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wannabeArtist
07-29-2009, 09:17 AM
Hello all,

I'm rather new to image editing and I would need some basic advice to create a bump map for a 3d model.

I'm trying to create a strip of tire tread pattern and I have a an image (photograph of a tread pattern) I thought would make it real easy. Well, not quite.

So far I've tried to copy the image and then move it using the Offset filter, but it doesn't really do the trick because the grooves in the tread pattern are just a pixel or two off (bottom compared to top) and it really doesn't tile seamlessly.

So what am I missing here? should I try twist the image with correct camera distorition tool first? Or hand paint on it to "straighten" the grooves? The image is only about a 100 pixels in height and I would need to make a much longer strip by tiling it for about 10 times at least.

Thanks!
workbench
07-29-2009, 11:44 AM
If you're painting it, it's much easier in Painter by making it a pattern then "view pattern" and now you can edit it, all the brush strokes that come out from the bottom will show up on top of the image so you can tell when it's not straight, same thing for the sides of the image.
matsman
07-29-2009, 04:25 PM
Best suggestion is to break it down to the smallest part. Then use guides and free transform to straighten everything out as best as possible.
Finally use offset and move stuff in a layer above that to counter the slight distortion you might have. Because as long as it is subtle you won't notice a small bend in the tile as long as the sides match up.

If you really want something fast and easy try to copy the whole thing and mirror it vertically... then the sides can only match up and you'll only have that small band... and lots of lighting issues probably :) but for quick and dirty it is good.
With good source material lighting won't be that much of an issue especially not when you only want a bumpmap.
wannabeArtist
07-29-2009, 04:56 PM
Thanks guys,

It takes talent to make a good looking texture, phew!

I got it to tile right, which is great, but I'm thinking I might still have to revert back to modeling the whole thing (tire treads).

It's really difficult to come up with a decent bump map starting from a photograph! Especially when I don't have the much photoshop talent ;)

It's the lights that ruin it, really. You can see the texture, but trying to select the recessed areas or vice versa is a though job!
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07-29-2009, 04:56 PM
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