Maaragroth (LizardKing ) lowpoly texture problems

Chaosv49

Hey I'm new to texturing and unwrapping and now see a problem with my unwrap and texture for my low poly model which I forgot to attened to.

I have textured the back and front of the model but I forgot the sides (Yeah, I know, stupid right?) Is there any way I can select all the side parts. My unwrap is pretty confusing right now.

Junkie_XL

You definitely need better UV's. You should always perfect this first before texturing.

Using checker or a numbered grid as your texture while you unwrap is preferable because then you can see where your stretching is occuring and you won't have to pay the price for re-doing your texture later on.

I'm feeling generous. If you want to send me the max file I can unwrap it for you quickly. Then when I send it back you can see how it should be done so the sides don't stretch.

Chaosv49

Ah thanks dude. Ok hm, rapidshare.com is pretty slow... how can I send you it? email?

Junkie_XL

Use yousendit and then post the link here. Then maybe others want to have a crack at unwrapping your dude too. We could use the thread here to learn from each other. Maybe how I unwrap wouldn't be how someone else would do it, etc.

EDIT: btw I'm still on max 2008. I'm not on 2009. Maybe exporting as an .obj would be better so Maya and older max users could give it a shot... :-P

Chaosv49

Trying to figure out how to use yousendit..

EDIT : rapidshare works - way easier to use.
http://rapidshare.com/files/195609216/Maraagroth.max.html Please dont use it and say its yours (I dont think anyone will because its a a rubbish model anyway)

Chaosv49

Click free user

Junkie_XL

Sorry I stepped away for a bit...Did this in about 5-10 minutes. Here you go.

https://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUa3NhU1BqY3F4dnc9PQ

I exported as .obj so others could view if they wish. Import in with "texture coordinates" checked
I was pretty sloppy with packing but you can almost fit it into a 2x1 space if you move some of the shells around.

The best way to do this is to think of your model as a 3D piece of paper when cutting in your seams. Then research some tutorials on "pelt mapping".

Hope this helps somewhat?

Chaosv49

I imported the obj file. Its an editable mesh. Am I supposed to try and study the UV unwrap? Its collapsed down I think :P

Edit : Lol, never thot of going to uv unwrap. Nice Pelt map.

Junkie_XL

Convert to Editable Poly and add a UV Unwrap. Yeah I was thinking you could study that but maybe I just confused you more...

The purpose of unwrapping is to "flatten" everything down so when you paint on the surface nothing will stretch.

Chaosv49

Yeah, to make it more fluid like cloth ect. Thanks man. This is a model for a personal texture project I'm gonna be doing. I'll post stuff later.

Chaosv49

Its quite hard to recognise the diffrent parts. I'm sure i'll get it.

Junkie_XL

Yeah it can be confusing if you're not used to texturing that way. Baking in a lightmap as a layer you can use in photoshop might help you to determine where features are.

Follow this tutorial
http://www.bobotheseal.com/tuts_vertex_bake01.htm

It's a bit old. Instead of needing texporter you could just use "render to texture" in max and add a LightingMap element.