-----Front-mapping


Overview

Nearly all the objects on the Templar had specific image maps made for them. The only exceptions were the sword handle and blade.
Image maps can add enormously to a models percieved detail and intricacy. This page describes the several front-mapping techniques used to make the Templar's torso.
This demonstrates the use of mirrored, overlayed, specular, colour and bump maps.
There are two sections, Creating an Image Map and Applying Image Maps.

Creating an Image Map

You will need a paint package to do this, with at least crop and airbrush tools. It is very useful to have a 'Paste as Image' tool as well.

1)Getting a reference image

Click on Front on the side of the front view to get a full screen frontview.
Now we do some magic to get rid of the clutter and other objects:
[Select the object to be textured]
Mode/Pick/Points
View/Redraw
Mode/Pick/Objects
[click off the object]
If you did all that the object should now be on it's own.
Use the PrintScreen key on the top-left of the keyboard.
Paste the Screen into your paint-package.
Crop the image as closely as possible to the edges of your image and since the front will be symetrical cut it in half as well.

1)Painting an Image Map

Load up the sketch for more reference.
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Unfortunately you need to pretty much work from scratch on the image maps. My only advice is to use airbrushes and smooth the picture now and then. And it is useful but not essential to use layers and to have the reference wireframe showing through the Image Map while you are making it.

Here is a reduced version of the image map I used.

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(c)1997-Simon de Rivaz

Applying Image Maps

Using a Mirrored Colour Map

Imagine defaults to spreading the map all over the object. We want it to cover only half the image and be repeated and mirrored on the other half.
So here goes...
Functions/Attributes
MAPS
Add Brush
[Open your image map] Open
Properties
Edit Axes
s
X
[scale down to 0.5 - this is displayed in the bottom right corner]
m
X
[move the axes so that the y-axis lies in the center of the object]
SPACE
[Now click on 'Object' in the top right of the Attributes box to see what is happening]
WRAPPING
set 'Repeat'
set 'Mirror'
OK (to get back to the general attributes dialogue)


Copying Colour Map for use as a Bump Map

We don't want to go through all that hassle to align a bump map as well do we take a shortcut:
[select your colour map]
Duplicate
Properties
Usage
set 'Altitude'
Apply
This is too strong an effect. To vary the height of the Altitude Map we must edit the length of the texture's y-axis. You should know how to do that now from your experience in the Mirror Map section above...
Here I shrunk the y-axis to just under a quarter of it's initial length. You can fine tune the effect by using the Mix/Morph slider in the General section of the Image_map-Properties box.
Click OK to get back to the Main Attributes Diaglgue box and you can see the object with colour and altitude maps.
In this image I reduced the Mix/Morph of the colour map as well for a more subtle effect.

Other Maps and Textures

Add the dirt texture (everyones favorite).
If you feel confident try using the blend textures to add further detail (Blend Textures by Ingvar Lybing)

Conclusion

Object specific image maps are very cool.


Templar ConstructionTechnique Reference
Main Pagesketch tutorial