Texture: Difference between revisions

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{{mergeto|VTF}}
{{mergeto|VTF}}
A '''texture''' is an image applied to a 2D or 3D surface to give it color or additional visual detail. Textures applied to 3D models are frequently called ''skins''. While textures are typically thought of in terms of their application to 3D geometry or models, the images used to create buttons and icons for a [[GUI]] are also often referred to as textures.
A '''texture''' is an image applied to a 2D or 3D surface to give it color or additional visual detail. Textures applied to 3D models are frequently called ''skins''. While textures are typically thought of in terms of their application to 3D geometry or models, the images used to create buttons, icons, and other surfaces for a [[GUI]] are also often referred to as textures.


In the [[Source]] engine, a texture comprises the visible aspect of a [[material]]. These textures are generally created as [[TGA]] files, and then converted to the proprietary [[VTF|Valve Texture Format]] (VTF) for use in-game.
For more information about how textures are implemented in the [[Source]] engine, see [[material]]. For information about Valve's proprietary texture format, see [[VTF]]. See [[shader]] for information about applying shaders to textures using materials.


For a complete material, an additional file, the [[VMT|Valve Material Type]] (VMT) file, is required. A VMT is a text file which complements the texture (VTF) file and which informs the engine how the material should behave during gameplay. [[Shader]]s can also be applied to the texture using materials. For additional information about implementing textures in the Source engine, please refer to the [[material]] page.
A good source of additional information about textures can be found in the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_%28computer_graphics%29 Texture mapping] article at the Wikipedia.
 
 
=== Texture Maps ===
The term ''texture map'' is a more precise term for a texture. Textures must eventually be applied to a surface consisting of pixel coordinates. The process of applying a texture to a surface in this fashion is known as ''mapping''. There are a number of different types of mapping techniques used to produce different kinds of results. One or more of these techniques are typically applied to the same surface to produce the most realistic visual representation of a material possible.
 
Some of the more common types of texture maps are listed below:
* diffuse (color)
* [[Normal Maps|normal]] (bump)
* specular, and
* [[Parallax mapping|parallax]]
 
For additional information about texture maps, see the article about [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Texture_%28computer_graphics%29 Texture mapping] at the Wikipedia.
 
=== Valid dimensions (in pixels) ===
Textures, to be valid for the Source engine, must have dimensions in the power of two:
 
1
2
4
8
16
32
64
128
256
512
1024
2048
4096


== Tools and Plugins ==
== Tools and Plugins ==
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== See also ==
== See also ==
* [[Applying Textures]]
* [[Applying Textures]]
* [[VTF|diffuse map]] or color map
* [[Normal Maps|normal map]] (bump)
* [[Parallax mapping|parallax mapping]]
* [[%24envmapmask|specular map]]
* [[Cubemap|cubemap]]
* [[Mipmap|mipmap]]


== External links ==
== External links ==

Revision as of 17:18, 27 April 2008

Merge-arrows.png
It has been suggested that this article or section be merged into VTF. (Discuss)

A texture is an image applied to a 2D or 3D surface to give it color or additional visual detail. Textures applied to 3D models are frequently called skins. While textures are typically thought of in terms of their application to 3D geometry or models, the images used to create buttons, icons, and other surfaces for a GUI are also often referred to as textures.

For more information about how textures are implemented in the Source engine, see material. For information about Valve's proprietary texture format, see VTF. See shader for information about applying shaders to textures using materials.

A good source of additional information about textures can be found in the Texture mapping article at the Wikipedia.

Tools and Plugins

  • Genetica - A commercial seamless texture editor. Creates tiling textures of all material types.
  • VTF Plug-in for Photoshop - adds VTF format support to Photoshop (6.0+).

See also


External links

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