8-bit vs. 16-bit

Introduction to Maya - Modeling Fundamentals Vol 1

This course will look at the fundamentals of modeling in Maya with an emphasis on creating good topology. We'll look at what makes a good model in Maya and why objects are modeled in the way they are.

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# 1 09-02-2008 , 12:47 PM

Jr.Who

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Hey guys,

I'm about to start texturing the pirate ship and I was messing around with PS's settings. Does anyone know what the difference is between 8-bit and 16-bit images (besides the size difference)? What are the pros and cons of each?

-Jr.Who
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# 2 09-02-2008 , 01:03 PM

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16 bit images can hold more colours per channel than 8 bit (think its 256 levels compared to 64K levels on 16 bit), that gives them better quality when displaying lots of subtle colours in the range, but they take up more space on the HDD.

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# 3 09-02-2008 , 02:10 PM

Jr.Who

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So, which would you prefer?

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# 4 09-02-2008 , 02:12 PM

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I personally always choose 16 bit.

- Mike

https://rhetoriccamel.blogspot.com

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# 5 09-02-2008 , 05:12 PM

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16 bit, but if your struggling for RAM at render time and can get away with it use 8.

"No pressure, no diamonds" Thomas Carlyle

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# 6 09-02-2008 , 05:29 PM

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if you cant sacrifice 16 bit / 2d bit e.g. displacements etc then you can convert your massive textures to block ordered textures. Google it user added image

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# 7 10-02-2008 , 10:38 AM

Jr.Who

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OK, I'll be going with 16-bit. Only problem is that it takes forever to save the file. I'll be doing some comparison pics later, if I remember. user added image

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# 8 10-02-2008 , 11:32 AM

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How big you making the maps for it to take ages?

"No pressure, no diamonds" Thomas Carlyle

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# 9 10-02-2008 , 11:37 AM

Jr.Who

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Originally posted by gster123
How big you making the maps for it to take ages?

Originally Posted by

I figured I'd try 4096 x 4096 to see the difference on the dimensions too.

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# 10 10-02-2008 , 11:46 AM

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You just can add more detial to it.

I pretty much dont go over 2k for a map (although I would use multiple maps head, body etc)

If your going so high with the maps you might run into memory probs at render time (or just waiting ages!)

"No pressure, no diamonds" Thomas Carlyle

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# 11 10-02-2008 , 01:15 PM

Jr.Who

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OK, switching back to 8-bits! Got sick of waiting over 30 seconds to save.

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# 12 10-02-2008 , 02:21 PM

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To save the image! Wow, think it takes about 5 seconds to save on mine, you not trying to save on some funkey settings, whats the file size?

"No pressure, no diamonds" Thomas Carlyle

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# 13 10-02-2008 , 02:28 PM

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Originally posted by gster123
To save the image! Wow, think it takes about 5 seconds to save on mine, you not trying to save on some funkey settings, whats the file size?

Originally Posted by

The PSD was around 130 MB. Remember that my computer's old. user added image

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# 14 10-02-2008 , 02:43 PM

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hehe! No probs.

Tbh I would suggest that you try to get as much out of what youve got before going onto other stuff.

Just more of a pain for data handeling and manipulation, start off small and work up, theres no advantage jumping the gun, basics are the way forward!

"No pressure, no diamonds" Thomas Carlyle

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