micro paneling-procedural vs painted?

japetus

I'm new around here, so this has probably been asked, but Micro paneling, I guess I will go with that term. Basically I am wondering how people usually end up going about doing the tiny panels that make up large ships like the Enterprise-B. I am looking for an alternative to a hand painted texture map to save my sanity and was wondering if people tend to go with the procedural panel look? For example how would you go about duplicating the paneling on this saucer section? I have a basicblack/white aztec pattern laid out like so and can go from there. Thanks in advance!

lukanoski

you could do it with a bump map but it won't give you a lot of detail on the closeups, or make a displacement map, but it depends on what 3d app you're using. i'll try to find some tutorials!

japetus

Thanks lukanoski! I'm using 3DSMax and mental ray

lukanoski

Hi. here's a video to help you understand bump and displacement maps YouTube - Bump And Displacement Map: Overview

japetus

Thanks luka, I know all about those concepts. I guess I was mostly just wondering about people's personal process when it comes to panels like that. I'm wondering if people spend the time drawing panels in photoshop or tend to use a procedural approach. Maybe it's just an unknowable unknowable