headus 3D tools

[Chazzi]

Is there any way to automaically create boxes by polygroups?

I want to organize the way uvlayout packs my shells. So that meshes that are considered one piece stay together in one uv tile. It's a very complicated mesh with many many parts.

[headus]

"Is there any way to automaically create boxes by polygroups?"

Not currently; at the moment polygroups are only used for the initial segmenting of a mesh without UVs. By the sounds of it though, you have everything flattened out already, and are only interesting in repacking the shells you already have, yes?

Phil

[Chazzi]

yes Uvlayout did a great job at flattening it.
I only wish there was a way to box by polygroups.

for example:
If I modeled every brick of a brickwall and sent the whole thing to uvlayout. I want every side of a single brick boxed so they stay togther and NOT be spread across mutliple tiles.

It's definitely a performance hit in 3d paint programs.

[headus]

"I only wish there was a way to box by polygroups. "

Here's a method that isn't automatic, but if you only have a dozen or two polygroups, it may not be too painful.

Once you have everything flattened, use the Group panel to G mark the polys of the first group you want boxed. Then move your mouse pointer over into the graphics window and aim the mouse pointer at thin air (i.e. make sure its not over any polys) and type G-S then H-G. That should hide all polys not part of the first group. You can then LMB stretch a box over all the shells left to select them and then use Pack "New Box". I'd then pack the new box and drag it off to one side, then use H-U to bring everything back, and repeat for all your remaining polygroups.

If you have a lot of polygroups, making something automatic wont be too hard, but it'll take me a few weeks to get around to I'd think.

Phil

[Chazzi]

Thanks for the tip. I do have lots of polygroups. I will continue using that method until something better comes out. Great job on UVlayout I love the program.

Brian