Why do you use PNGs instead of JPEG or TARGAS?

Simply put, PNG is a better format.

JPGs use lossy compression, which makes them small but they will lose image quality and artifact no matter HOW high the quality is set. It's the nature of the beast.

Other file formats offer higher quality, but no compresson. PNGs, on the other hand, offer LOSSLESS, ZERO ARTIFACT compression. True, they aren't as small as JPGs, but the quality is every bit as good as an uncompressed file format.
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What in the heck is a normal map?

A normal map is actually a more modern version of the popular bump map. Normal mapping creates the illusion of actual depth, while the older bump map standard is really very flat in comparison. A normal map not only affects how the light falls on a model, but also creates a faux displacement effect on the model itself.
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Why don't you have bump maps?

We have normal maps, which are better than bump maps. Seriously. check out this article on Wikipedia.
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But I *need* bump maps!

We have a tutorial that will explain how to convert normal maps back into bump maps. The tutorial uses principles that you can use in almost any software, but you do need some experience editing images in order to do so. We hope to have a free utility in the future that will do this for you.
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What is your licensing agreement?

You are entitled to a royalty free license to publicly use these files for display purposes. This may include but is not limited to such commercial mediums as film, television, and print.

Our textures can be used in video games as long as the buyer of your game does not have easy access to the individual textures. There are many different free encryption applications and plug-ins, surely you can find one that works with your program.

You are prohibited from including these textures with any other sort of software, including but not limited to modeling applications, level design programs, or other texture packages.

You are entitled to make ONE backup copy of our software.

Please DO NOT copy our software or put it up for download on torrents, newsgroups, web sites etc. We are a VERY small company, and each sale that we lose hurts us.

If your torrent system hosts any torrents related to this software, you agree to pay TextureShock a fair amount based on the number of attempted downloads not to exceed the full price of the product.
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Can I get a bulk discount?

Well, I guess that depends on what kind of bulk you're thinking of here. Let's just say that if you're planning on buying more than five copies, drop us a line and we'll see what we can come up with.
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Why do the textures get seams when I resize them?

Most editing programs use filters that do not take seamless textures into account, and so you will often wind up with seams when resizing them. Most of these programs simply don't assume that you want the filters to wrap around to the other side of the picture, so they don't. To be fair however, it would certainly be an undesired effect if you were editing a photograph.

To this end, we have created a very nice tutorial. It should be general enough that if you have even a little experience with a paint program then you should be able to make it work.

We hope to offer a free utility to do this automatically in the future. Until then, the tutorial is pretty darned good ;)
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How do you use my personal information?

We use your personal information to contact you when new software becomes available, we're running special deals, or older software you've purchased has been updated. We do not share it with anyone, we do not sell it, and we do not send out email very often.
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Can I sell these with my software?

That depends. We allow these textures to be included in games, film, presentations etc. We do NOT allow them to be distributed with or in other texture packs, with any sort of models,. modeling or editing software, etc.

Basically, games, film, visual presentations. Any other distribution is a no-no.
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Why can't I install my textures?

Do you meet the minimum system requirements? If you aren't running Windows XP or better, and you don't have a windows machine, then you will not be able to use the self-extracting files.

Even if you have some sort of utility to emulate Windows, such as boot camp, you may not be able to use the installer.

Do you have enough space? These are not small image files.

Are you running any anti-virus or firewall software? Some such software, ESPECIALLY SYMANTEC / NORTON ANTI VIRUS, is extremely intrusive and probably gives you more problems than you would expect. Try temporarily disabling such software and trying to install the textures again.

Otherwise, contact us and we'll gladly lend you our assistance.
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Am I allowed to edit these?

Yes. We sort of expect that. You are not, however, allowed to sell any textures that you create using ours as base materials. Include them in your games, use them in presentation work, or use them in your film work, but do not try to mix them together and claim the work as your own.
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What are the minimum system requirements?

Some sort of WINDOWS machine running WINDOWS XP or better with plenty of space on the hard disk drive. Since we currently only offer our packs as downloads, we also suggest a good internet connection.
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