Q: How To Get Textures

I'm new to creating clothing and I have to admit, I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment. I figured that before I started designing and getting into all the nitty gritty stuff, I should at least find the answers to my questions. I've done several tutorials on clothing creation already (simple t-shirts) but nothing has really been discussed regarding textures and where or how to get them. Are they imported from texture sites, scanned in, created by hand? I'm sure all three, but with some of the textures I've seen..they're so intricate, how does someone create that by hand? Are the majority of textures just downloaded from various sites then? Sorry if this seems like a blunt or silly question, there's still a lot I have to learn. Anywho, thank you all in advance..I can't wait to have this cleared up, then I can put it aside and start worrying about something else hehe.

-Sienna

Most of the best clothing stores Ive found hand draw the clothes I think. The time they must spend to to get details like stitching in must take a shed load of patience and skill.

I think you will find that every designer has her/his own philosophy of work, and that designers use the full range of sources and methods you have listed. The methods you choose depend on your skill level, your patience and interest in one phase or another of the clothing trade, and your pocketbook.

I create almost all fabric textures myself in Photoshop, although I occasionally buy a lovely fabric that someone else has designed from someplace like TRU. I am leery of scanning fabric textures because I do not have the original designer's permission to do it. I create all designs for the clothing I sell in my shops and I do all shaping, stitching, rendering of folds and shadows, and applique work myself in Photoshop. I work this way because I usually think of a fabric design first and then let it guide me to the creation of a piece of clothing rather than the other way around -- it's my own peculiar approach -- and because I enjoy fiddling with detailed handwork. Besides, I always learn something new. For me, using someone else's fabric takes some of the fun out of it, and I would get no enjoyment out of using someone else's clothing designs (templates). But that's me. I do not presume to speak for others.

Hello Sienna,

I agree that it depends on the creator of an item on whether they use pre-made fabric textures or make their own.

Making textures simply take a bit of time and practice, but there are so many tools out there to help you get started...it really isn't that daunting of a task once you start to play around with it.

For example, I use brushes created by ObsidianDawn.com for some of my textures (do read and follow her licensing agreement should you decide to sell any items where her brushes are used).

If you have Photoshop, you can use Filter > Noise (2.45%) over a layer filled with a color, then Filter > Brushstrokes for some wonderful textures. Overlay that with a layer filled with a gradient and it's a nice base for a shirt or blouse.

You can also search in Google for "texture tutorials" for whichever graphics program you are using and you'll find many such tuts from leather to metal to silk.

Best,
~Ari

Wow, I really hadn't been expecting such great advice. All I can say is thank you all so much! I really appreciate the Photoshop trick Arikinui, I've played around a lot with it but I've never gone into depth with anything so creating textures will be a first. But I'm sure it will be fun and that's really all that matters right? Well so long as my clothes aren't THAT bad, hehe. It will definitly be a learning experience and I can't wait. I doubt it will be easy, and just like you said Rolig, it will take the fun out to have to search for patterns and use other people's designs. I want to do it all myself and I'm so glad that that's what the designers do. I don't want to slap a texture on a dress and send it out, I want the buttons to look 3D, I want the folds to be there and be realistic rather than flat color, I want to see every little stitch when I zoom in because I would in real life. For some reason this little post has inspired me and now I can't wait to get on Photoshop and start fiddling. I will definitly also check out some of those "Texture Tutorials" out there, I guess I had a mindblock as I hadn't even thought about that. My frustration was centered around the fact that there were few sl clothing tutorials and most were so basic that I had no idea how I'd get to the point I wanted. I'll just have to keep experimenting..I'm a perfectionist so I have a long road ahead I suppose. Oh well, I'm looking forward to it now. Thank you all again so much, you've definitly made my day.

-Sienna

Actually, there are several really good clothing tutorials out there. Check the sticky at the top of this forum for starters. Many people find that Natalia Zelmanov's tutorials are easy to follow and full of practical advice. Take at look at them under the heading "Clothing Tutorials" at http://www.mermaiddiaries.com/2006/11/build.html .

Good luck, Sienna.

Hello again Sienna

Glad you're up and running with the info! That's the best way to grow as an artist and creator is to always be open to new things and to keep experimenting!

I have a very short tut on doing some details like 3D buttons, stitches, shading...etc on my site:
http://www.arikinui.com/Clothing%20Tutorial.html

I kept them basic so that those with only a little experience could use them, but they are a great jumping off point for learning how to do the details that make your work standout.

You can ask any questions here and there are plenty of us who are willing to help you out...so don't ever worry about getting stuck.

Have fun

~Ari

Great Thank you both again, I'll look at all the tutorials tonight after work. Can't wait to get started, and I appreciate that you all are so willing to help. I'm sure I'll be back with more questions hehe. I'm heading out in half an hour, but I'll get right on it when I get home tonight. Thank you again Arikinui and Rolig, you have both been such a tremendous help. I'll make some very detail intensive outfits in your honor when I get good, lol. You all have a nice day!

-Sienna

To get a realistic look in clothes I usually try and make it similarly to what you would do in Real life - each part is it's own and putting them together so that they match. Obviously - without the sewing.

First I start out sketching and coming up with designs - I usually pour over the fashion magazines, and the internet - just to get feel for what I want.

Then once I have a solid idea of what I want - I think about how I am going to construct it. How many pieces are there to this and how will I accomplish it? Should there be any patterns or textures (other than wrinkles and folds).

Then I go ahead and open Photoshop. I start with shapes - as they are easy to manipulate and help me get my seams and lines correct. Once I have all of the pieces where I like - I create overlay layers for the details and use Dodge and Burn to create shading wrinkles and seams. Oh BTW the shapes I work with are 50% gray and the shape itself is a mask for certain overlay layers depending on the complexity.

If I get stuck I look at my clothing for the details that I need. Obviously you can't draw everything (that would take a lot of time - trust me), but you can photosource your clothing for seams, cuffs, folds and whatnot. The way that I use them is in conjunction with the overlay layers - I bring in the element, desaturate it and change the layer mode to overlay, hardlight or whatever works best. Use the layer mask tool, smudge, eraser or whatever to blend it in with your piece.

Pockets, Buttons, bows, embroidery, pocket foldovers - they all need to be on their own layers (or layer sets) so that you can add a slight drop shadow. I also tend to add a bevel/emboss style to buttons - but only very slightly. Use the overlay layers beneath them to create gathering and depression around them.

Once I have my item finalized, I create adjustment layers to make silk, or brighten it - change colors or what have you. I also create layers that contain layer styles for patterns, and textures (tropical, hawaiian etc.).

I guess I should post a tutorial, huh? I will, I promise... I have just had a few health issues - Urinary Tract Infections and Ear Infections as well as teeth - but I should be better now and you will see some tuts coming up...

Until then, if you want to make some silk or just see how I do it - go here:

http://secondwavefashion.blogspot.com/2008/01/satin-tutorial-from-sioxie-legend.html

and here is one about sequins:

http://secondwavefashion.blogspot.com/2008/01/sequin-tutorial-and-pattern.html

Thank you for replying Sioxie, and for all the great advice I'm checking your listed tutorials right now. I can't wait for you to make some of your own as I love how you do your clothing. I was in Second Wave the other day and then saw your name on the forums yesterday and was "Oh! I remember her name, she owns that store I like" I really appreciate you going into detail about the steps you take, I was kind of worried that people would be vague because it's giving away techniques or they don't want the competition. That would be selfish though and I like to think that most of us here in SL aren't like that Thank you again for all your help, stay healthy

-Sienna

Oh thanks Sienna!

I wanted to add that I get a lot of my textures by using those that are provided free via the internet - Deviant Art, Turbosquid, Renderosity etc... Just make sure that you read the licensing agreement and you don't resell them in their entirety - as that would be considered content theft, but there is nothing wrong with using it in a clothing design. A nice thing to do would be to mention their pattern or texture in the notecard of your package or sign.

Another way I get textures is that I take photos of fabrics, and scan in items. I use a variety of plug-ins as well as creating the textures the hard way (offset, clone etc.). Here's a few links to plug-ins that you can download or buy that make it a little easier...

www.namesuppressed.com/design/plugins-plaidlite.shtml

http://graphicssoft.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.btinternet.com/%257Ecateran/simple/


http://www.luxology.com/whatismodo/imageSynth.aspx