texturing
With a tendency to create low polygon models, I include more surface information in the texture maps. The model of Kow Yokoyama's 'Super Armored Fighting Suit' is a good example of the techniques I use in texturing.
The rendered sample below shows the model with no textures applied.
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surface mapping
My first step is to create a basic bump map that adds to the model all of the surface details left out of the geometry. Here you can see the first bump map applied as a color map to the model.
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This initial bump map is used to generate most of the other maps. Information is added to the initial bump map to reflect details added in the color or specular map. The final bump map for the back section of the main body is shown here at 20% of its original size.
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Specularity is handled in a similar manner, with the specular map shown below for the same section, and a sample of the specularity applied to the left.
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color mapping A lot of real world surfaces are layered. An object might be made of one type of material, but it's then painted or lacquered over with new layers of color or finish. Dust and lighting can create additional layers, while damage can cut through outer layers to expose inner ones. When building a color map, I like to mimic this concept. I will create layers of color and texture on top of each other, often letting traits of one layer show through the next. Even within a layer I often create additional sub-layers of noise or color resolution to increase the depth and scalability of the texture. Each of the textures below are shown at 20% of their actual size. |
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basic bump map The basic bump map provides a starting point for the color map. |
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object color Typically the color of the unfinished object. If the surface is scratched, this will be the deepest color that shows. |
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corrosion The next layer is a corrosion map, which provides consistent wear effects across the surface. |
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factory primer The first layer of paint. In this case, a primer to provide a base for additional paint applications. |
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prior paint schemes A second layer of paint, the machine's previous camouflage. |
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surface color The top layer of paint, showing the current paint scheme. |
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wash and dry brush Based on scale model finishing techniques, low-lights and highlights are added to enhance the highs and lows of the model. |
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