Topic category: Mod design feedback
Hello!
I need advice on texturing.
I've been developing a mod that adds industrial, modern, and futuristic content to MC. Most of the time, I've playtested my mod in MCreator itself rather than on a real NeoForge installation. I've recently created a personal modpack to play with my mod to further test it (and to have fun of course).
It could be just a personal thing, but I've started to notice that I haven't been building with the blocks in my mod very much. I think it's because of the textures. When comparing my textures to those in other mods, the ones I've made feel... off, and I'm really not sure why at this point. I know how to hue-shift, I know to use only 5 to 9 colors, and I know how to do highlights and shadows. I've been creating resource packs and textures for almost 7 years now. That's why I'm struggling to figure out what I'm doing wrong.
If anyone can give me any advice, criticism, rules, or examples on how to improve my textures, it would help me out tremendously, and I'd greatly appreciate it.
Here is some of the content in my mod. If you need more, please let me know.
I think the metal textures are pretty good, but I just think your style is... off. It doesn't really fit Minecraft itself, and feels more like a texture pack. Some suggestions I have, though: Make the molten lava different! It seems too oldschool, like a Nintendo game instead of a Mojang game. Try using the default lava texture for reference. For the caged one, add in some anti-aliasing. Minecraft loves using anti-aliasing. The metal is really good, and so are the other textures. Really good over all! :D
With the greatest of respect, it was supposed to be Neon and not molten lava. Kind of tells me a lot right there though if it gives off the impression of being lava. Also thank you for the feedback!
You are very welcome! If it's neon, then, I don't really know how to make it look better! Even then, though, I don't think it really fits Minecraft, so I'd try redoing the neon textures so that they look more glow-y. Only make the cage one anti-aliased, though! That ones good enough as is!
Welp, I haven't retextured everything in my mod just yet, but here's what I've reworked so far for anyone curious:
Oops, I'm late! Sorry... ;-;
Okay, here's my critique on the work:
I love the subtle detail of the grates having caution tape under them, and I like the caution tape texture. However, I feel like the caution tape should be a bit higher contrast, since it seems kind of dull and depressing at the moment. The metal on the other blocks seem to look good, but I feel it could still use some work. Since the metal is a dull grey, not very polished, it should not have the sheen that appears all over the texture. Maybe, though, you could make shinier variants of the texture that appear brighter in color and more reflective? I also recommend adding a variant of the glass shown here that has some metal on the top and bottom or sides, like a slight transition. Overall, great textures, but I still think they feel duller than most blocks in Minecraft.
More optional critique that isn't as necessary, but still would probably be helpful:
The door on the right seems a bit bland, maybe try adding some grates to the bottom and a glass texture on the window? I also feel that the knob should feel a bit more 3d, since it kind of blends with the door at the moment.
Add some light blocks. The room is very dimly lit by the outside lights, so I recommend you add an industrial light alternative to Neon blocks that emits more light that the latter. Some metal torches would also work. :P
Oh, and I suggest adding some botany. I know it's worthless in this mod, but I still recommend adding a version of the floor block shown here with the center being filled with dirt, 9-sliced in the same was as the pillars. It would be able to support plants, which would make the room a lot cooler.