sphere03.r

# Rotate the model with the north pole up
rgl.viewpoint(zoom = .60, theta = 180, phi = 90)

# Tilt the rotational axis with 23.5 degrees
# with a slighlty better view of the Northern hemisphere
U <- par3d("userMatrix")
par3d(userMatrix = rotate3d(U, pi*23.5/180, -0.7,-0.3,0))

# Spin the model and save movie frames
movie3d(spin3d(axis = c(0, 0, 1), rpm = 15), duration = 4,
        convert = F, dir = getwd())

# Convert movie frames to animated GIF
shell("convert movie*.png -delay 20 -dither FloydSteinberg -colors 128 globe.gif")
# remove individual animation frames after creating GIF
file.remove(list.files()[grepl("^movie.*png$", list.files())])