Spellbook

Our next big texture task was to create a hand painted book using no Normal or AO Maps. This meant we had to manipulate the layers to 'fake' these maps all on a Diffuse map.

We were given the starting model but had to UV it ourselves in such a way to maximize usage of UV space and joining edges to create a seamless model. 

After laying it out, I took the UV layout into Photoshop and began with some base textures and patterns.

Adding a Bevel and Emboss onto the text and patterns made it look as if they are pushed into the surface. I added some lines with outer glow to show the grooves of the spine.

Next, I added some wear and tear around the edges of the book and added a slight glow to the right side of the book to balance the colour.

I then added a light to the spine using a small opacity airbrush and set the layer to Overlay. I also added more patterns to the clasp in the upper right corner.

Finally, to simulate an AO map, I added some dark patches where shadow and dirt would be.

The final result is above. You can see the painted light from the clasp and the painted AO on the edges of the pages.