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So, I tried making a chrome texture for my lightsaber model, and I must say, I'm less than satisfied with the results....


I've gotten better at doing textures, but I can't seem to get the right look for this one.
My Texture:


I tried messing around with Brightness/Contrast/Detail in Photoshop, but all I got was a image that looked like crud....

Does anyone have tips/suggestions as to how to create a nice chrome lightsaber texture?

You could search the web for some nice metal textures.

Hmm I tried this out. Here's my results. Best advice I have is to kept at it till ya have what ya want.

icemembers results

icemember wrote:Hmm I tried this out. Here's my results. Best advice I have is to kept at it till ya have what ya want.

icemembers results

Hidden/Spoiler:

Image didn't show.

EDIT: nvm, worked in my post.

@Xav: I already tried, but not only would I prefer to make my own, none of the textures out there look very good on a lightsaber.

EDIT2: *facepalm* I spec-mapped it and its shiny now.
You can lock this nao, unless someone has a non-specular way to make a good lightsaber texture.

DarthRogueKnight wrote:You can lock this nao, unless someone has a non-specular way to make a good lightsaber texture.

It is always better to learn; I would love to hear tips on making good chrome as well (or at least better than what I currently can do).

The way I do it (which may or may not be the best way) is to use a simple gradient and then adjust its luminosity curve:
Basic gradient (dark to light grey):

Luminosity curve (curve tool) - note how the curve is a sine-esque wave that follows the default inclined line:


It will probably be best if you add a slight motion blur against the grain (in this case horizontally):