Not all hope is lost though! Perhaps you'll be able to find a way to incorporate them into the new planet rendering system in 2.1? :)

Yeah I'll try and figure something out, the most recent planet updates already kind of use a similar base technology that Wube is implementing - I'm already preparing for 2.1 to get the best visuals possible within the new framework.

However - these might still be backwards compatible. So we'll see. Appreciate the feedback!

+1

Hello 0mega42, if you know how to create and work with equirectangular projection I can help you update your codes and integrate with 2.1.

Here is a sample code for overwriting planet image;

local nauvis_pd = data.raw.planet["nauvis"].platform_surface_render_parameters.platform_backdrop
nauvis_pd.planet_surface = {
    filename = "__planet-settings__/graphics/earth-day-equirectangular.png",
    width = 4096,
    height = 2048
}
nauvis_pd.planet_emission = {
    filename = "__planet-settings__/graphics/earth-night-equirectangular.png",
    width = 4096,
    height = 2048
}
nauvis_pd.emission_scales_with_shadow = true

You can checkout my new mod for more fine tuning: https://mods.factorio.com/mod/planet-settings

Hello 0mega42, if you know how to create and work with equirectangular projection I can help you update your codes and integrate with 2.1.

appreciate it! I actually experimented with the new planet rendering system and have no issue working with equirectangular maps - but I'm not able to get a satisfying result with the new system. Since visible planets in space has been updated, I'm gonna keep these renderings in this mod. Might make a new one some day for the new render path, but I'm not a fan.