Now, that I have a bit of understanding the little basics of Poser, I feel it is best I move up to level 2. :-) A friend gave me a 3DS file of a Mech, that I can import into poser. The Mech is static, which means only Scalable. All I wanted to do is understand how to make files. Is it possible to make an Obj file in Poser or do I have to purchase a 3D rendering program like 3D studio Max or wings2...etc. Also, texture files for each Prop, character. Do I neeed to purchase anything else for this?

All I did is texture each part. All I want to do now is learn how to make textures files for mechs in Poser.

1.)
First Pic on the Vulture scaled with a Character. Nothing textured, not even the character.

2.) Two hours later for every Part of the Mech, this is the outcome. I need to make a texture map file, if I only new how. So I can do this in less time.

Attached Link: http://www.sams3d.com/Tutorial.htm

My 2 tutorials should help you understand what I think you want to do....Sharen

Those Tutorials are very nice. :-) Their is info, that the UVmapper needs a "Obj" file to make texture files. All I have is the 3DS file in Poser. So, I guess I need a 3D Studio Max Program to make these Obj files.

You can export as an obj.....No need to buy Studio Max.

Finally I can make an Obj File. :-) Thanks

Poser can import many formats and export as many formats. If I were to want to poserize this figure this is the general process and programs I'd use Import 3ds into poser. Export as OBJ. Open in Uvmapper pro. Map model (see uvmapper.com for free version, buy Pro version and tutorials) Set up model groups that correspond to the parts of the model to use in boning the figure. Save my edited obj. (IMPORTANT) Save my template for later Import newly mapped OBJ into POser5 or Poser4+ProPack. Use the Setup room to bone the figure. (see manual, various tutorials, or book: Secrets of Poser5 FIgure Creation) Once the figure has been set up by poser 5, save into your Character Library pallete. Close poser. Move the OBJ poser5 has created into a folder in the Geometries Library and hand edited the geometry reference in the CR@ to point to the Geometry folder (or future users will curse you ..including you) Now you have a poserized naked mecha. Open your graphics program (photoshop, PSP, whatever) Open your template file. Paint inside the lines, don't move anything on the template. Save your working file as a PSD (layered file) work in layers for ease of editing. Save the final image as a TIF or jpg. Apply to model in poser. Obviously it gets more complicated than that, but thats the general gist of it :) You can map and texture a model without boning it, or bone it later, if you just need a static model. Good luck!

Wow...UVMapping is a pain. I have 75 Parts in the 3DS file and I am trying to divide the whole mech into parts for mapping (jpg).

I will eventually get it, while I am going through the tutorials.

UVMapping is a pain, but you can apply very specific detail to very exact places. This is useful if you want to replicate, say, one of the space shuttles where each has a different tile pattern, and the decals have to be placed right on, or perhaps a tunic with celtic knot border that needs to meet exactly at the seams. Your other way of texturing is to apply shaders. This works only in Poser 5. I think you still need to "group" items so that Poser has a list of body parts, but you can get some really nice overall textures and displacement maps instead of bump maps to get grittiness or scars and pitmarks if your mech is a bit battle-worn. Carolly

I do not know what I am doing wrong. I have done the tutorial, and it was not difficult. Now, with the Mech (Vulture). I load up the UVmapper, then load up the "Vulture.obj" file. Then, New UVmap, Box. I then have a window, giving me an option..."1024 (Map Size), Checked..Split Front/Back, and Gaps in Map." If I do not do this, I have a black screen. So I end up making a UVmap. This is the Result.

Then I divid each parts that I want. Then moving others to the side, out of way. By selecting by Material, then the parts. Then UVmap, Box, and checked only Gaps in Map. I save the texture map. And then this is the result. I did some coloring to see how it would look.

Now, lastly. I look up the 3DS file, or Obj file. And then I apply the texture to the location. This is the result.

Is it possible to rename all the Parts in Poser. Thier is 75 parts in this mech and I thought if I can bring it down to about 20. Feet, joint, Missle Doors, gun barrels and so on. Right now I am concerned about rendering and all I want is to is texture the Missle doors, instead of Mat1- Mat20, which is the missle doors. So, if I can do one, I can do em all in one texture, by UVmapping. This is what I get for one missle door, "Mat1". I am about to give up. Anyone around? Damm..we need a forum, where some of the posts can stay ontop, instead of going page to page.

YOu can rename the parts in UV Mapper as well. There should be a "Select by Material" command ... it will pop up with a list of all of the materials in your object. Select all of the materials that you want to combine, and then choose the Assign To Material command. (I no longer have the free version of UV Mapper on my computer so I can't give you the exact command name at this point.) However, after you change your material names or your group names, don't forget to save the model.

well if this board doens't give you a happy try these instead: www.rendervisions.com www.uvmapper.com www.3dhaven.com Renaming materials (parts) technically possible in poser via the grouping tool, but its annoying. If you want to just use poser shaders (materials) and no maps then this is the easiest solution: open your model in uvmapper. remap or not, it doesn't matter. Select by material, assign each to your new material name 'Metal', 'guns' 'windows' whatever. when you are done reassigning, SAVE the object. Import the NEW object into poser, and your list o material zones should shrink. Note: to see the changes in uvmapper you will need to reopen the object to make sure the old (now unused) zones are gone. and now you know the real reason not many people uvmap mechas :P

Actually the UVmapper forum is a nice place to put up my stressfull issues. Thanks. :-)