Maaragroth (LizardKing ) lowpoly texture problems

[Chaosv49]

Hey I'm new to texturing and unwrapping and now see a problem with my unwrap and texture for my low poly model which I forgot to attened to.

I have textured the back and front of the model but I forgot the sides (Yeah, I know, stupid right?) Is there any way I can select all the side parts. My unwrap is pretty confusing right now.

http://i41.tinypic.com/2l9tw88.jpg

http://i41.tinypic.com/2zoyctz.jpg

[Junkie_XL]

You definitely need better UV's. You should always perfect this first before texturing.

Using checker or a numbered grid as your texture while you unwrap is preferable because then you can see where your stretching is occuring and you won't have to pay the price for re-doing your texture later on.

I'm feeling generous. If you want to send me the max file I can unwrap it for you quickly. Then when I send it back you can see how it should be done so the sides don't stretch.

[Chaosv49]

Ah thanks dude. Ok hm, rapidshare.com is pretty slow... how can I send you it? email?

[Junkie_XL]

Use yousendit and then post the link here. Then maybe others want to have a crack at unwrapping your dude too. We could use the thread here to learn from each other. Maybe how I unwrap wouldn't be how someone else would do it, etc.

EDIT: btw I'm still on max 2008. I'm not on 2009. Maybe exporting as an .obj would be better so Maya and older max users could give it a shot... :-P

[Chaosv49]

Trying to figure out how to use yousendit..

EDIT : rapidshare works - way easier to use.
http://rapidshare.com/files/195609216/Maraagroth.max.html Please dont use it and say its yours (I dont think anyone will because its a a rubbish model anyway)

[Chaosv49]

Click free user

[Junkie_XL]

Sorry I stepped away for a bit...Did this in about 5-10 minutes. Here you go.

https://www.yousendit.com/download/WnBUa3NhU1BqY3F4dnc9PQ

I exported as .obj so others could view if they wish. Import in with "texture coordinates" checked
I was pretty sloppy with packing but you can almost fit it into a 2x1 space if you move some of the shells around.

The best way to do this is to think of your model as a 3D piece of paper when cutting in your seams. Then research some tutorials on "pelt mapping".

Hope this helps somewhat?

[Chaosv49]

I imported the obj file. Its an editable mesh. Am I supposed to try and study the UV unwrap? Its collapsed down I think :P

Edit : Lol, never thot of going to uv unwrap. Nice Pelt map. :)

[Junkie_XL]

Convert to Editable Poly and add a UV Unwrap. Yeah I was thinking you could study that but maybe I just confused you more...

The purpose of unwrapping is to "flatten" everything down so when you paint on the surface nothing will stretch.

[Chaosv49]

Yeah, to make it more fluid like cloth ect. :) Thanks man. This is a model for a personal texture project I'm gonna be doing. I'll post stuff later.

[Chaosv49]

Its quite hard to recognise the diffrent parts. I'm sure i'll get it.

[Junkie_XL]

Yeah it can be confusing if you're not used to texturing that way. Baking in a lightmap as a layer you can use in photoshop might help you to determine where features are.

Follow this tutorial
http://www.bobotheseal.com/tuts_vertex_bake01.htm

It's a bit old. Instead of needing texporter you could just use "render to texture" in max and add a LightingMap element.