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Part 2

This one tutorial made UV mapping in Wings 3D VERY clear to me ;). And he's a member of Rendo so that makes it even better. Best of all, he's uv mapping a clothing item :D

This is an older version of Wings but it still holds true other than a few minor differences that don't matter for uv mapping.

Laurie

EClark: 

To generate a UV Test Grid, Create a new image and at the bottom there is a box labeled 'generated type' which will give you the option of blank (default) UV Grid or Colour Grid.

I did that. It didn't work.

Quote - There's also a UVMapper program that's free you can use to map texture maps from .OBJ files.  Get the Pro version (it's free, too) because you can make colored maps that, for me, make it easier to tell the zones apart.

The Pro version is only for Windows but the Classic version is also available for MAC.

Does it let you export?  I downloaded the pro version from that page, but it indicates that it must be registered to export.  :(

It lets you save the template or texture map while unregistered. I don't think it lets you save the remapping changes without registering.

Under file is "Save Template" or keyboard shortcut Ctrl+T  You can make different templates for an object if they overlap (like for a character).  Use the select tab to select the groups you want on your template then use Select Inverse to select everything you don't want and hit your delete key.  It won't change your obj file, just allow you to create the template for those parts.

I just woke up so I'm not sure how lucid that explanation is.  Let me know if you need step-by-step.  Does anyone know if Steve Cox frequents the message boards here (and what his user name is)? 

Steve Cox is a REALLY hard man to get hold of. LOL. I've seen him perhaps a total of twice in 5 years. He doesn't really answer emails either.

Laurie

You could try posting in the UV Mapper forum. Maybe you can reach him there.

Been there, done that. More than once. LOL

Laurie

Ya dont want the seam down the back...you'll want them down the sides. UV mapping is about how to cut the mesh to get the least amount of distortion with the fewest seams. I know cutting it down the sides is two seams instead of one, but it's the flattest. LOL.

Like I said before...it's an art and will come in time ;).

Laurie

I went back into Blender and tried to clean up the seam a bit.

Well, I'm an old texturer, and it's easy for me to match seams, so maybe that plays into it ;)

Laurie

using projection paint can solve the seam issues if you learn how to use it correctly

create a master uv map and save it as master

then unwrap from view in front, left, rear, and right

from the views you can use texture projection painter topaint the image onto the main map without visible seams

i remember the tut from cgcookie from a ways back

Got a link?

http://cgcookie.com/blender/2009/06/18/texturing-with-projection-painting/

thats the one i remembered but its for older versions

the basics still are the same just different tool locations

Thanks, I'll check it out!

There is a newer one. Just wade thru the tutorials. LOL There's some gems in there anyway ;).

Laurie

I found this video on cloning to be the most helpful on the subject I've come across:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p4ngVoGIj1Q

That is rather awesome. I wonder if you can use clone painting to do textures for Roxie?

I'm sure you could.

projection and clone painting is the same idea except that in true projection painting ypou use UVmaps to make a single map and clone just uses a single map that you use a brush to paint on what is wanted

check the blender forum here because there is more links to the newer tuts about it and a few peoples tips as well

In clone you make two UV maps, and use projection UV mapping.  And that tutorial is from Jan 2013.  There's more recent texture painting tools, but I haven't seen any that change the basics of the cloning technique. 

Those are pretty.

Thanks. This one was pretty straightforward thanks to the excellent advice about texturing Blender people here gave me. I just used a reference photo to model the wings, then used the same photo to texture it. Perfect fit.