Couple of workflow questions

VPrime

Hey there, I got a couple questions.
I am creating models for an iPhone game so I have limited my self to 256x256 textures.
So my first question is whether it is a good idea or not to create a higher resolution (eg. 1024x1024) photoshop file and scale it down later.
Or should I just start right off with 256?

Secondly, is more of a software recommendation question.
I am currently doing all my work on OSX. I do my 3d modeling in a virtual machine with 3D Studio max.

I have photoshop CS4 on the mac side for skinning. currently my workflow really sucks. I am making a texture, saving, dragging into the VM loading up max and refreshing the texture to view my changes.
I am wondering if any one knows of a decent model viewer for mac that I can load up my model and just do work in photoshop and see it on the viewer?
I know Photoshop Cs4 has one built in, but I am not a fan of it at all.

Thanks.

VPrime

Ah figured out an idea for my second question... I will just use my game engine (Unity 3D) to view the models. I don't know why I didn't think of that before

SanderDL

I would as you said start with a higher resolution then 256 and then scale it down. It just works alot easier that way. You might have to sharpen the texture up a bit afterward though.

Steve Schulze

I'd suggest you work at 256*256. You're only wasting time on detail that'll be smushed into nothing when you res it down. You'll be able to get a much cleaner, sharper result, something thats extremely important on hand-held consoles, if you work that way too.

Celes

1024 is way too big of resolution to be scaled down to 256 later. If you feel more comfortable working in a bigger resolution then scale down, don't go bigger than 512.