First message : 2009-09-14 12:12:29 Operating system : Windows Vista RAM : 4Go Computer model : revit 2010 Processor : QuadCore Graphic card Type : PCI-E Card name : ATI Video memory : >256 Mo Quiktime : sais pas Network card : ethernet
I am new in artlantis and this is my first post :P
I am very excited about this programme, but i am having some concerns.
1)Is there a solution about the streching that artlantis does in the non-square files, when creating a shader? Cropping the image is an obvious solution but u loose some crucial details...I thougts there was a button in photoshop that tryied to change the orientation of the image, but i am not sure if that works here...any thougts?
2)Large files (like the ones in the arroway package) realy slow down perfomance. Is there a solution beside lowing down the quality? What size do u find that both satisfies quality? (photoshop scale 1-12)
3)Is there a way to position the shader wherever i like? I am having some textures (stonework) that have larger stones in the bottom and smaller one in the top. Artlantis i think puts the texture in the middle of the wall or something...tried everything nothing worked...
4)Last and most important problem. When i try to create a shader i drag n drop the images and then i try save as. I use a file name and a location. Then thing is that Artlantis resaves my images. Is there a filename that would let artlantis recognize the images so i am not having the same thing twice?
Anyone that have any other problems with arroway textures is welcomed to answer. In my little experience i find the small free textures in arroway site, very helpfull, whereas the large and expensive ones very slowing down perfomance...any thoughts?
Thanks a lot i am realy looking foreword for your insights!
First message : 2005-06-03 08:53:11 Operating system : RAM : Computer model : Processor : Graphic card Type : Card name : Video memory : Quiktime : Network card :
1. Artlantis shouldn't be stretching a shader image as far as I know. If you place a shader on a non square object and do not set the projection correctly then the image will likely be stretched, try changing the projection settings to something different and also try moving the position of the shader a bit, I find that this often helps with the stretching that you are seeing.
2. Large image files will definitely slow down Artlantis, but this is true for any type of rendering software. I have been using Arroway textures occasionally for some models and every time I make a shader with them I downsize the image by half at least and I usually also resave the image file from .png's to something smaller like .jpg's, I find that they always make a much smaller file while still keeping enough of the quality to look very good. Usually I shoot for about a 3000x4000 image size or somewhere in that range, using the textures that are 7000x7000 or larger will definitely hurt performance.
3. Once you place the shader you can reposition it. Click the shader button up on top then click the shader you wish to manipulate in the 3d view window. Click the geometry and you will see a little white cross show up, hover over this cross and you will see a little move arrow show up on your cursor. When you see this move arrow you can click and drag the shaders location to where you want it.
This also works for any textures you may have applied to a surface. If you are moving a texture you will get a texture mapping picture of the image on the shader bar on the left of the program, this will allow you to set the origin of the picture, very handy for more precisely locating a texture.
4. When creating a shader, if you want to only have 1 copy of the image files you are using, you will need to use Artlantis's file naming scheme. Place the images in the same place where the .xsh (shader) file is located. This will likely be somewhere in your Artlantis/Media/Shaders/ folder.
Use this file naming scheme:
Diffuse images: picture_d.jpg
Specular/reflection images: picture_r.jpg
Bump map images: picture_b.jpg
Normal map images: picture_n.jpg
If you use their naming scheme then Arlantis won't make duplicates of the images.
First message : 2009-09-02 03:06:29 Operating system : Windows Vista RAM : 4Go Computer model : Custom Ibuypower Processor : QuadCore Graphic card Type : PCI-E Card name : Nvidia Video memory : Quiktime : 7.5 Network card : ethernet
I meant to mention, you should definitely check out the Artlantis Objects website and watch their tutorials, they have a lot of helpful information that can get you up on your feet in no time.
Watch this video in particular, it will help you to understand how to place a texture on a face and move it around by itself, which is very handy when you are using the same texture on different faces and want them to be moved around separately!
First message : 2009-09-02 03:06:29 Operating system : Windows Vista RAM : 4Go Computer model : Custom Ibuypower Processor : QuadCore Graphic card Type : PCI-E Card name : Nvidia Video memory : Quiktime : 7.5 Network card : ethernet
After a bit of research I have come to the conclusion that you are correct about Artlantis stretching a non square image. I didn't really notice this happening until you brought it up. Seeing this brings some questions to my mind such as why would Artlantis not allow non-square images where most all other renderers will and how do you create an accurate shader knowing that Artlantis is going to stretch your high quality images you use for shaders?
Maybe I am going about this wrong now, but I was under the assumption that I didn't have to manually edit all my images to square them up (which would be near impossible on a lot of images I use) when creating a shader but I guess maybe I need to go back to the drawing board with some of the shaders I have made.
First message : 2006-12-07 16:44:03 Operating system : Windows Vista RAM : 8Go Computer model : selfmade Processor : QuadCore Graphic card Type : Card name : Nvidia Video memory : >256 Mo Quiktime : 7.5 Network card : ethernet
The problem with square versus rectangular textures has been solved since 2.1.1 so all you need to do is to update artlantis to the latest version and the problem is solved.
So there certainly is no need to use strong language.
First message : 2009-09-14 12:12:29 Operating system : Windows Vista RAM : 4Go Computer model : revit 2010 Processor : QuadCore Graphic card Type : PCI-E Card name : ATI Video memory : >256 Mo Quiktime : sais pas Network card : ethernet
I was hoping to hear that the strechy thingy has been corrected! I search old forumms but nobody mentioned that...And as i searched, moving the shader has also been corrected. I was having a old version but i didn't notice it, since a friend gave it to me...
Although shaders are nice i found textures more conveniend...Is there a way to add the bumb effect on them? I see a slider that says "bumb" but i haven't but any jpg for that so i guess it is on default. Is there a way to put my own jpg on bumb while using textures?
First message : 2009-09-02 03:06:29 Operating system : Windows Vista RAM : 4Go Computer model : Custom Ibuypower Processor : QuadCore Graphic card Type : PCI-E Card name : Nvidia Video memory : Quiktime : 7.5 Network card : ethernet
Yeah, I see you are correct, after an update on the station (the only one apparently not running 2.1.2.2) I see this fixed the issue.
Stam, yes you can add the bump effect on a texture you have placed. Add another texture that will be your bump on top of the texture you used for the base. This would need to be a black and white image. Set the transparency all the way up, 255 in my case, then slide the bump slider to a positive or negative number to control the bump effect. The effect might also depend on what type of image file you are using for the bump. I just tried it with a .psd (photoshop) which didn't seem to work and a .jpg which works just fine.
First message : 2009-09-14 12:12:29 Operating system : Windows Vista RAM : 4Go Computer model : revit 2010 Processor : QuadCore Graphic card Type : PCI-E Card name : ATI Video memory : >256 Mo Quiktime : sais pas Network card : ethernet
