Ordering Questions:

• Do you sell to non-USA customers?
  • Certainly! we have customers in: India, France, Australia, Finland and many more countries around the world.
• My internet connection or web browser is too slow/unreliable to download the texture package that I purchased. What should I do?
  • If your web browser is having problems completing a download of our products, here are some free programs for Windows and Mac that cam help:
    
    WINDOWS USERS
    This free program can help you successfully download large files: http://www.freshdevices.com/download_large_files.html
    and can probably resume the download if a problem is encountered.

    MAC USERS
    iGetter offers a free evaluation version of their downloading program, it can resume downloads that get interrupted.

    (if you these tips don’t help, please see the next question!)

• After I buy a texture package, can you mail me a DVD with the textures?
  • Certainly, simply contact us and make sure to provide your order information and mailing address. We will then mail you a DVD (we even pay for the shipping).
• Payment Methods
  
  • We accept Visa, MasterCard and Discover card.
• Can I order images individually?
  
  • Yes. If you do not need all the images on a set, you may order images individually; all individual textures are $10 each. Please contact us if you need individual images

Texture Questions

• What is an Image Map/Texture Map? What are they used for, and why should I use them?

• An Image Map is a photograph of an object (tree, bush, people, etc.) that can be used in 2d or 3d rendering programs. The image map will create a photorealistic appearance on the objects they are assigned to. Each image map will have a transparency map that is included, allowing for the background to be transparent or deleted. The benefit of using a map is more realistic renderings and less rendering time due to decreased geometry.
• A Texture Map is a photograph of a surface (grass, asphalt, wood, etc.) that can be applied to an object in a 2d or 3d rendering program. They are useful when you do not want to use a procedural map or pattern that is created by the rendering software. Each Texture Map comes with a bump map. The bump map is useful in 3d modeling programs; this grey scale image tells the computer to make a relief in the surface, thus creating a more realistic texture on the applied surface. All of the texture maps created by Net Render are seamless and tileable. Using texture maps on surfaces will make the renderings look more realistic.
• There are many definitions of what Image Maps and Texture Maps are; they are typically defined by the type of program application (2d or 3d) that you use. Some applications call them color maps, image maps, texture maps, photo maps, etc. Overall, they are universally the same thing, and used in very similar ways. Note: We do not illustrate any of our images, they are all raster based. Each image has been photographed with a high resolution DSLR (digital SLR), post processed in Photoshop CS3 and other proprietary software.
• I have never used an image map or a texture map. Where can I find a tutorial?
  • Using an image map or a texture map is very easy, whether you are using it through a 3d modeling program, or if you are using it through photo editing software, please click here to see our easy tutorial.
  • You most likely will import the texture maps or image maps in your 3D program through the “Materials Editor” or something similar depending on your particular application. Texture maps can be used over any surface, and if they are seamless and tileable, they may be used on large surfaces. Trees and other similar objects are placed on flat 2D vertical planes; this technique will substantially reducing the rendering time needed to generate what appears to be a 3D object. For a quick tutorial on this technique please click here.
  • If you are going to be moving around the object in an animation, it is recommended that you cross the image 90 degrees to each other, this technique will allow for the camera to rotate around the object and still give the appearance of a three dimensional object. To see a quick tutorial on this technique please click here. Another method is linking the single object with the camera so that it always appears to be facing the user as you move throughout a scene, please consult your application user’s manual for proper instruction on how to do this.
  • When in doubt, best to check your software manual or post in our online forums. There you will be able to connect with experts who are familiar with your particular software application.
• What are the system requirements for an Image/Texture Map?
  • You may use any platform computer (PC, Macintosh, etc).
  • You need to have some sort of graphics software program (2D or 3D) capable of importing a raster .TIF, .JPEG, or .TGA image with alpha channel mask.
  • If you have any questions to know if you are able to use our products you may e-mail us, or better yet, download our free samples here.
• After I have made my purchase, how do I receive the image/texture maps?
  • You have the option to receive them through a direct download, or we can mail you a CD at no additional charge. Direct download is available 24/7; you will receive a download link via an e-mail.
  • Please note that most of our image sets are 100MBs – 1GB in size, so please make sure that you have a reliable, high-speed internet connection.
• What file formats do the image maps come in?
  • At the time of purchase you will have the option to download or receive the files from the following formats.
    • 32 bit .TIF (LZW compressed) file format with an alpha channel mask. They are placed against a RGB 0,0,0 black background. (1 file total for one image map)
    • 32 bit .JPEG file format, one image file for the image placed against a RGB 0,0,0 black background. A second image is a 32 bit .JPEG for the image mask. (2 files total for one image map)
    • 32 bit .TGA file format with an alpha channel mask. They are placed against a RGB 0,0,0 black background. (1 file total for one image map)Note: If your specific application does not presently support a 32 bit TIF, JPEG, or TGA file format and requires another format, it will be necessary that you also have another software utility capable of converting from 32 bit to your required file format.
• How do I remove the black background from the image?
  • If you are using Adobe Photoshop, please do not use the Magic Wand tool to remove the image from the black background. If you use the magic wand, you have defeated the purpose of the work we have done. We have already cut out the image and placed it on a mask, this is called the alpha channel.
  • To remove the object from the black background, please do the following: Open Photoshop. Load the image file, by going to “File”, click “Open”, then click on the image you want. After the image appears on your screen, go to “Select”, click on “Load Selection”. Once that loads, you will see the word “Alpha Channel”, click OK. You will now see a moving marquis appear around the image. Click on your Move tool (the Move tool icon has an arrow head and cross on it). Position your Move tool inside the moving marquis of the image, click on your mouse and literally drag the image off the black background onto your new graphic.
  • The image now becomes its own Layer in your new graphic. Once inside this new graphic you may do your transforming if necessary.Occasionally you might end up with a thin edge of black pixels around your image after you have removed it from the black background. If this is the case, click on Layer, go to Matting. Click on Remove Black Matte. And, the black will go away.Note: Most software treats black (0,0,0) as transparent. If your software has this capability, set the key color or transparent color to black. Other systems may require the background be white. This is readily done using image processing software by simply changing all black (0,0,0) pixels to the desired background color.
• Are the wall, brick, and stone textures tileable and seamless?
  • Yes, all of the textures on our CD’s are tileable and seamless. Each texture has been crafted to repeat over large surfaces. The resolution sizes of the textures are very large, we recommend sizing them down prior to importing them into a 3d modeling program, please consult your program application user manual for the maximum resolution allowed.
• Do the textures come with a bump map?
  • Yes, each Texture Map comes with a separate bump map file. The bump map is useful in 3d modeling programs; this grey scale image tells the computer to make a relief in the surface, thus creating a more realistic texture on the applied surface. Through your 3d modeling program you will be able to adjust the level of the bump map.
• How do I find “pixels per foot” for my 3D program?
  • For some 3D programs you will need to find the pixels per foot of each image. This can be done by deciding how tall the object is and dividing that number by the pixel height listed below. Example, if a person in an image looks to be approximately 5′8″ (68 inches total) tall and the pixel height is 2309 pixels. Divide 2309 pixels by 68″ = 34 pixels per inch, then multiply 34 by 12″ (1 foot) = 408 pixels per foot. (Round up fractions.

Other Questions? Please let us know!

• If you have any other questions please let us know and you will receive a prompt and responsive answer.