3ds Max Modeling for Games

Chapter 3

Creating Texture Maps from Photographs

In this tutorial, I cover the basics of creating texture maps from photographs. We’ll be creating the type of texture maps that we used in the cardboard box and plastic barrel tutorials. We will then create some alpha maps and a model to put one of the maps on to.

Camera

The first thing to consider when taking photographs to be used for texture map creation or reference is what camera to use. When I was in charge of camera equipment at Evolution Studios, almost every time someone new asked to sign a camera out, I was asked, “Which camera can I take?” My response was always, “Which camera do you know how to use?” All too often, when given a choice of cameras, most people will take the most expensive, ...