Texture

Definition

Texture mapping is a method for adding detail, surface texture, or colour to a computer-generated graphic or 3D model. A texture map is applied (mapped) to the surface of a shape, or polygon. This process is akin to applying patterned paper to a plain white box. (Wikipedia)

In particular to thanks computer game technology, texture mapping has become very sophisticated. (Start reading from Wikipedia's texture mapping article and follow up the specialized articles)

This article is also part of the Flash tutorials

Types of textures

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For 2D artwork, you should distinguish between textures you apply as a whole to an object (e.g. door) and textures that you use to "paint" tiles. The latter should be tileable, i.e. not show artificial borders.

Importing textures into Flash

You can use textures as paint. Here is a short "how to"

• Open the color panel (Window->Color). Then select type: Bitmap from the pull-down menu. Import the bitmap to the libray and select it.
• Then paint the outline of your textured area with the brush tool. You probably should use the "Paint behind mode".
• Then fill the rest with the paint bucket.

Note:

• Since a texture file is just an image, you also can use it as image of course, then break it apart etc and apply a few transformations to it, e.g. make it smaller or bigger.
• Bitmap fills can also be distorted with the Gradient Transform tool

Texture repositories

Most high quality textures are sold commercially, but some commercial sites give out free samples. You also may dig in your computer. If you have games installed, e.g. Neverwinter Nights there are directories with lots of textures, but these are probably under copyright. Unfortunately, searching for free textures on the Internet is trouble. Most of the time you stumble on sites that just contain links and adds. But there are some excellent free and commercial resources. Below a few that include free textures.

• A-Z Textures Free high resolution textures for commercial and non-commercial use.
• One Odd Dude / Free textures
• The Fat Strawberry (LinkWare, i.e. you must provide a link to this site, if you use a texture).
• Free stuff from textureworks.com
• KTN3D Large choice, Free for none commercial use.
• 2dvalley.com. Smaller collection of free textures
• 2textured.com Large choice (no copyright indication)
• Free3DTextures.com Large choice of free textures.
• Pixeldecor Tapestry-like textures. Free only for desktop use.
• Freetextures from m3corp (but too much publicity to cope with).
• Free Textures created for Elephants Dream
• Free Seamless Background Textures from absolutecross.com.
• Textures index on the widged wiki, handpicked, no information on copyright
• Squifingers patterns. Over 150 free patterns in *.gif format. By Travis Beckham.

Links

• Texture mapping (Wikipedia)
• Textures with Photoshop from DadyyCool.