How to make PBR textures with AI for Games and 3D

Vladimir Chopine [GeekatPlay]
31 Jul 202413:42

TLDRThis video tutorial explores the use of AI technology to create realistic PBR textures for 3D models, specifically focusing on generating a tree bark texture. It demonstrates how to utilize mid Journey for seamless texture generation, upscale images with Gigapixel, and refine textures in Photoshop. The process also includes converting the texture into PBR materials using Armory Lab and applying them in Plan Factory to create sellable 3D trees. The video promises a wealth of knowledge for those interested in 3D modeling and texturing.

Takeaways

  • 🌲 Creating realistic textures is crucial for the success of a 3D model in terms of visual appeal.
  • 🎨 Utilizing AI technology can assist in generating PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials for various applications.
  • 📷 AI can generate images such as tree bark textures, which can be used to create 3D models for sale on multiple platforms.
  • 🔄 The 'L - - tile' command in AI tools is essential for creating seamless textures that can be tiled without visible seams.
  • 🔍 If an AI tool lacks a tiling option, Photoshop can be used to create seamless textures by offsetting and blending image edges.
  • 🔎 Upscaling the resolution of textures can be done using applications like Gigapixel, which can significantly increase image size without losing quality.
  • 🛠️ Photoshop's new features, such as the 'Neural Filters', simplify the process of creating seamless textures by automatically filling in gaps.
  • 🛡️ Armory Lab is a tool that can convert AI-generated images into PBR textures, providing a range of material properties like color, roughness, and normal maps.
  • 🏗️ Planar Factory, a free application, can be used to create and export 3D trees with applied textures for use in video games and other platforms.
  • 🔄 The process of applying textures in 3D modeling involves mapping AI-generated images to material properties in a 3D application.
  • 📚 The video provides a wealth of information on using AI for texture creation, including tips on upscaling, tiling, and applying textures in 3D modeling.

Q & A

  • What is the main focus of the video?

    -The video focuses on how to use AI technology to create PBR textures for 3D models, specifically for creating realistic tree bark textures that can be used in various applications and sold on multiple platforms.

  • What is PBR material and why is it important in 3D modeling?

    -PBR, or Physically Based Rendering, is a material setup that simulates the physical properties of a surface, making it look more realistic. It's important in 3D modeling because it enhances the visual quality and realism of models in games and other 3D applications.

  • What AI tool is mentioned in the video for generating textures?

    -Mid Journey is mentioned as the AI tool used for generating textures in the video.

  • What is the significance of the L-dash-dash-tile command in Mid Journey?

    -The L-dash-dash-tile command in Mid Journey ensures that the generated texture is seamless on the edges, allowing it to be tiled without visible seams.

  • Why is upscaling the generated texture important?

    -Upscaling the generated texture is important because it allows for higher resolution textures that can be used in more detailed 3D models without losing quality.

  • What application is recommended for upscaling textures in the video?

    -Gigapixels is recommended for upscaling textures in the video due to its ability to significantly increase the size of images without losing quality or adding unwanted details.

  • How can Photoshop be used to fix issues with non-tiling textures?

    -Photoshop can be used to adjust and blend the borders of non-tiling textures to create a seamless appearance by using features like the offset filter and the content-aware fill tool.

  • What is Armor Lab and how is it used in the video?

    -Armor Lab is a PBR texture processing application used in the video to convert the generated texture into a PBR material with various channels like base color, occlusion, roughness, metallic, and normal.

  • What is the Plan Factory and how does it relate to the video's content?

    -The Plan Factory is an application for creating 3D trees and plants. In the video, it is used to apply the generated PBR textures to create realistic trees that can be exported and sold on various platforms.

  • How can the PBR textures created in the video be used in a 3D model?

    -The PBR textures can be applied to different parts of a 3D model, such as the trunk and branches of a tree, to give it a realistic appearance. The textures can be adjusted and customized for each part of the model in a material editor.

  • What are the potential issues with using high displacement values in 3D models?

    -High displacement values can cause artifacts and visual distortions in 3D models, making the texture appear to break or map improperly. It's important to find a balance between realistic detail and maintaining the integrity of the model's appearance.

Outlines

00:00

🌲 Creating Seamless PBR Textures with AI

This paragraph introduces the importance of texture in 3D modeling and how it can greatly affect the realism of a model. The speaker discusses utilizing AI technology to create PBR (Physically Based Rendering) materials, specifically for creating tree bark textures. The process involves generating an image with tiling capabilities using software like Mid Journey, which is crucial for seamless edges. The speaker also mentions the use of upscaling applications like Gigapixels to enhance the resolution without losing quality. Additionally, for those who do not have access to certain tiling options, Photoshop techniques are suggested to create seamless textures by offsetting and replacing darker areas to avoid visible squares in the final texture.

05:00

🛠️ Converting Textures into PBR Materials with Armory

The second paragraph delves into the conversion of generated textures into PBR materials using Armory, a tool that the speaker supports by purchase due to its utility and affordability. Armory is available for purchase or can be downloaded from GitHub where it is actively updated. The speaker guides through the process of using Armory to upscale textures and convert them into PBR-ready materials, including base color, occlusion, roughness, metallic, normal, and height maps. The importance of previewing textures for tiling issues is highlighted, and the ease of exporting separate files for each PBR channel is demonstrated. The speaker also mentions the use of Plan Factory, a free application for creating trees that can be sold commercially, and shares a quick example of applying textures to a tree model.

10:02

🎨 Customizing Materials for 3D Models in a Material Editor

The final paragraph focuses on customizing materials for different parts of a 3D model, such as a tree, using a material editor. The speaker explains how to apply textures to the trunk and branches, and how to adjust material properties like bump, height, displacement, and roughness maps to achieve a realistic look. It is emphasized to be cautious with displacement values to avoid artifacts. The speaker also mentions the availability of different maps like metallic and occlusion, and the process of setting up these maps in the material editor. The paragraph concludes with the speaker's intention to share a variety of textures on their Patreon for subscribers, and encourages viewers to subscribe, like, and share the video for support.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡PBR textures

Physically Based Rendering (PBR) textures are a set of image maps used in 3D rendering to simulate the physical properties of a material, such as its color, roughness, and metallicity. In the video, PBR textures are crucial for achieving realistic appearances in 3D models, especially for elements like tree bark. The script mentions using AI technology to create these materials, indicating the integration of modern techniques with traditional 3D modeling.

💡AI technology

Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology refers to the use of computer systems to perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence, such as learning, reasoning, and problem-solving. The video script discusses leveraging AI to assist in the creation of PBR materials, demonstrating how AI can streamline the process of generating realistic textures for 3D models.

💡Mid Journey

Mid Journey appears to be a tool or software mentioned in the script for generating images, possibly referring to a specific AI-driven image generation platform. The script specifies using the command 'L-dash-dash-tile' within Mid Journey to create seamless textures, which are essential for tiling in 3D models without visible seams.

💡Seamless texture

A seamless texture is an image that can be tiled without any visible repetition or seams, which is particularly important in 3D modeling to avoid visual artifacts when textures are repeated across a surface. The script describes generating a seamless bark texture using AI and ensuring it works well when stitched together.

💡Upscaling

Upscaling refers to the process of increasing the resolution of an image or texture while maintaining or improving its quality. The video mentions using applications like Gigapixels to upscale textures generated by AI, allowing for higher quality and more detailed textures in 3D models.

💡Gigapixels

Gigapixels is an application mentioned in the script that can upscale images up to 600 times their original size. It is highlighted for its ability to increase resolution without compromising the integrity of the texture, which is vital for creating high-quality PBR materials.

💡Photoshop

Photoshop is a widely used image editing software that offers a variety of tools for manipulating images. In the context of the video, Photoshop is used to fix issues with non-tiling images, such as adjusting luminosity and using the clone tool to create seamless textures.

💡Plan factory

Plan factory is an application from Eon software, mentioned as a free alternative to SpeedTree for creating 3D trees and plants. The script describes using Plan factory to create a tree model, apply the generated PBR textures, and export it for use in various platforms.

💡Displacement map

A displacement map is a type of image used in 3D rendering to create geometric detail on a model's surface. The script discusses using a height map as a displacement map to add depth and realism to the tree bark texture in the 3D model.

💡Normal map

A normal map is an image that simulates the appearance of a complex surface detail by altering the surface normals of a 3D model, creating the illusion of depth without adding extra geometry. The video script explains using a normal map to enhance the visual detail of the tree bark texture.

💡Roughness map

A roughness map defines the microsurface variations of a material, affecting how reflections appear on the surface. In the script, a roughness map is used in conjunction with other PBR maps to achieve a realistic look for the tree bark material in 3D.

💡Metallic map

A metallic map indicates the metallic properties of a material, which influences how light interacts with the surface in a 3D scene. Although not present in the generated textures in the script, a metallic map would be used to define areas of the material that are metallic or non-metallic.

Highlights

Utilizing AI technology to create realistic PBR materials for 3D models.

Creating seamless textures with the AI tool 'Mid Journey' to avoid visible seams.

Using the command 'L-dash-dash-tile' to ensure seamless edges in textures.

Generating normal, bump maps, and other textures to enhance 3D model realism.

The importance of upscaling textures without losing quality using applications like 'Gigapixel'.

Comparing different AI applications for texture upscaling and their respective capabilities.

Fixing texture border issues in Photoshop to create seamless textures.

Using the filter 'offset' in Photoshop to adjust and fix texture tiling.

Applying AI technology within Photoshop for an easier and more efficient texture editing process.

Converting AI-generated textures into PBR materials using tools like 'Armor Lab'.

Previewing texture tiling in Armor Lab to ensure seamless integration in 3D models.

Exporting PBR materials with separate files for base color, occlusion, roughness, metallic, and normal maps.

Using the free application 'Plant Factory' to create and sell commercial 3D trees.

Applying PBR textures to different parts of a 3D tree model for realistic variations.

Adjusting displacement values in materials to avoid artifacts in 3D models.

Creating custom PBR materials in the material editor with texture maps.

The availability of pre-generated PBR textures for subscribers on the creator's Patreon.

The ease and efficiency of creating PBR textures with AI tools for 3D modeling.