In this chapter, we learned how to prepare our external objects to import them into Element 3D and apply surfaces. We learned all about texture maps and even how to use AEX layers as texture maps. Now, play around with the remaining objects! For your table, you may want to try using a seamless wood texture from the Web. Many free ones under the Creative Commons license are available on Flickr. See whether you can create a realistic wine bottle with what you've learned here and surface your salt shaker.

In the next chapter, we'll be setting up our scene in preparation for our animation. We'll overcome several of Element's limitations and capitalize on several of its strengths.