headus 3D tools

axia777 · Posts: 15 Joined: 20 Aug 2007

is there any way to view what the textures look like in UV space with out having to constantly shift to 3D view and back again? It would be handy to see how the number grid or checkers are warping in relationship to how the polygons are really shaped on the mesh vs. how I make them in UV space. I often get the polygons to be just green in UV space, with no red or blue, but then on the mesh in tghe 3D view the checkers or number grid texture is warped really badly.

headus · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:17 pm Post subject:

The red/green/blue coloring is an indication of difference of area, so its still possible, if you are manipulating individual UVs by hand, to have a green poly thats warped. If you're using the automatic flattening then green polys aren't usually warped.

I think what you asking for is to be able to see the 3D view at that same time as the UVs, so the effect of any hand tweaking can be seen in realtime. Does that sound right? It currently not possible, but is pretty high up on the list of things to do.

Phil

axia777 · Posts: 15 Joined: 20 Aug 2007

headus · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:34 pm Post subject:

If you auto flatten then, as much as it can, UVLayout will make the texture square. The coloring indicates where the applied texture will be stretched/blurred (red) or compressed (blue) ... green is good. If you're taking a curved shape and squashing it down onto a flat plan there has to be some distortion, but UVLayout is trying to minimize the appearance of that by distributing it around evenly.

... being able to see two views at once to compare UV adjustments on the mesh and in UV space ...

Yes, thats the plan. Its the most requested thing left on my list of things to do.

Phil

axia777 · Posts: 15 Joined: 20 Aug 2007

headus · Posted: Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:52 pm Post subject:

... better to let the auto-flatten take care of it and to not sweat there being some red of blue.

Yes, pretty much. I wouldn't say don't worry about the reb/blue exactly ... they're a good way to judge if you need more cuts/darts to relieve the "pressure" ... red areas are under high pressure, and adding cuts from the boundary into those areas can let them open out some more to reduce the stretching. But of course, that adds more UV seams ... its left up to you to decide which is more important, fewer seams or less stretching.

I will be buying a license for this program very soon.

Thanks!

Phil

axia777 · Posts: 15 Joined: 20 Aug 2007

No problem Phil and thanks for all the help, you rock! Very Happy