without the globe surface going blurry.

## Prepare source data

Before you can use the texture image, you’ll need to transform it into **map tiles**. That’s the raw map-ready material for a zoomable map. The map tiles come in a container file called a **tileset**.

To prepare your tileset, run **MapTiler Engine** and open your texture image in it. MapTiler Engine will guide you through the whole tiling setup, step by step. Here’s the information you’ll need along the way:

1.  On the first screen, open your texture image.
2.  The next step depends on whether the image contains geodata or not. If it does, you get a preview of the image with the geodata displayed next to it. If not, MapTiler Engine asks you to specify it. Use these settings:
    -   For **Geolocation**, select **Bounding box** and enter the values `-180 -90 180 90` to cover the whole world.
    -   For **Coordinates**, enter the EPSG code `4326` to look up and use _WGS84_. That’s the standard system.
3.  On the **Output format** screen, select _GeoPackage_.
4.  On the **Output settings** screen, check the box _Non-commercial use_. Otherwise keep the recommended values.
5.  Select where to save the resultant file on your local drive.
6.  On the **Upload options** screen, select _MapTiler Cloud_.
7.  On the **Upload** screen, you can edit the name which your new tileset will have in MapTiler.
8.  If you’re using MapTiler Engine for the first time, you’ll be asked to log in to your MapTiler account as the last step.

When all the tiling parameters are set, MapTiler Engine automatically starts processing your image. Once it’s done, you’ll find your new tileset in MapTiler [in the Tiles section](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/), ready for use.

Tip

Tiling is also possible directly in your MapTiler account, **online**. Check the [compatible formats](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/guides/maps-apis/maps-platform/dataset-upload-formats-and-limits/), and if your custom image is compliant, you can [upload it](https://cloud.maptiler.com/tiles/new) to have it processed and prepared fully automatically.

## Create map in Map Designer

You’ve got the material ready, let’s use it to create the globe. If you’re a seasoned developer, you can do it programmatically with the help of **MapTiler SDK JS**: first [add the tiled image as a raster source](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/sdk-js/examples/map-tiles/), then [turn on the globe projection](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/sdk-js/examples/globe-projection/). If you prefer a no-code approach, use our Map Designer tool:

1.  In MapTiler, go to **Maps** > **New map** > [Create blank map](https://cloud.maptiler.com/maps/create/empty). Give a name to your map. Then you’ll land on a page with the map preview (which is now, as expected, blank).
2.  Use the **Customize** button to open the map design editor.
3.  In the menu panel, go to **Data sources** and add a new map data source using the plus button. From a list of all data sources available in your MapTiler account, select your globe texture tileset. If you kept the default name, it will be listed as _CassiniWorldGlobe1790_.
4.  The data source is now associated with the map, but not actually used yet. Go to **Layers** and add a new map layer. You’ll get a list of data sources to choose from, including the one you added in the previous step. Select the layer in the source (there will be only one) and add it to the map. This should fill the editor with your texture image.
5.  Now go to **Settings**, section **Projection**, and switch the type to **Globe**. The flat texture image transforms into a sphere. Rotate it around and enjoy!
6.  Before you leave Map Designer, don’t forget to **Save** and **Publish** your work. _Publishing_ means that the globe is ready to be shared with the world, but it’s not actually visible to anyone unless you take further steps.

![Customize menu](./Customize_menu.png)

## Get map source code

To use the prepared 3D globe in your web application, you’ll need the source code. See [how to use your map](https://docs.maptiler.com/guides/using-map/) for different options how to get it.

If you want to use specifically the **Cesium JS** library to build your globe, see [how to use Cesium JS](https://docs.maptiler.com/cesium/) instead.

## Useful links

-   [Globe vs Mercator (flat) projection](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/sdk-js/#globe-or-mercator-projection)
-   [How to turn on the globe projection](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/sdk-js/examples/globe-projection/)
-   [More globe examples and tutorials](https://docs-qmgv.pages.dev/sdk-js/examples/?q=globe)