Procedurals Test

[marvin]

Something I was trying out. I saw this cool image (first one) and wanted to see if I could do something similar with procedurals. I think it worked out pretty nicely. It obviously still needs more work, but it was mainly a test, so i don't know if I'll keep tweaking it. The back wall does have an image with procedurals overlayed. That was the only image.

Just for sharing, but of course critiques and comments are welcome. I always love hearing what others have to say, good or bad.

marvin

[marlo.steed]

I take it that the first is the source image and yours is the second. Going with that assumption; there are aspects of your image, the second one, that are good.

For instance, the roughness of the texture and mix of color work well. However, notice the details of the first image, the broken edges on the stairs, the irregular shape of the brick wall, the irregular way the color is dispersed, the concentration of grime around the exit grate. It is those kind of details that separate most CG from realistic looking images. Roughen up the edges make stuff look irregular, and notice how the scrapes and gouges appear in particular areas of real objects. Roughness for instance, shouldn't be applied regularly like in your image.

The approach to dealing with this kind of endeavor is a good observational skills, an eye for detail, and the time to make it happen. It is the last variable that I often don't have enough of to make it happen.

[marvin]

marlo,

I agree with you fully. My picture (which is the bottom of the two) was simply to practice layering procedurals. Mine is much worse than the first, especially when viewed together as I have posted them.

I only spent about 4 hours on mine, modelling, texturing, everything. I understand that it shows in the pic.

Once again, thanks for the feedback, and any more from anyone is welcome.

marvin

[Zarathustra]

I'm confused - are you trying to copy the first? The drainpipe texture looks completely different and you made the wall wood slabs instead of cynderblocks. No bump on the steps, either.

Is the first image a photo? I'm guessing it's not mainly because of the stains below the drainspout.

[marvin]

No. I'm not trying to copy the first, which is a 3D image. You can find out more about it here:http://www.3dtotal.com/team/Tutorials/chriswaadt/chriswaadt_1.asp

I was just browsing around one day and saw it. I wanted to see what I could make using procedurals since I don't have a digital camera. I didn't want to copy it, just see how good I could make the textures, so i wasn't really worried about texturing, lighting or anything else.

I should have spent more time on it if I was really worried about it, but other things kept getting in the way, so this is where I stopped working.

I knew it wouldn't be nearly as nice as the first, I just thought I did a rather good job using only procedurals and one texture I got from the net.

marvin

[Rory_L]

Did you try using vertex maps to limit texture distribution? Just keep fooling around and layering is my suggestion. Oh, and look at real world photos and not get the info second hand :D

Nice experiment: thanks for posting it. If you do get any more spare time please have another go and show us where you get to with it!

All the best,

R

[John Fornasar]

Marvin,

I understand what you were trying to do, and you did come up with some nice textures. Marlo_steed has some nice suggestions also.

However, the next time you want to work on texturing, you'll be better off using a real photo to work from. The 3D picture you used for reference is nice, but not technically accurate. The corrosion build up shown on the drain pipe would look like that on corroding iron pipe, where layers of rust begin "pulling away" from the pipe, causing a thick build-up. On an old thin galvanized drain pipe, you'll see rust areas surrounding holes where the pipe is "eaten away".
Don't take this as nit-picking either your work or the source pic, it's just that when you devote the time, the real thing is the best reference.

[marvin]

Thanks for the comments guys. I just had some time one Sunday and after browsing the net, got inspired to "see what I could come up with quickly."

Even after I look at both of the pictures together I think, "My god that bottom one sucks!" Looking at it alone, I think, "I did alright."

Either way, I can't devote any more time to a test. I would call it a failure as it didn't turn out anywhere close to what I wanted, but then again, I didn't put in as much time as I would on a real project. Thanks again everyone.

marvin

[Zarathustra]

Well as long as you continue to "see what I could come up with quickly" then you shouldn't be too disappointed with the final results.