How do you keep your tiling textures consistent and coherent across different assets and scenes?

1 Use the same texture size and resolution

One of the most important factors to consider when using tiling textures is the size and resolution of your texture files. Ideally, you want to use the same size and resolution for all your tiling textures, or at least for the ones that belong to the same material or surface type. This will ensure that your textures will tile seamlessly and uniformly across different assets and scenes, without creating noticeable seams, gaps, or distortions. If you use different sizes or resolutions, you will have to adjust your UV scale and offset for each asset, which can be tedious and error-prone.

2 Plan your UV layout and seams

Another key aspect of using tiling textures is planning your UV layout and seams. You want to make sure that your UV islands are as large and continuous as possible, to minimize the number of seams and transitions between different textures. You also want to avoid placing seams on prominent or curved areas, where they can be more visible and distracting. Instead, try to hide them on flat or hidden areas, such as the back or bottom of an object, or along natural edges or creases. You can also use tools like UV checker maps or UV overlays to check your UV layout and seams for any issues or inconsistencies.

3 Use texture variations and masks

One of the common problems with tiling textures is that they can look repetitive and boring, especially if you use the same texture for large or complex surfaces. To avoid this, you can use texture variations and masks to add some diversity and interest to your tiling textures. Texture variations are simply different versions of the same texture, with subtle changes in color, brightness, contrast, or noise. You can use them to create some variation in your tiling patterns, or to simulate different lighting or weather conditions. Masks are grayscale images that you can use to blend or mix different textures together, creating more complex and realistic surfaces. You can use masks to create details like dirt, scratches, rust, or wear and tear on your tiling textures.

4 Use texture atlases and trim sheets

Another way to optimize your tiling textures and UV mapping is to use texture atlases and trim sheets. Texture atlases are single texture files that contain multiple smaller textures arranged in a grid. Trim sheets are similar, but they contain only thin strips or borders of textures that you can use to decorate or trim your assets. Both texture atlases and trim sheets allow you to save memory and disk space, as well as reduce the number of draw calls and materials in your scene. They also give you more flexibility and control over your UV mapping, as you can easily switch or rotate textures by adjusting your UV coordinates.

5 Use procedural textures and generators

Finally, you can also use procedural textures and generators to create tiling textures that are more dynamic and customizable. Procedural textures are textures that are generated by mathematical algorithms, rather than by images or photos. They can be adjusted and modified by changing parameters, such as color, scale, rotation, or noise. Generators are tools or software that can create procedural textures for you, based on your inputs and preferences. Some examples of generators are Substance Designer, Quixel Mixer, or Blender's node editor. Procedural textures and generators can help you create tiling textures that are more unique and varied, as well as more adaptable and scalable for different assets and scenes.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?