How would you texture a building like this?

bitinn · May 2020

With a building like this, assuming each color represent its own material, it would seem the most appropriate solution is to texture them using uv island stacking and tiling textures?

Even with rather low Texel Density (64px / m), the full building unwraps to around 8~9 UV coordinates; I don't see any other solutions, unless I go with a very minimal art style.

Thoughts?

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/mf/n3asnzpvwpys.png

Filip5 · May 2020

Are you planning on using this in game engine ? Or a render ?

One way would be to use UDIM textures. you basically layout your model into more separate UV islands. Some info here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=97cgbOCfk9A

Another way around would be to just unwrap your model and asign seamless textures to it. This is more efficient way. The way seamless textures work they just look sharp even on huge objects. You can furthermore edit rotation or scale in you render engine.

Eric Chadwick · May 2020

Modularity is the way to go. Tiling textures, and a different material per surface type. Use a trim sheet + material for the foundation and moldings and strips that make up all the window frames. If you want localized non-repeating detail, use blending and/or decals.

bitinn · May 2020

@Filip5 think I will go with UDIM for now, not because I don't care about performance, but because it's an art style reference; UDIM make things easier between Blender and Substance Painter (I don't have to stack all my UV in 01 space).

@Eric Chadwick yeah actually this piece is constructed as a quick reference for modular pieces, hence it looks ripe for modularity, haha.

I am wondering if nowadays artists have alternative solutions when they are not going full modular.

For example, Animal Crossing, since their buildings are explicitly non modular, I wonder if they just create them like a prop. (I guess their use of low frequency textures is not just an art style, but also to hide that limited Texel Density).

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/d4/0dlx6snqvnwx.jpg

Eric Chadwick · May 2020

I see a ton of repetition there, very modular.

It's not smart to use UDIMs for game environments, too much memory use and slow to download the game and slow to load the level. If you want to render only, not make it realtime, then do whatever you want.

Eric Chadwick · May 2020

Also modular workflow does not mean you have to confine UVs to 0-1 space. Tile like crazy, so UVs are all over the place. Then you make a 2nd UV set that's all in 0-1, only for lightmap/shadowmap/AO baking.

Obscura · May 2020

People tends to confuse tiling textures with modular modeling. You can slap tiling textures on a uniquely modeled mesh.The uvs can be stacked and go out of 0-1 space.

But as Eric said, there is a good amount of moularity possible on your reference and end result too.

Eric Chadwick · May 2020

Anything with repeating elements, or elements that can snap together, is modular in my mind.

The windows for example, I would delete all but one window, UV it and copy it around. Or the wings on either side of the front door, do one and mirror it.

How would you texture a building like this?

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