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[CzechTexan]

I'm new to texture making.  I've made a couple good ones but a couple others could look better.  I think I'm not doing something right.
Yesterday I saved a bunch of screen images from GoogleEarth.  Some are different zoom-in levels.

Is there a particular zoom-level that works best? 

This is what I do...I cut a 512x512 pixels (or close to it) from the image, re-sizing if necessary.  some are clear, others not so I guess it depends more on the zoom level when I capture the image.

I'm still not sure how to make 1024x1024.  I tried doubling up the 512s but they look too blurry.

I'm using a widescreen monitor but I guess a traditional square screen is better.

[cyberolas]

This is better
http://www.flashearth.com/

[CzechTexan]

This is better
http://www.flashearth.com/

THANK YOU!  that is a very nice program!

[agracier]

One of the biggest headaches I had with textures was getting them to match up into a more or less seamless match at the edges ... there are all kinds of complicated methods that you can follow in graphic editors. But when you need to make dozens of final textures, and usually try out two or three times as many before finally settling on a set, the time involved can become daunting.

I looked around for seamless texture generators and finally found one which works quite well for map making purposes:

http://www.seamlesstexturegenerator.com/
file:///C:/Program%20Files%20%28x86%29/Texture%20-%20Seamless%20Texture%20Maker%20Pro/STGPRO/STG-Help.html

It's NOT freeware, but it serves the purpose extremely well. It is fast and easy to use and can go through dozens of textures in a short time, so that you can concentrate on other more important aspects of map-making.

And added tip to make textures yet more seamless in this program: after a first run through the program, rotate the textures 90 degrees and run them through once again. You can then re-rotate back into the original appearance ...

[MANYSH]

When you using Flashearth.com don't forget tick Full screen before you hit Print screen button


also if you want perfect seamless texture you can use content aware with  Healing Brush if you using photoshop
so

I use this sample for texture
http://www.flashearth.com/?lat=16.427258&lon=97.970462&z=17.1&r=0&src=msa

create new 1024 X 1024 and paste screen, move to center ( do not resize )

you should get something like that ( click on link image is to big for forum posting )

https://www.sas1946.rocks/images/imageshit/dead/dead.gif

then set offset to +512

https://www.sas1946.rocks/images/imageshit/dead/dead.gif

this what I mark on red must be fix

so pick spot Healing Brush, tick content aware and set up hardness about 80-90%

https://www.sas1946.rocks/images/imageshit/dead/dead.gif

than paint over this nasty lines

https://www.sas1946.rocks/images/imageshit/dead/dead.gif

you can repeat painting few times if needed

in result you will have perfect seamless texture

https://www.sas1946.rocks/images/imageshit/dead/dead.gif

how I usually create new 2048 X 2048 and paste four 1024X1024 textures to check pattern

https://www.sas1946.rocks/images/imageshit/dead/dead.gif

If is not good, back to using Healing Brush

you can do the same in gimp using Clone tool but need more work

Regards

MANYSH

[Bee]

This free photoshop plugin is great for making seamless textures.  http://www.redfieldplugins.com/filterSeamlessWorkshop.htm

[loftyc]

I made up a plain map of the Virgin Islands for myself (I used to live there), and I just used a lot of what you used for your PR map.  No need to fix what ain't broke, so to speak.  Many thanks to all texture folks (and all modders!) already out there - Bombsaway, avala, redko, blumax, agracier, and everyone!

[DaveOD06]

I have a ton of good tips...I'll put together a large post later today to let you all know my secrets.

[slipper]

I wonder if somebody might be able to walk me through taking a screenshot and importing it into Gimp please? Also what tools to use in Gimp to make a tileable texture?

I have found a few tutorials but none that describes the above.

any help greatly appreciated.

slipper

[agracier]

I wonder if somebody might be able to walk me through taking a screenshot and importing it into Gimp please? Also what tools to use in Gimp to make a tileable texture?
I have found a few tutorials but none that describes the above.

First open a site that has good satellite images. Google earth comes to mind first so let's go with that one to begin with.

You look around, zoom in and out until you find a landscape that you think might look good as a texture. usually, I've found it takes about 10 to 12 texture try-outs until you do get one good usable texture. But let's assume you find a good landscape. When you do, simply press the 'PrtScr' (print screen) key. This captures the image on your monitor and puts it in your memory.

Now in either GIMP or in Paint Shop Pro (a more versatile program, especially the older versions like PSP7) or whatever, use the paste command (ctrl+v) and voila, the whole of your screen will be imported.

Now you need to crop the screencap into the correct size texture you wish to use - either 512x512 or 1024x1024 pixels.

Handcropping is a laborious process. Getting a proper sized texture can be more easily done in this manner: make a new, blank file of the size you choose - 512x512 or 1024x1024. On the screencap, paste the new file INTO the screencap, keep the new selection floating ... then go to the screencap layer itself, keep selection floating and copy and then paste and you should then get a new image, of the correct size.

You must of course position the floating selection right over the portion of the screencap you wish to use as texture before copy/pasting.

Now you have a raw texture. You can clean it up if you wish, moving parts around with a clone brush, or changing the hue or whatever strikes your fancy.

To make it seamless in GIMP, use pull down menu in Filters/Map/make seamless/ ...

Note that in GIMP you get perfectly made seamless textures this way, but they are often too repetitive to use on a map.

I use http://www.seamlesstexturegenerator.com/ to make seamless textures and it gives better results in my opinion. It's not freeware however.

[agracier]

Here are a few screenshots that may help:


paste prtscr capture into a graphics program



making a new 1024x1024 file to use a template for cropping



1024x1024 template pasted into prtscrn capture. It is still 'floating' -



result of choosing 'background' and then copy/pasting - result is a new perfectly sized image for use as a raw texture

[slipper]

agracier

Many thanks mate, i have copied a screen capture into Gimp, but i am having trouble creating a 1024 x 1024 image from this. You are using paintshop pro, i have Gimp, it does not seem to work the same as you mention above.

I am a newbie at this mate, with not a lot of Gimp experience i think i need step by step instructions on how to make a texture in Gimp, i can find tutorials here on what to do when you have the texture, but like i said as i am new i don't know how to make one.

one other question, what height is the best to copy an image from?

regards

slipper