Case Study#3: Your face is a UV!!

This case study involved watching a tutorial about unwrapping, that was NOT 3ds max. I chose the tutorial in the link below, the audio is a bit weak, though gets the his point across.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vu2jZwRmz1o

 

Question#1:  What was their method of unwrapping?  What steps were taken and why?

 

The method it seemed was  to separate the model into different pieces, but cutting sections of the model away from the rest. The tutorial used a cut tool that allowed the modeler to section off areas, and when done, allowed the texture to apply itself much more smoothly, and evenly. Blender does most of the work for you, though still needs help in deciding where/how a texture should be applied.

Question#2:  From what you saw in their tutorial, was there anything from their technique that you found interesting or unusual?  Why?

 

The entire process made sense to me, and seemed incredibly user friendly. The fact that Blender can almost unwrap an object by itself, is pretty interesting to me. The model seemed pretty complex, and the program dealt with the curves and sharp turns accordingly, with only slight help from the modeler. It seems that the program really allows for creativity in how you want to accomplish things, without being too intrusive.

 

Question#3:  Knowing what you know now, and seeing others working on the same material you are, what are your expectations or feelings on the matters of unwrapping?

 

I feel that unwrapping can be difficult if you don’t know the right tools for the job. Certain things can become incredibly time consuming if you don’t know the program you are using, and that practice makes perfect. With a better understanding of the program you are using, whether it be Blender or 3DS MAX, it creates a more efficient work flow, and allows things to be done in a timely manner.

Assignment#3: Spaceship UVs

 

Assignment 3 was to unwrap a spaceship model. I attempted to do things in a way that made it understandable from another’s perspective. The disk is easily distinguishable, while the smaller set pieces, are set aside with less of a focus. Since the disk would be the most visible, I dubbed it the most important, and gave itself, and its corresponding pieces, the most room on the UV map.

The rest, including the legs, take up the rest of the map, while still allowing for space to texture and understand where the pieces fit. Although my main focus was to make sure that there was no stretching when a texture was applied.

Case Study#3: Your face is a UV!!

Question#1:  What was their method of unwrapping?  What steps were taken and why?

Answer #1: He began by cutting apart the model so that it would be easier to work with. One piece of the puzzle at a time if you will. He made and applied a checker pattern on the model, just as we do. In order to assist in seeing if there is any stretching on the texture. Then he went to a side view of his model over the texture, and took the vertices on the edge of the model and pulled them way out so that he could “play with” them. Then he took all the vertices and made them as level as possible. Then he aligned them. From there he went into the unfold tool, Maya’s unwrap, and began to tinker with the options. He pinned the vertices and cranked the bias up. I was actually pretty blown away on his second try. It came out pretty damn well.

Question#2:  From what you saw in their tutorial, was there anything from their technique that you found interesting or unusual?  Why?

Answer #2 At the start of the video, he explained that the unwrap, lighting, and texture all work together to improve the quality of aesthetic value of your model.  It didn’t seem like he used many “techniques” within his video, but if it counts the tools in Maya for unwrapping seem far, far more powerful than those in Max. I’ve seen a few other Maya unwrap videos, and have come to that same conclusion. That program has, in my opinion, far better tools for the job than Max does.

Question#3:  Knowing what you know now, and seeing others working on the same material you are, what are your expectations or feelings on the matters of unwrapping?

Answer #3 Knowing what I know now, my expectations of wrapping in Max remain as they did. But  Maya on the other hand, I would like to get into a little more, even if it is just for the unwrapping. The process as a whole seems more efficient, as well as less strenuous.

Kody Sokalski

Assignment#3: Spaceship UVs

I went for a space saving UV pack, which in some cases would be practical in a game. I would easily be able to fit additional assets onto this single UV space. I stacked similar pieces on top of each other, and I kept all the UV’s scaled to one another. As a result of doing so, I left seams alone which would make the actual texture process a bit more of a challenge to complete, but at with that said, I feel as if it cut down the amount of stretching that occurs on the model.

I did scale my UVs up for the picture of the checker texture to help illustrate the point of less stretching.

Kody Sokalski

Case Study#3: Your face is a UV Shell!!

URL: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iyOhRuwRoVI

Question#1:  What was their method of unwrapping?  What steps were taken and why?

Basically he took the hand he was unwrapping and cut the palm of the hand out  and then slit it down the side and unfolded the palm of the hand so it would be flat. Then you could repeat the processes on the fingers and thumbs till u have each part layed out and easier to texture.

Question#2:  From what you saw in their tutorial, was there anything from their technique that you found interesting or unusual?  Why?

I found it interesting that somthing as coplex as a hand could be unfolded so easyly and quickly. Eben tho it might not be the best way but its a great start and its really easy to understand.

Question#3:  Knowing what you know now, and seeing others working on the same material you are, what are your expectations or feelings on the matters of unwrapping

I think i have a ok grasp on unwrapping now and its pretty fun to do only thing i need to do better is filling up my uv space but other then that i cant wait to try some hard things and learn more.

Assignment#3: Spaceship UVs

 

I basically was trying to make circle part of the space ship take up most of the uv space since its the main part you will see on it. Also i layered the top of the space ship and made it the second biggest thing on the map. all the other parts of the ship i layered together and didnt make them to big since depending how its sitting you’ll never see it anyways but i mainly did alot of stacking with the uvs because i figured if i were to texture it would be sorta a single color.

Case Study #3

 

Q1: What was their method of unwrapping?  What steps were taken and why?

With roadkill, the process that is followed is much more simple than most unwrap processes. The software is written to edit the map to best fit onto the UV space as well as to manipulate the map to an acceptable state. Knowledge of the unwrap process is needed to produce a clean finished product but the final version is finished in a more acceptable time. He shows how easily edges are selected and “cut” from the rest of the geometry. This then allows the software to flatten/map out the remaining parts. As more pieces are separated, more efficient maps are laid out.

 

Q2:  From what you saw in their tutorial, was there anything from their technique that you found interesting or unusual?  Why?

 

The actual process shown is simple in itself. However, the implementation is innumerable in its applications. With experience this software can be used to a great advantage. I was surprised at the software’s effectiveness and accuracy. I am sure it is not always appropriate but at least a few major changes can be made in roadkill to later be finessed in your final software of choice.

 

Q3: Knowing what you know now, and seeing others working on the same material you are, what are your expectations or feelings on the matters of unwrapping?

 

I feel that my skill is honorable yet still developing. I have a firm understanding of the “applied science” but just like all things, it takes practice. The more experience I gain the faster and more efficiently I will be able to unwrap.  Though there may be a knowledge cap, there is always room for self improvement regarding both efficiency and speed.