guidelines for metal

[leigh]

Metal gets its realism from its reflections. So the most important thing with metal is to provide it with a proper environment (whether it's actual geometry or an image based one). So be sure to place it in an environment and then to create detailed reflection mapping for it. In the example you suggested of a car, you'd have varying levels or reflectivity for the car paint, the scratches and the underlying metal.

[EricChadwick]

Also check here.
http://67.15.36.49/ffa/tutorials/photoshop/worn_metal/metal.asp

[jedimaster]

Ok i was messing with it last night and the spot im running into trouble is the paint.(by the way i use lightwave and photoshop just fyi). I used the hammered led preset and got pretty close to the under metal texture i wanted. the trouble came when trying to get the paint immage i put over that to look right. for the paint im going for a military olive drab kinda thing. if you have ever seen a military truck i want my paint to react to light in the same way.

anyone know any settings that i could start from? textureing is my weakest skill so i need a little hand holding here.



thanks.

[EricChadwick]

Well, it's drab. So the specular/reflection would be nearly nonexistent. The metal on the other hand could have high specular/reflection components.

Go find some used construction equipment in your city and study it in person. Usually they use flat paint and they have plenty of scratches.

This site might help you learn how to break down materials into the various elements.
http://www.neilblevins.com/cg_education/cg_education.htm
(Thanks Neil!)

[soulburn3d]

And make sure you get some good scratch maps to blend between your paint and your metal.

One thing I've done before is go to the art store and buy some scratch board (its black, but when you scratch at the black it reveals white), then I take the board and start scraping it on the ground, on metal surfaces around me, scratch it with my finger nails, any sort of sharp instrument. Make sure the edges of the board are especially scuffed up, since the edges of your 3d object are the area where the most wear and tear will happen. Then scan the results, and use it as the basis for scuff and scratch textures (modify this map with the clones tools to get whatever specific map you need for whatever specific part of the object you're texturing).

- Neil

[jedimaster]

wow thats an awsome idea thanks neil =)

[CGTalk Moderation]

This thread has been automatically closed as it remained inactive for 12 months. If you wish to continue the discussion, please create a new thread in the appropriate forum.