The Dark Side of Game Texturing

Rating:
Summary: Brilliant
Review: Although quite adept in Photoshop, I thought this book gave me more "lessons" then I thought initially possible. Overall, I thought it was an excellent read as one can read this over a weekend sitting in front of the computer and replicating each step 1 by 1, or just out on the couch for fun. From the author's insights into game texturing, I was able to quickly gleam how I could instantly recreate the same effects and now am confident discussin game texturing techniques with anyone. I don't generally write reviews, but this one was worth it. This is definitely a good book for anyone who wants to UP their skills and deepen their knowledge.

Rating:
Summary: The same as his other book
Review: Anyone considering purchasing this who has bought David Franson's other book "2D Artwork and 3D Modelling for Game Artists" should think again. This book is just a much smaller version of that. I bought them both, and I was quite disappointed that David would just blatantly copy his other work. There are a few different tutorials but it's not worth paying the price, get the other book instead.

Rating:
Summary: Quite disappointing
Review: I am big on textures for games and 3D. And this one was eagerly anticipated to say the least. I truly wish I was about to write a glorious review, because that would mean I had another new favourite book - but alas that is not so.

First a gripe. Why is it that 80% of the people who write books like this come more across as somebody looking for a job (and using the book as leverage for that), rather than the seasoned pro with several high profile jobs behind them? This seems to be another one.

David Franson takes us through a couple of different scenarios from a lackluster medieval fantasy tutorial to a few weapons tutorials, and ends up with the most interesting piece in the book, a dark futuristic wall tutorial (think Doom 3). However the level of specifications aimed for makes you wonder. At the moment, the world is eagerly awaiting Half Life 2, and Doom 3 will come out just in a few weeks. The texturing work in the current generation of FPS 3D games makes the stuff in this book look laughable. I know the book is fairly recently published, still it is only aiming for quality of work along the lines of Return to Castle Wolfenstein.

So when the users will painstakingly sit and make very dimensional textures, alluding to a lot of shapes and objects beyond the geometry, then they'll quickly and rudely find out that that was ten years ago. These days you have polygons enough for the pipes on your walls.

This seems to completely escape the author, which immediately gives it away as newbie work. So if you are expecting professional grade texture work from this book, don't bother we are unfortunately not even talking skilled mod skinner level, more like hopeful new joiner of mediocre mod team quality level.

I showed the book to my texturing lecturer, who is fresh out of the games industry (where she worked as a texture artist), and immediately the beginners mistakes were jumping at her. Guys, there is nothing in this book you can't find better and more up to date on the web. If you are lost for where to look, check out CG Talk. Or go pick up Matthew Omernick's superb book Creating the Art of the Game, which for once was written by an expert (he worked on Medal of Honor and is now Art Director with Lucasarts - not just gave up his programming or law career like David Franson here), and truly shows it.

Rating:
Summary: GREAT BOOK
Review: I found this book really helpful as a beginner just starting to expand my horizons into making textures. I read the other reviews and I guess that those people are further along or are trying to promote other books and other authors.
I found the tutorials very easy to follow and I was able to make every texture and image, unlike many other books on the market which give you vague direction and provide end-pictures which look nothing like your own final result.
I found the writing style very engaging which is unusual in this type of book -- most books of this type are so dry you can't even read two pages straight.
If you are looking for a book where you can actually make every single diagram and illustration that the author claims you can -- this is your book.

Rating:
Summary: This book is so TOTALLY cool!!!
Review: I just picked up this book at the GDC in March, and can't believe it! I finally found a cool texturing book loaded with awesome, full color tutorials. The book lives up to its name. For a short while I've been able to do some simple texturing for my game mods, but this one hits the spot perfectly since it showed me how to make my game objects look just like the ones form the hottest 3D game titles. I highly recommend this book if you want to know how to make game textures like the way the pros do it. I think if youre trying to get into game development as an artist this is the perfect starting point. I especially liked the medeival and RPG weapon skin chapters, as well as the sprite creating chapters. A++++!

Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I returned this book. Not much of an opening sentence, but that's about all there is to it. The book itself is small and short, and as fast as this industry moves, is quite outdated. Now that in itself wouldn't be such a detrimental thing, as getting a book published often takes over a year from final copy to it showing up on shelves, and game engines are outdated as fast as video cards are. The tutorials and examples are pretty bland, exceedingly flat, and lacking a lot of the detailing that you see in other artist's work. I don't even remember there being anything about texturing characters, which is a major aspect of game texturing. He also doesn't go into the perks of working with layers as much as he should, and a lot of people will probably dive into the tutorials, screw up, and not be able to go back and change things. In games, modularity is king, and appeal comes in a very close second. Unfortunately, this book really lacks both, and you would probably do well to look elsewhere. While being more theory and less practice, Owen Demers' book "Digital Texturing and Painting" might be a better bet. The best bet though, is experience, and the advice and criticism of your peers. Use them.

Rating:
Summary: Who knows what some of these other people are thinking
Review: I think some people get off on writing negative reviews about books, my guess is that some of them did not even read it. The fact is that this book will probably double your texturing skills. Some very powerful, progressive, methods are taught. In the end, you will be using photshop in a completely new light. So what if some of the examples are from a game a few years ago, it does not matter. The techniques will never any time soon be outdated. Examples are just that, examples. It is what is behind the examples that is of such high value in this book. Apply what techniques this book teaches you, and use your creativity to make something that is not from a year or so ago. I'm sure that is what the author intended, as is the case with most. I guess some of these people who write these reviews are already game gods, and anything short of the greatest textures on the planet is of no use to them. Its under 200 pages, but if you work the book the right way and take your time, it will take you almost a month to complete, even if you know photoshop. As for a rehash of what is in his other book, I cannot comment because I have not read it. The final texture tutorial in this book is almost like a Rite of Passage. It is as advanced and as complex as you will find anywhere in print. If you can do it, you're well on your way. Bottom line, there simply is not many texturing books out there, and this is probably the best one available at this time.

Rating:
Summary: Great book
Review: This book is awesome... author teaches how to create a ton of really cool textures, not cheesey ones i've seen online. if you want a great place to start for games and mods, this is the book-- he even covers weapon skinning but wish there was more on character skins. Still a 5 though, all color and very good read.

Rating:
Summary: Killer texturing coverage
Review: Totally killer book- much better than most texturing books out there. the author is step by step and so far i love it, i am into game texturing but havent seen such cool texturing examples in any book. i love the fact its all color too and covers everything cool in games. nothing boring in this book, and is very informatve about designing the textures for popular 3d gamez