3DS Max - UV Template which is the same size as the model?

RashedAlmetrami

Hey Polycount community,

I was wondering if you knew a method to create a UV template which automatically sets it's size so the UV islands are the same size as the model itself. So if the total width of a model was 30cm; the corresponding UV island on the template would also be 30cm. 

Thanks!

Revel

UV size count with pixel unit, mesh size in meter (or centimeter, etc) so there's no way you can count centimeter in UV space as it's all also depends on your texture size (which is in pixel as well). The relation between the two (UV and mesh) normally counted with pixel/meter, so you can set whether you want 512px/meter or 1024px/meter, etc.

poopipe

The term you are looking for is texel density. 

There are quite a few tools that will set it for you.

Textools for max has something I think,  nightshade for maya (or 2017 with the uv tools)

Or you can make your own.

None of the tools are perfect - if you have distorted UVs,  you'll get an average and they often don't handle rectangular textures properly. 

RashedAlmetrami

Thanks for the response guys! My client has asked for a UV template which fits the model perfectly. So if he printed the UV template I supplied it would wrap around the 3D Printed model.

Is there something that will do this automatically or shall I just measure and scale the printed UV template accordingly?

Revel

Wait..what? print the UV? 

RashedAlmetrami

We have an artist who creates the texture for the model. The model itself is actually 3D printed and so is the texture. The texture is then printed onto the model in real life so we need to make sure the texture is absolutely the correct size when it's printed. Any ideas?

Eric Chadwick

pepakura

RashedAlmetrami

The model isn't paper. It's a custom design for Harley motorbikes so they're printed onto metal. Will Pepakura still work? 

poopipe

It's probably a good start. You're going to have to strike a very careful balance between distortion and splits.

I assume it'll end up on vinyl if it's going on a bike so you'll have some leeway with distortion but I'd be on the phone to an expert (in putting stickers on vehicles) before making any decisions on how to lay my map out

RashedAlmetrami

Agreed. gonna contact somebody soon. Thanks for the help!