Photo source is the only way to create good textures?

[Chavvo]

I was checking some game textures (Tutorials and etc) over this and other forums and I didn't notice just a single map that don't use photosource.

Almost every tutorial from the game-artist.net request a download of a photo to blend.

Look: http://www.game-artist.net/forums/spotl ... l-map.html

At least 2 download requests.

I ask because I'm starting to create my own maps, and is kinda "strange" when you are without internet became unable to go to cgtextures to get some materials to create good texts.

Photo sources sounds like cheating, if you know what I mean.

[ng.aniki]

Well, yeah...

If you want to create realistic textures, using photo sources is the quickest way to have good results.

But I don't really understand what's your point in this post ?

[Surfa]

Well there is normally 3 ways I might go about creating a texture (although they can easily overlap). The first way is photo-sourced (this works well for creating realistic textures quickly). The second one is I make a rough zbrush/mudbox sculpt of parts of the texture then render out a normal/ao map from this, then I add details in photoshop using filters and custom brushes. The third option is completely hand-painted (although I suck at this), this is normal done when creating textures in the world of warcraft style.

[Chavvo]

Well, yeah...

If you want to create realistic textures, using photo sources is the quickest way to have good results.

But I don't really understand what's your point in this post ?

I was wondering if photo sources is the ONLY way to create realistic maps, wondering about the photoshop limits, get it?

I create this topic considering the situation of a texture artist on a studio with no internet connection (or temporarily). How does he gonna making the texts if the only way (i think) to make them is using the sources from internet? (Considering he has no sources on a media or in the computer he is using at moment).

[PhilipK]

It's always as people said up to what style you're going for AND what kind of tech you're using. And personally I use a mix of various things usually. Textures nowdays consist of different components that IMO should be looked at as just that: components that together creates a surface. I think a lot of people still see the colormap/diffuse map as the "actual texture" (of course some games may only use diffuse). And I see all I do as iterative processes and I never see anything I do as 100% done. Take it to a good level and go back IF you get time to polish some more.

But to the point. I've heard this discussion a lot of times. There really is no cheating when it comes to creating games. If I am to create a bunch of photoreal textures and I paint everything by hand just for the sake of not "cheating" and it takes me one day to create one texture. If I instead used photos/a mix of photos and painting etc. perhaps I could be able to create 10 textures with the same or better suited quality I'd say I'd be a much more efficient artist then. So yes I'd say it's possible to not use photos and achieve the same quality granted you spend ages on it. If I was an employer and saw that I'd start thinking I'm loosing a lot of money

Bottom line: The only thing that matters is the end result and the time it took you to get there. Not how you got there. And any employer who says otherwise I wouldn't want to work with.

[ElectroSheep]

Check this one : http://www.mapzoneeditor.com/

It's a free tileable generic texture editor i use it and it's very intereting.

[ShockaPop]

When you are online, download as much materials as you can, make a good library of materials. When you go offline, you have everything you need.

[Schmung]

Check this one : http://www.mapzoneeditor.com/

It's a free tileable generic texture editor i use it and it's very intereting.

Have to say many thanks for this, just downloaded this yesterday and it's really nifty. Quite simple to use once you get your head round the concepts and what nodes can link to what. very useful to generate a template or base texture that you can then refine in photoshop. Great for bricks and stuff as I had a really hard time getting them to tile nicely when using photosourced stuff.

[keres]

I recently bought a wacom because I want to get to the point where I can (for them most part) make all my textures by hand. Whether they be baked from models/sculpts or hand painted doesn't matter. It'll take time but I look forward to making whatever textures I want regardless of whether or not I have it in a picture file on my computer. I used photoref for quite some time now, though. It's nice if that is what you are going for.

On the flip side, good cameras cost lots of money. It sucks really bad.

[nikjerry]

Yes keres, I totally agree with you. As I also think the same. I have read this all of the stuff and I want to say that Photo source is the one that can be used to create a textures. Without it we didn't get any of the idea about that.

[Warby]

I was wondering if photo sources is the ONLY way to create realistic maps, wondering about the photoshop limits, get it?

no you could alternatively try to become as good as this guy http://www.bertmonroy.com/

and than you could just hand paint photo-real textures !

which is an absurd waste of time if you ask me ... but you would get nothing but respect and adoration from me anyway if you ever get that good !