Are there any sites that have textile/fabric pattern resources? I've seen lots of sites with large sized texture resources like tree bark, grass, metal etc, but is there any for textile/fabrics/lace/edging etc?

Not that I'm aware of. It's a copyright minefield, anyhow. You couldn't really copyright tree bark - although a photo of it would be a different matter - but fabrics are generally copyrighted to the hilt by the textile house and/or the original designer. Simply put, it would be perfectly legal for someone to take photos of fabric designs and use them for their own, non-commercial projects but it would be asking for trouble to offer them either as a textile resource unless they had prior permission. There are - or were - some lace pattern resources for sale in the Marketplace. I assume these are either totally original creations or the vendor has permission from the lace maker.

How many you want?..;) seriously, there's dozens. For fabrics, there used to be a site called Textures by Tuesday (haven't checked in awhile), another place is called Lemog..that's good for several hundred..check 'em out. If you need more texture sites, IM me and I'll send you a few dozen..;)

Oh I do plan on getting permission. I just need to know who to get the permission from, which requires some links so I can see what's available :) I'd never dream of making something and giving it away or selling it unless I had express written permission for the resources I've used. I already do have permission from 2 sites to use their fabric swatch tiles anyway I want. However the tiles are really small and they aren't seamless and trying to make them seamless destroys the patterns. So while they were ok for when I was trying to texture a hand fan, they aren't appropriate for using with large clothing templates. Pakled, I've sent you an IM :) Thanks.

I happily stand corrected. Nice one, pakled. :)

how long does copyrite last for? the victorians used many of the patterns for lace and net that are still used today. if copyrite runs out after the death of the person or x number of years, i'm sure some there must be some victorian lace pattern books out there. can copyrites be renewed or taken over after a persons death? billy

Billy, you'll probably fair better asking that in the copyright forum.

i just did some checking up on the net and it seems after 1978 everything is automatically copyrighted. pre 78 it becomes public domain 75 years after the owbers death. post 68 there was a law that said it could be renewd for 20 yrs making it 95 yrs. i think its different for itellectual rights. so basically anything from pre 1850 is pretty much public domain (i think) i asked it here cos i think it has a bit of relevence to the thread and the use of material acadia. i dont expect it to be a big debate lol. if it is it can be moved by a mod by all means. billy

But I don't want my question moved there :( All I'm trying to do is find links to textile resource sites. I'll deal with the issue of copyrights on my own by writing and asking permission and when in doubt checking in the copyright forum as I have with one site I have found.

Message edited on: 02/12/2006 00:31

I've got a series of texture files from RDNA which are copyrighted but can be used for commercial renders. They cannot be sold as part of a texture map though.

Attached Link: http://tiledtextures.com

Try the above site - TiledTextures. Everything from bark to rocks to sci-fi environments to fabric to fur and lots in between. It's a subscription site but well worth it IMO.

I'm only just learning to texture things, so I'll be giving away any textures I make (if anyone wants them). I'll check with RDNA and see what their terms are for that. I've made some of my own textures last night, but my ability to digital paint in my graphic program is limited to what I can do with a mouse because I accidently broke my tablet (don't ask), and it's in such a place (a connector), that can't be fixed. So any textures I make myself won't have a fancy pattern unless I can find some patterned textile tiles that I can use. I wrote to one site last night and got a reply. I've tentatively got permission for both personal and commercial use. He wanted a little more information which I've supplied. My concern is not so much for me, but for the people using textures I make. I want to make sure that I understand the terms of use as it applies to those who will be using any of the textures that I make. It's one thing for me to get permission to make and either give away or sell a texture, but I'd like to know how that extends to those who are using those textures in their renders (hopes that makes sense).

sorry acadia, just trying to help. heres an url that has lots of links with lots of photo references in them. the milanese lace link looks pretty good. http://www.refalo.com/bobbinlace/bedfordshire.html billy

Attached Link: http://lemog.free.fr/

*My concern is not so much for me, but for the people using textures I make. I want to make sure that I understand the terms of use as it applies to those who will be using any of the textures that I make. It's one thing for me to get permission to make and either give away or sell a texture, but I'd like to know how that extends to those who are using those textures in their renders (hopes that makes sense).* If it's okay for you to use it to make a texture, then it's okay for people to use it in their renders. HOWEVER if the textures you use have a "non-commercial" only clause, then you're going to have to restrict YOUR freebies to "non-commercial use only", i.e. people can't use them for commercial artwork. Does that make sense? Here is a link to lemog's site. He grants permission for commercial and non-commercial use. The site is in French but you can use a translator or puzzle it out :-) Scroll down the homepage about halfway and you'll see the free textures.

I know Billy :) I just didn't want this thread to turn into a discussion about copyrights and end being moved and losing it's intended focus. Yes Karen, that makes perfect sense. Thank you :) Alex from Lemog's site was the person who contacted me and requested more information. Also, apparently if there is any potential "commercial" use ie: store sales where written confirmation is required he gives permission on a case by case basis. By the sounds of his email that means per item you want to sell and isn't a blanket permission to use his tiles in all of your store items. Though I could be mistaken about that. Anyway, I told him that I'm just learning and that I'll be giving things away that I make. I just wanted to clarify with him that it's ok for people to sell their renders if they want, because I know many people bypass freebie items because of the restrictions of "personal use only". I just want to be clear. Better safe than sorry later :) I'm making sure that all my I's are dotted and T's crossed :)

Here:

http://www.mayang.com/textures/

http://www.imageafter.com/

http://www.texturebin.com/

http://www.3dexcellence.com/textures.html

http://www.planit3d.com/source/texture_files/fabric/fabric.html

http://www.marlinstudios.com/samples/sampst9.htm (four free samples)

Also. do a search here under renderosity 2D free stuff, there's some textures there too.
A google search for "free fabric textures" will provide some interesting results as well.
As always.. please see respective licensings.

Here's an idea..get a real high pixel camera..then go to your closet and rip up some of your clothes into squares..and tada..you got your own fabric textures, and you own the copyright too..lol j/k :P

Quote - get a real high pixel camera

I don't own a camera. I haven't owned one for about 25 years. I occasionally buy one of those Kodak disposables, but I always forget to take them in for developing. I think I have 2 in my fridge partially used going back to the early 90's, and I have one someplace in my closet from when I went on vacation a few years ago and took 2 pictures (kept forgetting to use it), LOL I've just never been into the whole photography thing.