Advanced UV layout techniques?
 

I can layout uvs basically with the move and sew command but this does not always achieve the map i wish to end up with, I would like to have more manual control over this, could someone explain the other uv control tools to me or point me in the direction to figure them out. I've tried manually cutting edges but it doesnt work as i would have thought.

thanks guys

Hmm, this is kinda a tough question to answer, there are lots of little tips and tricks when it comes to UV'ing, I guess it depends on what you want to UV. Do you have anything in particular that needs doing, or just want some hints for when it comes to UV'ing certain objects? What is the type of map you wish to end up with? What problems are you having with cutting UV's?

A few personal favourite UV tools of mine that I use reguarly are the transfer UVs option (under the polygon menu I think), and relax UV's.

LisaG

Basically, I end up either automatic mapping the lot and laying everything out almost from scratch, or select faces and assign certain maps to groups of faces. I am laying out uvs for characters, I can lay them out but I know it could be done an awful lot quicker than the time i spend on it. The only tool i understand is the 'move and sew' tool which can be very crude at times, I would like to select maybe a few closed edges and attach them elsewhere as at times i end up with a 'seam' which I cannot alter. Just a run through or basic guide of some of the most common uv tools would be helpful

I recommend trying out all of the tools. just have a look at what they do. very helpful with char unwrapping is the "Unfold UV" which came with maya7.0 I think. but there is also a plugin which you can download from highend3d I think. it´s called pelt UVs or something. It´s a mel script which is created after the peltmap unfolder from 3ds max. awesome tool. just draw a seam and unfold a whole head in a minute. (with some tweaking of course)

try this toolSet


//edit: zip´s too big


here´s the link

http://www.highend3d.com/maya/downlo...ring/3869.html

i highly recommetd this plug in.

i was UV'ing character in 4-5 mins in maya.

the author also has a free tutorial movie on how to use it.

:beer:

yeah! I´m just watching the vids. this tool is awesome. haven´t ever tried it myself yet. just used to do that stuff in 3dsmax. but after what I can see for now is - no more peltmapping with max in the future.

Gadzooks! This tool has GOT to be the best thing since Kentucky Bourbon! Of course I will have to learn how to use it. I watched the video but didn't hear any sound. Just the same, the procedure seemed pretty simple! I wish I knew about this six months ago! :-)

Excellent I 'll take a look when I get a minute in work, Thanks for taking the time to help me out guys!!