Download PDF file for this tutorial here.

I found a neat little stand-alone program called Texture Discovery. It's pretty limited with what it can do, but it does make really nice 3D balls using your own graphic files. I will give some pointers for the program, then show you how to use the rendered graphic in PI to make a 3D round ball. These can then be decorated as Christmas ornaments, etc. or used to make 3D presets.

Download the program here. It's number 6 in the list..look for Texture Discovery v1.2.0.

Install the program, then open it and open PI.

You may also download the background image I used here. R/C and save to your hard drive.

With Texture Discovery open, use the dialog box in the left corner to browse to your saved background image in the bottom half of the box, then click on the image name in the top half and it will open in the main screen.

Now Click Texture, Texture Mapping Preview.

You should now see this:

Play with the tile setting to see variations in the pattern. I left the default settings for this image.

You can also place your mouse in the screen and drag it to change the perspective of the ball and pattern.

When you find a pattern you like and want to save, hit the Print Screen button on your keyboard.

In PI, go to Edit, Copy, Paste as new image.

The whole screenshot will open . To make it easier to see, use the Selection tool, rectangle shape and select the area inside the window.

R/C and convert to object. Now either drag this object to its own canvas or hit the Crop button on the Toolbar.

This will give you a larger view to work with. With the Selection tool, choose the ellipse shape and activate the Move Selection Marquee button and the Preserve Base Image button.

Draw an ellipse around the ball. Don't worry about it being perfect...we will cover that in the next steps.

Move the Marquee onto the ball, if necessary.

Now activate the Transform tool, Unlocked and hit the Action on Selection button.

Adjust the marquee to fit the 3D image.

Hit the Crop button:

You should now have an image of just the 3D ball.

Go to Adjust, Expand Canvas and use a setting of 30 or 40 pixels.

Using the Magic Wand, click in the white area of the image.

R/C, Invert; R/C again and choose Expand/Shrink. Use these settings:

R/C and convert to object. Drag the image to its own canvas and save as a .ufo file.

Below are some samples I have done. Notice I used wood textures, a weave texture and even a picture of leaves. Experiment with any image you have on hand.

I hope you have as much fun playing with this little program as I am!