I recently started trying to create texture maps in Illustrator...Thinking that it would be awesome to have one resolution independent master map that I could output at whatever resolution I wanted. Is this an idea that has already been tried? If so why are there no tutorials... All the tutorials on texture have to do with bitmapping...If I weren't still trying to master Illustrator, I'ld make a tutorial myself to share. Any Illustrator gurus out there who want to give it a shot?

I don't know if it's been tried as you envision it. I do know that a texture map has to be in a bitmapped form for it to be applied. In other words, sooner or late it would have to be converted out of vectors and into pixels. I often create things (shapes, patterns) in Illustrator, import 'em into Photoshop (further manipulation), and then save them in an appropriate bitmapped format.

Jim, I have a corel based tutorial for exactly that. as Bobasaur said, they do have to be rasterised before use - but that's trivial :) I know that Schlabber uses CorelDraw for some textures as well. I am planning on making tutorials covering that - but I have about 6 to go before I get there. Meanwhile - ask me questions :) I use Corel more than Illustrator - but vector is vector :) A trick to set up the template - uses Pshop Select outside the areas you need (magic wand tool, one click) Invert selection. Expand selection by 2 to 4 pixels. Save selection as path. Export path to Ai. Import ai into whatever program makes you happy. import original raster template onto separate layer. Line it up and lock down raster. Now make your texture :) Lyrra

Yes, I know that the end result map will need to be bitmapped, I was thinking about saving harddrive space since an .ai file is much smaller than say a 5000 x 5000 image. Thanks for the pointers from the Corel perspective, your right about "vector is vector".

Another tip:

I've started manually gathering files together after I complete a specific project and them burning them to CD (double checking everything of course). I always include a "support" folder that includes things like layered Photoshop files and Illustrator files. You might consider doing that on a "per project" basis and also creating a "master" support folder that includes your master templates - things you'll use repeatedly. That way you can clean off things that are done but you always know where the stuff is to start the next project is.

No sense taking up valuable HD space with archives of stuff you won't use again for months.

and corel has nice little program that will trace a bitmap and turn it into a vector graphic. not to mention that vector graphic programs will all export the bitmaps needed at whatever resolution you want. ~g~ I once used draw to make my signature, for displaying at bottom of letters as bitmap image, was over 10000 pixels wide by 7000 high. but editing the bitmap of it was horrendous to clean up minor little errors.