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Creating prefect PBR textures with AI

Education

Creating Perfect PBR Textures with AI

In 3D modeling, the texture is crucial for the realism of a model. In this article, we will delve into utilizing the latest AI technology to create true PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials, focusing specifically on tree bark and other elements. We'll also discuss how these materials can be used in Plant Factory to create trees for commercial sale across multiple platforms. We'll use various AI generators, though the process for each is somewhat similar.

Generating the Image

First, we need to generate our base image. If you don't have all the necessary maps like normal or bump maps, don't worry—we'll generate those later. Below is a tree bark texture generated using MidJourney with the command L --tile to ensure seamless edges.

If using other AI tools like ChatGPT or Stable Diffusion that lack tiling options, don't worry—we'll cover creating seamless tiles using Photoshop.

Making a Seamless Texture in Photoshop

  1. Open your image in Photoshop. Check for uneven borders, as these will cause visible seams.
  2. Go to Filter -> Other -> Offset and set the offset values to half the image dimensions (e.g., if the image is 1000x1000 pixels, set both horizontal and vertical offsets to 500 pixels).
  3. Use Photoshop's new AI-powered generative fill to make the texture seamless by selecting problematic areas and using the Generative Fill.

Upscaling the Image

AI upscaling tools like Gigapixels AI ensure high-resolution textures without losing details or breaking the seamlessness. You can upscale your texture up to 600 times its original size.

Converting to PBR Materials

Next, we'll use ArmorLab for converting the base texture into PBR materials. ArmorLab is an affordable or even free tool for creating all necessary maps such as base color, normal, height, and roughness.

  1. Open ArmorLab and import your texture.
  2. Connect the input nodes and configure them as needed. ArmorLab processes the image and generates the PBR maps.
  3. Export the PBR maps to your desired location.

Applying the PBR Materials in Plant Factory

Plant Factory from Eon Software, now free for commercial use, allows for easy creation and modification of plant models.

  1. Create a trunk and branches in Plant Factory and apply your PBR texture.
  2. Edit the material settings to include the base color, bump map, normal map, roughness, and ambient occlusion.
  3. Experiment with displacement settings to get the right look, avoiding excessively high values that can create artifacts.

Keywords

  • 3D modeling
  • PBR materials
  • AI technology
  • Tree bark texture
  • Seamless tiles
  • Upscaling tools
  • ArmorLab
  • Plant Factory
  • Texture maps

FAQ

  1. What does the L --tile command do in MidJourney?

    • It ensures that the generated texture has seamless edges, ideal for tiling in 3D models.

  2. How do you make a texture seamless in Photoshop?

    • Use the Offset Filter to align borders, then utilize Photoshop’s new AI-powered generative fill to patch seams.

  3. What tools can upscale images without losing quality?

    • Tools like Gigapixels AI can upscale images up to 600 times their original size while maintaining quality and seamlessness.

  4. What maps do ArmorLab generate for PBR materials?

    • ArmorLab generates maps including base color, normal, height, roughness, metallic, and ambient occlusion.

  5. Is Plant Factory free?

    • Yes, Plant Factory from Eon Software is now free and can be used for commercial products.

  6. What issues can arise with displacement settings?

    • High displacement values can create artifacts and break the appearance of your model. It's recommended to use moderate values and fine-tune as needed.