I've never used Textools normalize function, but the bottom left button in the "arrange elements" panel does the same. It's not flawless either, there's occasionally a part or two that vanishes (it's fairly rare, though).
Software? In Max, edge sub-object mode has a button "create shape from selection", choose linear. Then click on the shape, and in the Rendering rollout click Enable In Viewport and set it to Rectangular.
Bitmap, you are clicking on the "Graphire 4x5" button, right? Dunno if it works with graphire or not, but I know I took some time to figure that out. (I am a bit of an idiot though).
Yup, seems like hittting the 'preserve UVs' launcher button can mess up small UV areas in certain cases. A mate at work is running into that one problem right at the moment!
Probably you are using the flat color material, or you are in the flat render mode. Change material from the material icon on the left, and/or go to the menu bar, "render", and activate the "preview" button.
Great work! The Style is very cool. I love the feel of the skin but what is going on with his belly, no muscles, its just flat skin! Atleast give him a belly button!
Well... to be honest that method falls apart pretty quick on complex geometry. Quadrify works a lot better. Its not prefect but its easier and works in edit poly. One button too.
? not sure what you mean here I broke down and got it the other day, really enjoying it. feels and plays great. not sure about the button lag you're talking about?
It'll always display UVs for channel 1 unless you hit the edit button, and in the Edit UVs dialog box, choose File > Reset UVs, to show any other channel.