How would you UV this? (and general questions about UVing)

Duckmamoll

Hello,

I've started 3d modelling a few months ago, while I've improved UVing still remains one of the biggest mystery to me.
So I have a few basic questions
- Is it neccessary to use a software dedicated to uv unwrapping (such as headus Uvlayout) or is blender enough?
- Do I need to make as few uv islands as possible? if so how much stretching can I allow? or is it possible to have only a few (or even one) islands with no stretch?
- How would you unwrap this mesh? and is my unwrap for it correct?


 When unwrapping a mesh with a face inserted and extruded in it is it okay to make it a different island to not have stretching?


Thank you for reading

Taylor Brown

This will save you a lot of headaches as a new artist.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Rpcce7iIv3s7z8n3_UL1--08Htgb_m5umrfq2wg_XKY/mobilebasic#

Duckmamoll

Thank you it was a really interesting read,
But some of my questions remains
Is making many islands ok? for exemple on my last screenshot is making the UV 2 islands ok? or should I try to keep it as one
And is blender good enough for UVs unwrapping? the lack of a relax tool for exemple is extremly annoying

musashidan

Splitting islands is perfectly fine. As you get used to unwrapping you'll come to realise it's a tradeoff between more seams less distortion or vice versa.

I've unwrapped in all the main packages: Max, Modo, Maya, Blender 2.80,  Headus, and I'm currently using Rizom, and I'm sorry to say that Blender's UV workflow/features is the worst imo.

If you're just learning then stick with Blender to learn the basics. You might actually grow to like it. There are a few good addons to make life easier. Textools is a must. UVpackmaster. MagicUV.

There is a great addon called UV Highlight that sorts out the frustrating native workflow but it isn't ported to 2.80 and I've never used 2.79.

Ashervisalis

If you are going to keep those edges hard, you should cut the UVs along the hard edges and give them some space.

https://polycount.com/discussion/107196/youre-making-me-hard-making-sense-of-hard-edges-uvs-normal-maps-and-vertex-counts

cupsster

I'd second Rizom, it does one thing and it does it very well indeed!