{ Question: What do you mean by "try to rough out your texture map ahead of time"? You mean before you do any modeling? How's that possible? I thought you needed a ready made model before you can start on textures and bump maps.} One thing I do is to create the basic shape first. Very rough, very few poly's. To the point, if I'm doing a head, make a somewhat egg-shaped sphere.. and maybe the nose area.. I mean, rough!. At this point, you can already start to do texture work. You have a concept in your head on where you want to go, sketches or whatever.. since you now have your basic shape, you can start to do the textures. In the case of the example Alien head there... I would guess that the features around the 'nose' (horizontal lines there on the tip of the nose) & some of the features of the cheeks are bumps vs. modeled. Some of the deep areas I would still model, but facial lines, imperfections (freckles, worry lines, scars, etc.) I would use the textures / bumps for. :) HTH - James

The doctor says I have way too much blood in my caffeine system.