Microsoft KB Archive/176599

INFO: Tips for Taking Photos for Use as Textures

PSS ID Number: Q176599 Article last modified on 11-12-1997

IRIX:3.51,3.7; WINNT:3.51,3.7

IRIX winnt

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The information in this article applies to:

 Softimage 3D for IRIX, versions 3.51, 3.7 == Softimage 3D for Windows NT, versions 3.51, 3.7 == 

= SUMMARY =

This article provides tips on the best lighting, lens, and environment for taking photos that you plan to use as textures.

= MORE INFORMATION =

  If you wish to tile your texture, use a telephoto lens. It flattens the image, eliminating optical distortions associated with wider lenses.   Use the SOFTIMAGE Eddie tile tool to blur the edge of a texture and control the interlacing of the tiling. Then use a crop tool to output the new tile-able picture.   Use a flat field copy lens that will let you zoom in close if necessary.   Always use a tripod.   If the textures you are shooting are relatively small, use a copystand, or imitate the copystand set up. </li>  A flatbed scanner is very useful; not only can you scan in pictures from any printed source, but you can take actual samples of whatever flat materials you want and put them directly into the scanner. This can give you 100 percent even lighting (very important the lighting should come from the 3D scene, not look “painted on” to the textures) and a flat, non-camera perspective that you cannot get though a lens. A flatbed scanner has more “depth of field” than expected. You can scan an object that is slightly elevated above the glass (for example, to scan a rusted metal plate, place a few coins around the corners of the scanner so the plate does not touch the glass). This still gives a very detailed scan. </li>  If the subject is flat, get the filmplane parallel to the subject in both U and V (Vert. and Horz.). To do this, use a level or cross measure cam to substitute flat light. Take an incident light reading at each corner and in the center of the field of view. Balance the light so each reading is as close as possible. </li>  You need controlled, soft lighting when shooting your objects. A studio environment is best, but if you must shoot outdoors, an overcast day provides the best lighting; the sun tends to create harsh shadows and concentrate the intensity of the light in one area of your object. For location shooting, use a good light kit. </li>  A trick for seamless tiling is to align four copies of a picture to a rectangle twice the size of the picture, such as: __  ||| ||__| then edit the cross shaped seams, and, finally, crop centered to the middle to the original picture size. </li>  Shinyness (Ns) maps can be made with a flash close to the lens or a ring light on the lens. Bump maps can be made with the spotlights in nearly the same plane as the subject. </li></ul>

The rest is up to your photographic skill level.

= REFERENCES =

If you have any questions concerning the information contained in this article, contact support@softimage.com by e-mail.

= Additional query words: si si3d si3dgen =

Keywords : si si3d si3dgen Version : IRIX:3.51,3.7; WINNT:3.51,3.7 Platform : IRIX winnt Issue type : kbinfo ============================================================================= Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1997.