Is there a tutorial available that would tell me how to convert a jpeg to mat for use in Bryce or must I use texture mapping? Thanks folks!

Are you talking about making a jpeg into a material in the DTE (which I would like to do but haven't figured out how, so far can only use what came with Bryce) or apply that jpeg to an object? To apply a jpeg to an object, put a marble in one of the channels then on the right side under the picture is a button with a P, click it and this will change the source from a procedural to a picture. Click the button above the pic (directly above the P button) and load your jpeg. Then play with the different mapping modes.

That jpeg to object stuff is texture mapping. I know how to do that, but I wanted to make a jpeg into a material, though not necessarily using the DTE. I'll tell you why. I've come across some pretty good texture creation programs, but they only allow you to save your texture as a standard graphic format like a jpeg or a tiff. I want to be able to use the texture without using texture mapping if possible, though I think I may have no other choice.

Well the only way to make a material is with procedurals in the DTE. I'd like to be able to load my own pictures into the DTE to use as well but haven't figured out how, instead I'm stuck with the preset bumps, etc. If anyone knows how to do this please let us know.IOW how do you add a picture to the texture library in the DTE (not the material library next to the edit menu). It seems to only accept .brt files. Also whenever I'm in the texture library and select user the window disappears and I'm back to the material editor but nothing works, everything I click on just beeps and I have to shut Bryce down to get out of it.

I believe there is a way to add stuff to the texture library, but I don't have my book in front of me. It's at home and I'm at work. Also, I am a little confused. Are you talking about the Materials Window or the DTE? It sounds like you are talking about the DTE. You can import materials. You can even add folders to the list that already exists, then save new materials in them.

No I mean by shift-clicking on the circled button. It seems to only accept .brt files which are bryce native files. How can we add our own pictures here?

Ah...just making sure. I haven't been about to add files either, though I've tried to do it inside of Bryce and out. I'm with you. If anyone knows how to do this, holler.

Well, not sure if this is what youre after, but you make a .mat-file of any picture, by clicking this!

Rudolf Herczog
Digital Artist
www.rochr.com

...and just press "ADD"...

Rudolf Herczog
Digital Artist
www.rochr.com

Aye, Velvet, Aldaron, the reason you cannot import image files into the DTE directly is because the elements are NOT images. They are mathematical equations which create an image when combined. Does this make sense? When you shift click the "texture" element library on the right, you are actually looking at math, not images. As opposed to the library that rochr displayed, which is the material library. A ".jpg" file contains no fractal values, so will never work in this case...

So are you saying there's no way to add new textures to the texture library? That kinda sucks. BTW thanks Rochr but already knew about the material libaray, that one's easy....it's the texture library I'd like to add to because sometimes I can't find the pattern I want to use in the DTE.

shadowdragonlord's right, there's no s/w on earth that can convert JPG to procedural (although it would be cool if there was!) I have Corel 9 texture creator (like the Bryce one, but with more channels) but of course I can't use it in Bryce unless I map the exported JPG as a static tex. In Bryce, you can either use the mat libraries for procs or the lst libraries for pictures. The only disadvantage is that they're in a different place, otherwise the effect is the same.

Alderon - you posted whilst I was writing that ;) - you CAN add textures to the texture library after SHIFT clicking - I've just done it - but only ones you've created in Bryce, not external ones. I'm confused myself, now... :) I hope this answers your Q.

Yep it answers my question. I knew about saving thetextures within Bryce, I was hoping to add more from other programs...oh well.

Thanks folks for clearing that texture thing up. I like Aldaron knew about the other features. I guessI am stuck using jpegs as a texture map. Shadowdragonlord,the fractal explanation makes perfect sense. I could kick myself for not realizing this sooner as all this was explained in detail at Bryce Camp 2002. I must have had my head somewhere else...(hehehe) Nu-be - those mat files come from lots of places. I've found some texture generators, but they generate to jpeg. Still there are hundreds of sites that have .mat and other files for free download, especially in Europe. (I've gotten very good at reading German, France and Dutch!) If you want to make your own, my suggestion would be to purchase Susan Kitchen's "Real World Bryce" book as she explains the DTE in detail. I've created a number of materials myself that I will be uploading soon and you'll be welcome to them.