like alot of people starting out as newbies in 3dsmax, there's a lot going on in the application. Its a complete workshop with all the tools you need for CG and many of those tools can be 'clicked and applied'; like colour and materials.
But as time goes on, if you're like me you'll want to start finding better ways of improving models, two ways of doing this;
1. modelling
2. texturing
and of course
3. lighting
4. rendering
but after you've made a couple of dozen models or so and been exposed to the various facets of 3DS max; modifiers, textures maps, there comes a point where you run into a 'no man land'.
If you look at CGsociety and the great works of art modelled and rendered, you'll realise apart from their great models and fantastic lighting. The genius comes into play when you start controlling, manipulating and creating your own texture maps.
Procedures shaders/maps/textures are great solutions for car paint, metallic and glass surfaces. But I was recently reminded about an article written by a CGartist who points out that all objects in reality are exposed to -:
'wear and tear over time' the image of the Lanrover 'back to 1980' in the feature gallery is a fantastic example of this rule. If you had to model a modern bedroom, everything would be nice and clean?
But what if you had to model an old attic or or scene for a game or movie where its a waste disposal tip or derelict site? New textures or procedures are not going to help?
I've got dozen of texure maps of masonery work but we've all seen buildings with black pollution on them, water marks, decrepid and deteriorating stones in old buildings and graveyards? What if it was a pirate ship or an old U-boat at the bottom of the sea?
You get my point? Wear and tear, thats why knowing how to create or modify textures in a paint package, using blend shaders to create layerd materials and being able to USE UVWrap modifiers is an essential part of you great success in modelling and hopefully mine.
There are great video tutorials FREE just to help you up onto the next level to start jossling and being able to stand next to some of the greats.
So should I use blend layer, or create a painted texture layer?