Subtextures

I think it would be insanely helpfull to be able to add a subtexture to object faces. A subtexture would be placed one pixel below the normal texture (or whatever way is technically feasible). Very basic example: picture frame. Have the main texture a frame with transparent center, then add any texture to the subtexture layer. Instant one-prim picture frame.

you can make a one prim picture frame

take a cube, hollow it to about the maximum. Texture and position your picture on the inside rear face of the hollow, and flatten it out to a canvas shape, then texture your alpha'd frame texture to the outside front face of the cube.

I have used this technique to do tv screens with glass over them, double textured signs, even windows with scripted blinds and curtains.

Yeah, I'm working on this right now. It's a hollowed out cube with the front texture of a frame. Drop a texture into the contents and rename as 'source'. The cube puts the source into the inside texture. Also going to make it resizable on touch by owner to cycle through 4:3, 16:9, and 16:10 resolution ratios to compensate for the resolution that you snapped a picture with (I'm 16:10). Prolly give it over to the GNU shop when done.

I'm all about minimal prim usage ;)

or you could do this with layers with your favorite photo proggy

Actually, multitexturing (as it's called in 3D programming) is a fairly staple feature of all graphics cards since the TNT2. It's better to use than, say layers in photoshop, since it saves Video memory. Multitexturing is already used in SL (for instance, the ground textures use multitexturing), combine multitexturing with texture animation, and you have some seriously powerfull visual effects.

-Adam

Hmm I will have to try this out today and see the difference.