Custom Shader in Mari + other Mari resources

Got this from a polycound discussion thread when I asked about popular usage of Mari to paint texture on 3D objects. I've just started to use Mari, but its ability to convey different material and paint on a 3D object interests me a lot. It's like how I used to try and paint feelings of different materials in 2D by using Overlays of photo and paint strokes in Photoshop. Need to re-watch a few times on HD and learn it: Mari - Physically Based Shader for Real-Time Games
ROD's Mari pipeline in the game The Order.
Mari 2.0's promo tour video.

Mari 1.5 features Youtube playlist.

The Foundry Youtube channel.

Reading list whenever possible

Reading list for near future, preferably before end of Master's

• The State of Rendering 1
• The State of Rendering 2
• painted game texture 1
• painted game texture 2
• Machinarium
• Color theme helper
• randomized 3D design boot camp game
• normal map making tool
• Cao Cao

stuff

more stuff

Final shoot model

unit 1 painted texture

The bad seams scared me a while, then I realized UDK wasn't using the right mesh file. Put in the painted texture and mostly look okay. Still quite a few seams visible again, not sure why. Maybe a simplified painting will help reduce the visibility of seams? Also really need to redo the gills in the normal map - some are too visible, and some are barely visible. And this is ALL I've been doing everyday for the past month... figuring out how to do things, watching tutorials, and trying to do the things while wondering why things aren't working. It, again, makes me look like I'm not doing anything, when all I do other than work is shower and sleep, and occasionally buying instant food or laundry. Either I have ZERO time management skill, or I'm actually what Uncle says I am - a retard. I really would like to prove that man wrong.