Looks like an alpha texture for transparency and a cube map for the colour. You'd paint the transparency image and the skybox-style cube map and then use a shader to combine them on the sword's blade mesh.
I modelled her sword and create a fast rig using Advanced Skeleton. I modeled a background for her. Paint the models using Substance Painter Finally render with Marmoset Toolbag
They are not very high poly, the newest sword I did is only 630 tris :o I'd say most weapons are in the 800-2000 tri range, depending on scale/level of detail
No there is no such rule. Historically the most decorated Katanas were either family heirlooms that were never used in battle or ceremonial swords. The Katanas used in battle had only their Tsuba decorated and that not always.
Post your textures, as jpegs. Render out the sword at a horizontal angle to better display your piece. Looks solid over all, welcome to the magical world of PBR and 3D Art
Suggestions: Nails for wood, less gashes like somebody took a sword and some scaffolding to it, if you could make light beams refracting off the rain like a haze that would be good
Really great work. Small crit: the dual swords on your front/back concept need to be switched to an opposite side. Doesn't really matter as it looks awesome, but the devil is in the details as they say.
Love the head, I would say the sword is lacking, maybe if you gave it the same treatment as the head, a lot of asian cultures have fur on the hilt or blade guard part of the weapon.
Hang up your sword, stop your crusade. You're fighting for nothing, and making yourself look like an idiot. *ahem* Yeah, so what about the pirates and ninjas everyone?
I'm not done with him yet.. just couldnt help posting it. Shaun skin with wooden sword reskinned as a bloody cricket bat. Killing zombies is so much more fun now!