Hello all.

We need a good texture creation program and have been looking at Darktree since it works with both A:M and Lightwave.

Is anyone currently using Darktree (not the simbiont plugin for A:M, but the actual program). My fear is that all the dates (support and such) on the website are from a few years ago.

Is it worth $400 (I can get it cheaper via academic sites)? Is it still supported? Does it work with A:M v15 using the simbiont plugin?

Are there any other programs that are worthy, do about the same exact thing as Darktree and are possibly less expensive?

Thank you for anyone's experience with this program.

Mike

Hi,
i am using DT 2.5 and i love it.
I know that there are other programs which
are a bit like DT, but as far as i know is
DT still the most capable of its kind.
Cheers
Heiner

Thank you for answering (I thought no one would).

Is there any other program like Darktree available that is integrated INTO A:M through a plugin, or is Darktree the only one. I am only looking for procedural texturing and not bitmap texturing solutions.

Thanks again for your response.

Mike

I'm still currently using Darktree. The only other texturing option of any depth is AM Textures, but it's not as flexible as Darktree.
The Darksim site does seem to be on hold, but August has said in the past they'll return to Darktree after they finish their procedural paint program.
Edit: AM Textures = EnhanceAM

Have any of you tried MapZone2? I found it, it's actually FREE and seems to kick total butt. Downside: shader or texture only. Other than using as a bitmap texture/decal, how can we use this software with A:M?

Anyone care to discuss?

Mike

Unless you're a programmer, you're stuck with using it to generate bitmaps. If you are happy with that there's a plethora of options, but to stay procedural DarkTree is it.

Here a link to Enhance:AM. I'm not sure if it's still available.

http://www.shaders.org/enhance:am/

Were those made with Darktree and then sold as a product or are those something completely different?

At $40, it seems like a steal. Is it good? What gets me with Darktree is the layering of textures to make a VERY 3D looking texture (I love that goopy one with the green dome, wow).

Mike

They're not DarkTree, but something else, and I also would love to know how these texture plugins are made (in words of one syllable).

Have you tried the demo ones http://www.shaders.org/enhance:am/tutorials.htm? I bought them in gratitude for creating a flaming eye, (and because they look really pretty, and I can't resist candy), but I haven't really explored them much.

The downside to them is that I don't think the materials themselves can be shared without the underlying purchased textures, but if you were just using them for your own production, then that's not a concern.

I have tried MapZone, but need more time with it - I'm learning procedurals first. It seems great, and there's nothing wrong with bitmapped textures. And it's free.