Alchemist & Designer

For the Alchemist assignment, we learned how to use alchemist and what each map represented. We were to create a texture using the program, using a photo we had taken for the class. Mine was of dirt with wood chips on it. In Alchemist, I went in and added height to the otherwise flat plane, and then added other details like snow.
The biggest problem I ran into was the height map not working. However, I know it worked as another student had run into the same problem. Aside from this issue, the assignment went smoothly.

For the Designer assignment, we learned how to use designer and created some basic textures for it. I was only able to do 2 of the assigned textures due to sickness and computer problems. However, I still learned more about Designer and was able to produce 2 textures that I am proud of. These two textures are rusty metal and bricks, and each used various settings and tools within the program.
I ran into several problems, including the heights being reversed, the roughness being off, and generally the program not working with me. Due to these problems, as well as illness, I was thrown off enough that I was unable to finish this project entirely.

Metal Tutorial 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NzKtubDsC9o&feature=emb_title
Metal Tutorial 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mGGL1lQ1Djs

Metal Tutorial 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIAQQSCUy9o

Brick Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ji45Nmc93Nk

Both Alchemist and Designer utilize the same types of maps to create textures and depth on objects. Both are texturing softwares, however they serve different purposes. I observed that Designer more focuses on texturing objects or buildings, while Alchemist focuses more on environments and such. Designer is more detail/closeup focused, while Alchemist is more widespread and larger scale, and adds ambiance and feel to a scene.

Overall, both programs were relatively easy to work with once I got past the learning curve. Both are relatively straight forward and can be picked up quite easily.