3D is a varied field with many uses, from product design to movie effects, animation and architecture. Certain elements cross all of these areas though. With that in mind, I've come up with my top texturing tips for working with materials and design.
If you need the tools, see our pick of the best 3D modelling software. We also have a roundup of the best 3D art for inspiration. In the meantime, here are my tips.
Rob Redman
Rob is the editor of ImagineFX and former editor of 3D World. He works in 3D and VFX for TV, film and web. His background is in art and photography, and he’s a keen musician and guitar builder.
If you’re stuck for inspiration, why not try recreating a favourite model to see if you can replicate its texture work. This is a good workout for your observational eye too.
It’s easy to focus on the textures, but don’t overlook other material attributes like the IOR (index of refraction), roughness or the subsurface scattering, all of which are equally important.
It’s easy to stick to material balls for testing, but break away and be playful sometimes as well, using different setups to try out potential materials.
Everything will be easier if you always work to real-world scale. Not only will your renderer love you, but any model you make can be dropped into any scene.
Ask yourself if a small detail really needs geometry, or if a texture can do the job without the time investment or memory overheads.
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This content originally appeared in ImagineFX magazine, the world's leading digital art and fantasy art magazine. ImagineFX is on sale in the UK, Europe, United States, Canada, Australia and more. Limited numbers of ImagineFX print editions are available for delivery from ouronline store (the shipping costs are included in all prices).
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Rob Redman is the editor of ImagineFX magazines and former editor of 3D World magazine. Rob has a background in animation, visual effects, and photography.
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