Going to try to pan across an image, use cookie cutter to make it round, then spherize.
What 3D program? Are there any out there for free?
I'd buy one, but then I'd probably just buy a loop from someone if I'm going to spend money (thus save time).
Why not go look for an animated .gif file of a globe that someone's already made. I found one sometime ago for a short video I made in June. Google "rotating globe gif file".