Just looking thru the MP and noticed character sets that are for Aiko and V3 and are seperate purchases, yet I have a few that are all in one. I have also used many of the V3 sets I have on Aiko and vice versa and haven't noticed a difference. Would anyone knowledgable on this shed some light? Is it just a merchant trying to get the most money they can or are there significant differences between the 2? thanks, Michael

There are slight differences between the two but nothing immensely obvious. The major differnece is in the grouping - V3 MATs don't work properly on A3, due to the differences in grouping.

Thanks for the reply. I am aware of the MAT issues, but that is easy to over come. Unless there is a major diff and not just out of having a properly working MAT, I can't see a reason for seperate packages unless it is just about the extra money.

Well, I suppose the point is that some sets contain morphs for either A3 or V3, but MATs that can apply to both, while other sets contain both morphs and MATs for both characters. In the latter case, since not everyone uses both A3 and V3, it seems perfectly reasonable for vendors to sell them separately, as well as bundled together.

Excellent point on the latter, guess I am just seeing to much inconsistency in what is offered in sets, compatability and pricing structure since I have purchased many that include both for the same price as seperate ones. Thanks for the input Michael

The only difference I know of are that when using V3 textures on Aiko, you have to apply the texture to Aiko's legs by hand (which is no big deal).

Someone has a MAT file here in the free stuff that's "universal" so it works properly for V3 and A3 and any Gen 3 figure I believe. You have to modify it of course with your specific maps either in a text editor or Mat Pose Edit.

There are slight differences in the uv's. The nipples and so on, on the body. The lips, brows and around the eyes on the head. There are more but you need to look closely.

I use UTC(Universal Texture Converter). I have all the plugs but the Mil baby which I have no use for and the Steph and Mike plug that they want way to much for. But if you buy the combined pack, it's only a few Bucks more than the Steph mike plug. Worth it for those that don't have UTC. A total loss of sales with those that already have most of the plugs. ( small rant.) LOL.

So to answer your Main Question. YES, there is a difference. Unfortunatly, the A3/V3 combos are the V3 texture with Mats for A3. Edit to say, Most of the A3/V3 combos, not every one.

Message edited on: 03/20/2006 04:18

This is a closeup of the A3 and V3 head mesh UV mapping, overlaid. One red and one green, and I can'r remember which. Where lines overlap you get black, and most of the lips are pretty good, but there's that band of red under the lower lip. But if you look at the triangles as a reference, you can see some relatively large differences around the lower jaw. Since there are programs which let you save the mesh and UV data seperately, I'm not sure why there should be these differences. Use UV mapper, and you can save a V3 UVS file and apply it to A3, or vice versa. Still, these differences are small, often equivalent to sub-millimetre shifts.

The lips, for me, is the biggest reason to have 2 seperate textures. If you use a V3 texture on A3 the lips are often outside the actual lip boundary, and the corners leak out too far onto the skin. If you're never gonna do portraits, it's not really an issue, you'll simply have to apply the body texture to A3's added material zones.

I think A3's nose is mapped slightly smaller than V3's, too. I tried putting 3Dream's Kimshara texture on A3 and noticed some of the shadow (painted on the texture) spilling over slightly onto her cheeks.

I suppose you could use UVmapper Classic (still free) to transfer a UVS file one figure to another, which would fix these problems with detail. I think I have a V3 with A3 materials I created that way, but it made things awkward for using Wardrobe Wizard. It's probably in a backup somewhere. (There can be advantages in the A3-style materials zones, if you use a touch of displacement to make socks, or shorts, rather than the Spandex morph.)