Texturing Workflow?

[AlexanderSmith]

I am being driven insane by a block in my ability. I can't seem to make any interesting looking textures. I think the problem is my workflow, or something I'm doing in the texturing process that is screwing me up.

The way I make my textures, is a method taught to me by another texture artist. The general idea is to make all the basic shapes and minor shading on 50% gray colored layers, then, use seamless photographic textures as overlays on top of those layers, and mix and match the textures until the materials look right. Problem is, they always look so boring!

My goal for texturing quality is stuff like this:



But I have NO idea how the heck the artist made this, and reverse engineering textures is hard. I don't really know how to make texture bases, like metal and the like, and mine always look weird in comparison to other ones. I can see where the artist used sharp brushes, and definitely some custom ones (which I have started doing) but my textures don't look anywhere near this quality.

Another problem of mine is color. I have a terrible time making my textures look interesting color-wise. They're usually gray with some large color area, or rust or something like that (I make mostly sci-fi textures right now). What's the best way to apply color?

[Dennispls]

Well the thing with these kind of things is finding the right photos that you can use as an overlay.
All the other adjustments like wear and tear can be done using the dodge and burn tool or with damage that you found on photos and manipulate them using layer masks.
Also play with the contract,sharpen filter and the hue settings to get something you like.

[AlexanderSmith]

Hm. I found some interesting metal tutorials that look quite good, but I'd like to be able to use photos, but I don't have any idea about what my photos should look like.

Does anyone here have any metal bases that are good, that they wouldn't mind sharing? I could really use some, or maybe some tutorials on making good photo-type bases?

[Dennispls]

It depends on what kind of metal you want to go for.
On cgtextures.com there are a lot of good ones you can use.
Im sure you can cook up something with that.
Or make your own photos.
At this point i think you dont need a tutorial on how to make metal but just play around in photoshop and do some trial and error.

[AlexanderSmith]

You're probably right. I'll what I can do about it. [CG Textures] - The worlds largest free texture site is my #1 texture source, and the textures are really good, I just have a hard time making them to what I want. I guess part of the problem is my lack of metal surface references where I live. I like to look at real world objects and try to understand their appearance, but there's not much metal around my location.

[Dennispls]

There is always stuff to find on the net.
And dont be affraid to show your progress so we can comment on it and help you get better.

[P2xelgen]

They are some great looking textures:
I'm not the best in CS and I to would love to learn more.

I find te best way is like this:
1 modela a high poly model and bake an AO map.
2 get your photos ready and start overlaying on to the AO map
3 throw in a gray scale texture and use that to paint in any detail such as scratches.
4 find photos that may have good dirt or cracks and heal them into the other images.
5 Just lots of fine tuning.


But I to am a noob...

[doylle]

Hmm, nobody seems to talk about normal maps here. The textures you show are not flat diffuse textures, there's way to much light information in the textures for that. A good understanding of how everything works (normal, specular, diffuse) is therefor essential imo, if you want to create the same kind of material.

For more inspiration, you definitely should have a look at the folowing threads

http://www.game-artist.net/forums/wo...ture-pack.html
http://www.game-artist.net/forums/fi...6k-warned.html
Game Artist - Texturing Workflow Tutorial

That last one can probably help you on the way...

cheers

[ahriman]

Check the following tutorial:

Game Artist - Hard Surface Texture Painting

[AlexanderSmith]

About the above textures, I know they have far too much lighting information in them. I think the artist was trying to show them off (diagonal gradients and such).

Just so everyone knows, my main problem is with level textures, not scenery, character, or weapon textures.

Thanks for the links.