This is most likely a silly question, but here goes. Just browsing through my texture library and a question struck me. Do texture maps that have contoured features (recognizable faces etc)have any benefit over a flat image. For example if I do a texture map in Deep Paint - it won't be as recognizable or look as pretty in map form as some of the creation you buy or download. However it will still look good when rendered. I am not for a minute saying the contoured maps don't look excellent By contouring the map so as breasts and noses etc show up recognizably, isn't one aadding extra shadows to the final rendered image that "shouldn't be there". What I mean is if I unwrapped my skin from my body, I may have wrinkles etc but it shouldn't have shaded areas defining my nose etc. As I said silly notion - but just something I thought about and would like to hear others views.....

IMO i think it depends on the person doing the texturing. Some artists are adding shadows them selves, others let poser do the work for them. I am personally using Hi Res Photographs and I have found they work for me and against me at times. I really depends on your style of texture you are creating and taste.

For those more theatrical textures, you will want to add additional shadows and highlights. (Have you ever examined Isolde's face through opera glasses? Ugh! They get hired for singing and a makeup artist has to add a pretty face to the top.) Villains, ogres, ratty-nosed space aliens, or exotic dancers can all use a bit more visual shaping to augment the mesh. Regular models don't, and it often looks really weird, even if it aligns perfectly. Carolly

"isn't one adding extra shadows to the final rendered image that "[wouldn't] be there"?" That kinda nails it. If you really do want to suggest a shape with 'extra' shadows where the mesh will not generate them, then they make sense. Kinda like the shape suggestive shadows created by bump maps. You are right though, in suggesting that many that get left in from photo-sampled maps are gratuitous, inappropriate and can result in a bogus look. --And you realize that this IS your second post this year stranger. Quit hogging all the bandwidth! ;-)