How to create chipped stone/flint material?

KnobbyNobbes

So, I was browsing polycount today when I came across the below image (weapon on the right). Immediately, I knew I wanted to turn it into a Quixel smart material. Problem is, I am not sure how I would go about making such a texture. Normally at that point, I would go and google 'insert texture description here' texture and poof, have a good starting point with hundreds of references.

Not so with this. I am not even sure what this type of texture is called. Chipped stone isn't it, flint tool/knife is closer, knapping is the process that is used to get to this texture in the real world, but there really aren't many/any flat texture reference images out there that I can find.


One image I found is close, but again, not a full image of it.


So, my question to you all is,

first: what on earth is this texture type named?

and second: how would you all go about making such a texture. I definitely want not just an albedo, but a normal map as well to really help sell the effect, but am not sure how I would go about getting a normal that would match without having to go into sculpting it, which i am NOT good at.

ExcessiveZero

well sculpting is by far the easiest way, I would suggest just using the mallet brush in zbrush (lightbox>brushes>Mallet) you don't have to be good at sculpting just subdivide the blade and you can do it with the mouse.

the other way would be I would say to plan out the randomness of the ridges then subd edge supporting loops and the like, as I doubt the displacement map would get the effect quite right although I may be wrong there so it could be worth looking into if that isn't working out for you.

but sculpting for sure makes this a 10 minute job at best even with no skills and a mouse while traditionally modeling this unless someone has some more tricks I think would take much longer.

musashidan

I'd also advocate sculpting in ZB. You can't really go far wrong. A combo of trim dynamic and Orb flatten brush is absolutely perfect for this. Another option is Substance Designer if that were indeed an option for you.

Steppenwolf

I think the easiest way would actualy be Substance Designer, all steps considered. I would start off with inverted cells 1 and some warps.

KnobbyNobbes

Dang, I was hoping you all wouldn't say that. I don't really have $800 to slap down on that program and was hoping to save off getting the 45 day trial till I had a project (or a bunch of projects) that absolutely required me to use Zbrush. I don't suppose they have some hidden away cheaper version. Or pay per month version. What I do have, however, is 3D Coat. That has some sculpting tools in it, though I am not particularly familiar with them. Is there a version of the Mallet brush in 3D Coat?

AtticusMars

I'm sure you could sculpt it in 3DC or Blender, I do not think substance would work for this unless you're just looking to use it as a tileable texture. If you need something that actually looks like a chipped blade you're going to have to sculpt the details and bake it. Would love to be proven wrong tho...

KnobbyNobbes

Actually, yea, I was hoping to end up with a tillable texture from this. Ideally being able to slap it onto whatever I need so that I'm 90% of the way to a finished texture, rather than having to do this type of texture hand sculpting for each blade/object.

Sunray

I would also go for sculpting.