I created this to use as my avatar! I started by recording video of the top, side and bottom of a 1x1 block. I took snapshots of the video to get some images with the textures I needed. In photoshop I did some very simple cutting up of the images and laid them out on a 1024x1024 that I divided into 4 sections real quick. Then I went ahead and created the 3d model and animated it! I rendered out the 147 frame animation to 147 individual png's. Used a quick batch photoshop action to merge all the images into one psd with 1 image per layer. Finally I opened up the animation panel in photoshop, selected all the layers and in the animation panel I used "make frames from layers". Save for web and I was done! and of course I watermarked everything important for self preservation ^_^
Very well done. Also a great way to flex your 3d modeling skills, modeling an already exsisting object (even if it is virtual ) Did you make a bump map as well? Just an other little something to add to it.
I did make a bump map. I used the colorcorrection map and desaturated the main map as well I tweaked the contrast to get a deeper range of b&w for more definition. I also used a similar technique to create a fresnel reflection map If I wanted to add even more realism to the texture I would go in and create a reflective glossyness map to create a more "fuzzy" or scattered reflection for some surfaces
Can't really tell, at least with the sizes you showed. I guess subtle is better with that block. I did see the reflection map usage though. That'd be a lot of work compared to a sphere and block