Mapzen's novel Walkabout map mode uses a technique called sphere mapping to shade the altitude data. It is a a technique borrowed from video games in addition to VFX to inexpensively add together item to 3d objects.
The technique is explained in addition to illustrated amongst a pose out of interactive maps inwards this Sphere Maps weblog post. If y'all aren't that interested inwards the explanation in addition to then y'all tin simply skip to the terminate of the weblog shipping service to play amongst the Sphere Map Demo which allows y'all to exercise your ain multi-colored shaded relief maps inwards real-time.
The demonstrate includes a color-picking tool. Just pick your color from this tool in addition to pigment into the circle on the trivial sheet higher upwards the color-picking tool. As y'all pigment into the sheet the terrain map is automatically updated amongst your alternative of colors. Try out the full-screen Sphere Map Demo for the best results.
