When considering to use with in 3D to give a more realistic appearence at times it takes a combination of not only creating the diffuse or color image but then augmenting it with a combination of image maps like bump normal and perhaps abient occlusion map to give that appearence of more depth and realistic look. Some of this can be accomplished in Photoshop or within a 3D application. Here is a tutorial that explains what I am trying to express it is not specific to embroidery but will explain how the use of these additional textures will give a more realistic look to something created with in photoshop.

http://www.cgtextures.com/content.php?action=tutorial&name=normalmap

This is but one approach there are many more that go into more detail in how to add more depth to something to give it the look you are searching for.

Lobo3433

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