the modeling and texturing process

Dastan

How do you build complex models? If you want to make a big mansion, or maybe a building or an airplane, car, or whatever..

Will you create the texture sheets before start the modeling process? You do some research, get reference images, make a few sketches and start modeling it.. or.. you know exactly what textures will you use for each part of the model before getting your hands dirty?

Piflik

Get tons of reference and start with a simple blockout to get the proportions right. Then start modeling, one piece at a time...after you're done modeling, unwrap and then paint the textures...at least if you want to used a uniquely unwrapped texture (like a character, prop or vehicle).

A mansion you would most likely either texture using tilable textures or like this and you'd need the textures before starting to model, or at least before you start unwrapping.

Dastan

ok, I m doing fine in the modeling department. I gather the texture, make the block-out to get the proportion and idea of the general concept, but I'm a little lost in the texturing/rendering department.

I know photoshop well, and how to bake maps in Maya and mudbox, but it is more like I am so new to the process of actually texturing that I get lost in the process, the steps, and planning of textures and maps.. etc..

bbob

Start simple and small to get the process down, then go increasingly bigger and more complex..