Quote - Tools that let one paint or apply photos directly on the model are becoming increasingly common and affordable now. I've even seen a freeware version of something called Blacksmith3D-Paint advertised which can apparently do that.

so you've tried those? because i've tried doing something similar with Blender and let me tell you, it was not even vaguely possible for me to just go in there and start painting.  i'm sure if i took a year or two to master one of those programs i could do it, but that seems not worth it for me, to be honest.  i'd rather spend a year or two learning to model things that are built to texture easily.

when you say "major" distortion, again, i think you should look at V3.  she's what texture artists found easiest to work with.  V4's been out for  years now, and most of the commercial textures for her are the same thing over and over because they're mostly from a few merchant resources and people reusing their own work over and over  to deal with her seams.

3d painting programs are of variable quality and features and are by no means a silver bullet.  basically telling artists to buy and learn new software to be able to make stuff for your figure will probably hinder 3rd party production.  but i realize that's not really important.  you have what you want in her with procedurals, and she's primarily for you.

this is usually what happens with models.   modlers don't  tend to texture, or if they do, they're only doing it to finish off their model.  and you seem to be doing this more for yourself than anyone else.  i guess what i mean to say is that i really think you should make her for yourself first, so definitely err on the side of difficult mapping that you think is cool.  i'm just selfishly  disappointed that she won't be (imho) very user friendly.