Um...as ar as I know, the term "alpha" is used in computer graphics to represent transparency (it certainly does around these parts, anyhow.)
well yes, it was originally used for that as I understand but it's used more generally now isn't it?
Do you want the elevation map/bump data of a texture to be stored in the alpha layer? Note this would also restrict us to using 32-bit PNG images, as bitmap and JPEG don't have alpha layers. If you just want the elevation/bump data as a separate image file, then I see no reason why the uploader can't just upload the corresponding elevation image to the same folder at the same time. This would require no changes from DeathTwister / Oshyan.
That's an interesting idea. I was really talking about texture.org not L3DT- yeah I guess that upload idea would work just fine. Creating alphas (greyscale masks really) seems fairly straightforward but the convenience of having a 'bump' would be nice. I could use L3DT for normals, etc couldn't I? I'm still new to this texture lark- I was thinking how I could leverage L3DT the other day. Does L3DT do displacement maps? We could use L3DT in the workflow for that. I read that normals are used for high freq and displacement for low-mid freq deformations.
//edit: just realised that a disp map is really no different from any other greyscale and it depends on the renderer supporting it.
actually never thought of adding bump maps and alpha maps for each textures, but that is not a bad idea.
It's a thought- it would be convenient and helpful to novices maybe? As a texture novice myself I found having a corresponding bump was a bonus -plus it could add value to the site.
Let's make it a great site eh? I think it's going to be a great resource.
bike ride to the coast and maybe get some good redwood bark today to post on TS
Nice! Don't have too many of those around these parts.
/OT
then have musicians coming from out of town to Jam for a couple of days in the studio.
Wish I could be there to play a few bars- maybe sometime send me one of your tracks and I could do a guitar thang in VST or something.
I could send you the track and you could mix it??? I've only got a SoundBlaster at the mo (hehe). When I get my new comp next year I'm looking to put a decent sound card in this old one- come to think of it I have a Marian Marc4 in a drawer somewhere- I could just as easily use that but I don't like installing multiple scards on the same comp- things can get really messy lol- so I may have to wait 'til then. Send me a track anyway and I'll see what I can come up with- I tend to favour a rock/metal sound- all that distortion hides my mistakes
I'll probably register over at the music,org anyway-
monks