I am currently following the texting course and also the human course and am slightly confused about the uses for image texturing vs procedural texting. I noticed that in the human course he used image texturing and in the current course he is using procedural. What is better to use when and why is it better?
Side question also: why do you not have to UV map procedural textures?
Hi Emily,
Broadly speaking:
a Procedural Texture is an 'infinite' 3 dimensional texture and you place your model inside that Texture and only show the texture where the model is, a bit like when you cut a wooden object out of a tree (so you don't need a UV Map),
whereas an Image Texture is 2 dimensional and of a fixed size (and therefore is often repeated, when it is 'too small' to cover the whole model. It is a bit like it is being wrapped around the model, like wrapping paper.
Procedural Textures has the advantage that there is no repetition (and no seams), whereas Image Textures can easily be exported to other programs (for instance game engines).
There are also combinations possible, like for instance in the Human Course.
The Fundamentals of Texturing in Blender Course explains everything in greater detail.
You could be tempted to say that procedural is better, but not really, they each have their limitations and effectiveness. There is no one better than the other, it depends on the use cases. Do not think about it of one of the other, just when it's practical to use one approach and when to use the other.
Image textures are limited in the pixel resolution and that the image is fixed. Procedural are infinite resolution and infinite pattern, they are mathematically generated. Each have their scenario where is better to use one over the other. In time you'll learn where is better to use whichever, it'll depended on you and your situation.
Procedural do not use UV's, that is another reason why people tend to like them, you don't have to unwrap your model. Since procedural is all around in the 3D world and they are generated using math, you don't need the coordinates of the model from the UV islands.
Link to the Fundamentals of texturing:
https://cgcookie.com/courses/fundamentals-of-texturing-in-blender