Indie dev ditches satellite data for generated textures to build a 3D map world

tomjohndesign · x · 2026-11-03

Designer tomjohndesign shares that after about a week of trying to make satellite data work for his map project, he found it easier to build a generated-texture world instead — and quips he's "coming for Apple Maps."

A useful takeaway for geo/3D visualization builders: procedural generated textures can sidestep licensing, resolution, and processing costs of real satellite imagery.

Related event: Indie Dev Ditches Satellite Data for Generative Textures in 3D Map World(2 posts)→

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