RTS Vehicle UV Mapping

loneraver

Hey guys, I'm working on a low poly RTS type vehicle (Gun and turret not shown) i don't have a lot of experience UV mapping vehicles so I was hoping to get some feedback on my UV Layout. The model is going to have a specular map so i tried to keep large sections together.

Any feedback would be extremely helpful!
Thanks




The UV's are still a work in progress (I know there are a lot of sections with small gaps that still need to be stitched). I'm really curious to know what you guys think about the over all layout .

loneraver

This might help.

dpadam450

Looks fine to me, Would help if you color coded certain parts to see where stuff maps. But if it unwraps and is not distorted (apply a checkerboard), then you are fine.

Xoliul

What texture size will this be? I wouldn't go any larger than 512 for RTS.
If this will be a 512, then you need to map a lot more efficient. You can mirror about 50% of the stuff you have on there. There's no reason to unwrap each side uniquely, even if you would add unique text to it, it just isn't worth this kind of unwrap. Just make sure the markings can be mirrored then (like "808" or a star or something).
Bottom of the thing definitely does not need it, and I would even go as far as scaling that down a lot in the uv's, since you will barely ever see it.

loneraver

I was wondering about that. My concern was the scecular map looking wrong if things got mirrored. But i can definitely see it for the fender areas and the bottom of the vehicle.

Brendan

For symmetrical unwraps, sometimes I add little islands of one side, so every now and then it's a little different left-to-right. You can still make the most of the UV space for the 90% that is the same on both sides, but by breaking it up a bit and wonkifying it a touch it helps it look more believable.

It doesn't always work with all applications, and it does kinda mess up normals sometimes, just a thought.

loneraver

Yea I was thinking about adding small peaces of geometry to break up some of the plates and also using the empty sections of the UV map

Clark Coots

pretty sure most of the stuff in SC2 is symmetrical UVs

loneraver

....Working out the panels/detail for the diffuse map.

mystichobo

Looks ok

How does it look from a top down view though? seeing as that would be where you would see it ingame.

Could probably cut quite a few tri's off the wheels if they aren't very visible.

loneraver

from a game angle it will probably look like this.

To do list:
- Rework the rear wheel fender plates and door plates
- Still need plates for the turrets, bumpers, hubcabs & hood

loneraver

This is the look i'm going for...

loneraver

...still chipping away on the diffuse map

loneraver

Finally finished it!

Lazerus Reborn

Very nice mate, nice work on the texture.

loneraver

Thanks, glad you like it!