What is Adobe TextureMaker 1.0?

Adobe TextureMaker lets users create patterns and textures in a couple mouse clicks using various pre-made filters and effects (such as bumps, color gradient, spots, waves, etc...) provided by in the application.  Everything is customizable, such as the image dimensions, colors, lighting, effect processing order, etc... Processed textures can then be saved as PICT or TIFF image files, or even as an animation movie file.

Adobe purchased and repackaged PixelLoom 1.0 released in 1994 by Three |D| Graphics Inc.  PixelLoom 1.0b4 is included in the downloads for funsies.

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Take about 100 background textures, some lighting controls, a few painting effects, some Photoshop filters, and a handful of QuickTime-movie special effects; add them together; and you’ve got Adobe TextureMaker. This versatile program lets you add layer upon layer of effects to a basic texture to create custom artwork.

Let’s say, for example, that you want to create a 3-D Start button. You could begin with a rectangle with beveled edges, apply a marble pattern (or perhaps fish scales or zebra skin), import a PICT image of the word Starry emboss the letters, and adjust the lighting controls to enhance the 3-D effect. Each of these elements is in a separate layer, and each element has its own set of customization options.

The program’s gallery of textures includes marble, granite, metals, liquids, animal skins, wood, gemstones, fabrics, and other patterns. You can also import your own PICT image into a layer and incorporate it into a custom texture. TextureMaker offers several filters, including lighten, darken, blur, brushstrokes, and watercolor; you can add other Photoshop-compatible plug-in filters as well. Once you’ve combined a number of layers, you preview the results, then render the image as a TIFF file for printed output or a PICT image for onscreen display. You can even save a texture as a short QuickTime movie, using one of TextureMaker’s animated effects.

I was impressed with TextureMaker’s range of graphics effects. The program lets you make a simple two- or three-layer background, or stack up to ten layers for more complex effects. In one of my experiments, I imported a PICT file, applied a sepia-tone overlay and a watercolor effect, then rendered the image as a QuickTime movie with a spotlight sweeping back and forth across the image.

In general, TextureMaker’s effects are easy to apply and customize, although I would have appreciated more detail, and perhaps some tutorials, in the documentation. Although you could apply many of TextureMaker’s effects using Adobe Photoshop, Photoshop doesn’t offer the gallery of initial textures and the automated approach of TextureMaker — and Photoshop costs too much to use simply for creating custom textures. Of course, with a suggested retail price of $199, TextureMaker isn’t incredibly cheap itself.

The Last Word If you’re tired of seeing the same old digitized-marble backgrounds, Adobe TextureMaker gives you the tools to do something about it. For those who want to create attractive, original backgrounds for multimedia presentations or printed materials, this program offers a wealth of options.

Fenton, Erfert. (October 1995). Adobe TextureMaker 1.0. Macworld. (pg. 89).

Download Adobe TextureMaker 1.0 for Mac

Architecture

68K + PPC (FAT)

System Requirements

From Mac OS 7.0 up to Mac OS 9.2

Compatibility notes

Architecture: 68K + PPC (FAT)

At least 4.4MB of free RAM

Mac OS 7.x - Mac OS 9.2.2

 

Emulating this? It could probably run under: Basilisk II