headus 3D tools

[expansivemango]

I'm really new to this software, but so far I love how quick and easy it is to make layouts. I'm building some hard surface models (ships) and was following a video tutorial showing how to use Segment Tools. I've got it all split apart into some workable shells.

I'm trying to get the side of the ship to project flat so that the top edge is along a single axis, but it keeps bowing. I tried using the "R" command, but get some strange results with it.

What's going on here? How do I get the projection I'm after?

[headus]

You've got a couple of options ...

If you just want a flat projection, then once the shell has been dropped
into UV space, aim the mouse pointer away from the shell and tap the 'F'
hotkey. You will then be able to stretch a box over that shell and it will
then flatten without optimizing. That's then a flat projection, and you
might want to lock it (with 'L') so a general optimize doesn't reshape it.

Or, if you want the straight top edge but the rest of the shell to flatten
nicely, use the 'I' or 'K' hotkeys. 'I' will make the tagged edges horizontal
or vertical, where 'K' will make them straight but let them sit at any angle.

Phil

[expansivemango]

thanks, that's exactly what I was looking to do. For some reason I wasn't getting that those commands had to be combined (tag then flatten). I was thinking flatten was only for pelting. The more i'm learning this software, the more I like how simple and quick it is.

[headus]

Thanks for the good news and feedback!

Phil