for the past week, i've been trying to create a shader for marble or granite in carrara, something decently realistic looking, but haven't been able to find a pattern that i liked

any places i can find some? something that looks good on a countertop or indoor steps
color isn't too much of an issue since i can change those, but goal is something dark/green

Here's a couple of freebie texture sources that might help:

http://www.bencloward.com/textures_stone.shtml

http://www.textureking.com/

Hi Anxon, Texture maps are nice for objects but procedurals are probably the best choice for 3D objects because they "behave" the way marble should when there are curved surfaces. Check out the Shader Tree shown above and start playing around with it. Without the subsurface scattering, the veins appear darker. While the image I've posted may not be what you're looking for, the color mixers will probably get you where you are going. Personally, I love creating light colored marble because the subsurface scattering and the new, transparency absorbtion and in scattering creates some pretty cool results. Mark

yes precedurals are what i want, my bad for not mentioning =P

personally i hate texture maps for any case, aside from greyscale control maps for impossible-to-create patterns

thanks for the setup, i'll play around it. again the colors don't matter to me since i can easily switch them to what i wish - another reason i prefer to avoid texture maps - and what i've been working on mainly is trying to achieve a good dark greenish, or mixed with white veins, mainly a good looking pattern, the "marble effects" such as sss and shininess can go on anything (: