Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Chapter 3. Creating Natural Materials in
Cycles
In this chapter, we will cover:
• Creating a rock material using image maps
• Creating a rock material using procedural textures
• Creating a sand material using procedural textures
• Creating a simple ground material using procedural textures
• Creating a snow material using procedural textures
• Creating an ice material using procedural textures
• Creating a clean running water material
Introduction
Replicating "nature" can be quite a difficult task. Natural materials are usually the most
difficult to recreate in a satisfying way using computers, mainly because the "orderly
chaos" of nature is not the best fit for the "orderly logic" of an electronic machine.
Too often we see even cubes that look obviously computer generated because of the
neatness add regularity of their shapes or surfaces. Actually, in reproducing true-to-
life natural objects (or material as well), we have to start from the absolute regularity
of the computer simulation and then, step by step, blemish it in a controlled way, to
reach a more natural look.
