What are the advantages and disadvantages of using procedural textures versus image-based textures?

Speaking from a freelancer's perspective, it's best to be self-reliant wherever possible. Everything is a trade-off. The advantage of an image-based texture is speed, especially if you've also got the normal map and, even better, the displacement map, too. The disadvantage that comes with this, though, is you are dependent on someone else having created these resources. Not the case with procedural textures. You can limitlessly expand your skill. Especially with the advent of geometry nodes, procedural capability really is limitless. Geometry node ability stems from your ability with procedural textures. Don't be limited by someone else's imagination, use your own to its fullest potential.

It's counterintuitive, that the more memory-efficient option should provide greater versatility. That's the case with procedural textures. They are infinitely scalable, with no loss in resolution, because they aren't reliant on an image. You've created a formula that you can use across a mesh of any size.

I firmly believe that the biggest limitation with procedural textures is the user's personal skill level, something that can always be expanded. Sure, at first you might not be able to match the realism of a photographic texture, but after enough iteration and practise, you can get there. The best option, as is often the case, is a hybrid. Using images within your procedural node tree, combining images with your own creations to iterate and create something new, and better.

Procedural textures are great for VR, games, and scalability because they can be any size without losing quality and don't take up much space. They're flexible but need skill to create and can be slow. Image textures look real and are easy to use, with lots available online. But they can get blurry if stretched, use lots of memory, and show seams when tiled. Each type has its place depending on how detailed and realistic you need things to look in digital worlds.

Complexity and difficulty are certainly things to consider, but they're only obstacles to overcome. More prevalent, when it comes to workflow, is speed. Image textures take up much less time, because they are effectively prebuilt. That's the main consideration.

One drawback of procedural textures lies in their compatibility and portability challenges across diverse platforms and applications. These textures are often software-specific, meaning they may not appear or function identically in various programs or devices. For instance, a procedural texture crafted in Blender might not seamlessly translate to Unity or Unreal Engine. In contrast, image-based textures offer universality and standardization, existing as simple, exportable images in formats like PNG or JPG. This universality ensures smoother integration across different platforms and applications, enhancing the overall design process.

The magic lies not just in pixels and textures but in Each project is a narrative waiting to be unfolded—a tale of spaces and emotions woven together. It's about more than aesthetics; it's about creating environments that breathe life, evoke feelings, and spark imagination. Every stroke of design and every meticulously placed element serves as a brushstroke in the canvas of experience. It's the unspoken connection between design and human emotion that truly brings spaces to life, making this creative journey endlessly fascinating and profoundly impactful.