Metal material...

[fabrizzzio]

Hi guys!
I got a complex geometry to texture, and I want that it looks a little rusty but it has to keep the steel look. Well, I cant use a lot bitmap textures because the complexity of the form distorts a lot the map. So I think I have to use procedural maps, but I don't know how to achive that metal look using them.
BTW I use MAX.

Can U help me?

[Kit]

I think the result will look much better if you stick to bitmaps... in my opinion procedurals are good for adding noise or for masks, but nothing beats the good old bitmap, specially if you want it to look realistic.
If the map is distorting too much just do some UVW mapping.

Anyways, I remember some good metal tutorials at 3D total, no procedurals there, but they might give you some ideas.

[fabrizzzio]

Thanks compatriot (aguante argentina!!!)

Maybe you're right, but I can say that procedurals are really powerful if you know how to use them.
You can have an idea what Im talking about if you take a look at a model from Dave Wilson, arachnoid. In the Arachnoid Tutorial Dave explains a really cool way to generate that kinda texturing, but in Lightwave... and Im a MAX user. I'm sure there will be a way to achieve the same effect in Max...
I'm trying to figured out how to!!!
Help me!!!!!

[blesson2k]

Well max does not have viper and so no layer support or painting for textures. But if u could go through the leaf project tutorial at 3D Total, i think u can make a better looking metal than that.

[Kit]

Hummm I see.....
Ok then, how ´bout this one : remember the Joan of Arc tutorial?
Right, almost at the end, there´s a kind of recepy for doing a skin texture with procecdurals and different layers and masks and stuff. My advice is to start with that, and change the proceedural´s values to something closer to what you want.
Also, looking at that tutorial, the texture looks like a couple os smoke procedurals with maybe a stucco proceedural or something like that in a series of blend materials (in MAX terms)

Anyways, I still think doing the UVs and painting the maps is the best workaround as long as you have time for it.

[fabrizzzio]

I think you're right kit...
Thanks a lot for your advices...

Anyway, I would like if you (or anybody) know about tutorials for UVW Unwrap mapping. Some people told me that this is a powerful tool, but I don't know a lot about that modifier...

Any help would be great!!!!

Thanks a lot guys...

[Kit]

Hehem, the Joan of Arc tutorial has a pretty extensive UV explanation, and also MAX comes with a couple of pretty handy ones about some low poly spaceship.
And I´m sure you can find at least a dozen more in the tutorial forum....

[Little Nicky]

This is back to the rusty metal subject, but there are some good metal tutorials on 3DTotal as Kit said ... and one includes rust.

[fabrizzzio]

Thanks a lot for your help Little Nicky!