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Creating Skins For Characters

MysticWingsMysticWings Posts: 226
edited December 1969 in Daz Studio Discussion

Hello!

Before I make my question, I want to let you know that I don't know nothing on the subject, nothing at all! So I'm actually looking for some guidance in learning. Please give me your answers having this on account. :)

I am creating characters for a fantasy book I wrote. The thing is, it's fantasy... and most of the characters don't have the kind of skin we humans have. In some cases, like the one in the image, I was able to create a nice skin just using diffuse. But in lots of other cases it's not enough and I can't have the desirable look just using the surfaces tab.

So, what is the best way to learn how to create my one skins?
If you know good tutorials or other stuff that can help me I will be very grateful!

1782516_254530984724403_1597456477_o.png
1033 x 919 - 379K

Comments

  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001
    edited December 1969

    First you'll need a good 2D image editor...Photoshop, GIMP (my preference), Krita, Paint.Net, PaintShop, etc, that you are comfortable using and have a basic knowledge of how to use it. One that works with layers is an absolute 'must have' feature. A large selection of brushes, is a plus.

    Then you'll need a set of templates...they are basically an exported UV map. They are used to layout the initial texture and in some cases the whole thing.

    A 3D painting program like 3DCoat, Blacksmith3D and others is a plus, but is usually considered an 'advanced' tool, but they are extremely useful for taking care of the seams that will inevitably occur and for adding extra details.

    I don't have a list of tutorials handy, but there are a lot of good ones around...most are for Photoshop, but the techniques are usable in any editor. If someone else doesn't post any links I'll dig up some later...

  • Scott LivingstonScott Livingston Posts: 4,344
    edited March 2014

    Patience55 has a nice, thorough tutorial on creating skins from scratch: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/31369/

    If you'd rather use premade, non-human-type skins, there are plenty of those available too. Check out Thorne's characters, or surreality's Otherworldly Wonders line, for instance. Or RawArt, Valandar, etc. for more "monstrous" character skins.

    http://www.daz3d.com/creatures/monsters-humanoid
    http://www.daz3d.com/creatures/fairies-elves

    Post edited by Scott Livingston on
  • MysticWingsMysticWings Posts: 226
    edited December 1969

    Many thanks :) I actually have photoshop, am comfortable in use it and have a large selection of brushes including skin brushes. Step 1 completed! :P

    About the templates... can I export the uv maps directly from the character in daz? I'm asking this because going around daz shop I already saw a kind of kit of this templates. In that moment I did not payed to much attention, but now it came to my mind if I should have them in order to make this... or if they are just for more specific things.

    The 3d painting program... I will look at it. :) One step at a time.

    Thank you for your time and let's see if someone else post some links :)

  • MysticWingsMysticWings Posts: 226
    edited December 1969

    Scott-Livingston said:
    Patience55 has a nice, thorough tutorial on creating skins from scratch: http://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/31369/

    If you'd rather use premade, non-human-type skins, there are plenty of those available too. Check out Thorne's characters, or surreality's Otherworldly Wonders line, for instance. Or RawArt, Valandar, etc. for more "monstrous" character skins.

    http://www.daz3d.com/creatures/monsters-humanoid
    http://www.daz3d.com/creatures/fairies-elves

    Thank you. Have to see the tutorial with calm and ease. :)

    There are really good product around daz, but most of them are not exactly what I want and are complete characters. And most of all, as I'm short on money, would really like to learn since I have lots of different characters in my book with lots of different skins...

  • JimmyC_2009JimmyC_2009 Posts: 8,891
    edited December 1969

    Then you’ll need a set of templates…they are basically an exported UV map. They are used to layout the initial texture and in some cases the whole thing.


    Templates are sometimes available on the Product Page like this : http://www.daz3d.com/victoria-5 Under the Resources tab, it is a downloadable file which you can put wherever you want.

    There is a free program called UVMapper which can be used to extract templates for your own use.
  • MysticWingsMysticWings Posts: 226
    edited December 1969

    JimmyC_2009 said:
    Then you’ll need a set of templates…they are basically an exported UV map. They are used to layout the initial texture and in some cases the whole thing.


    Templates are sometimes available on the Product Page like this : http://www.daz3d.com/victoria-5 Under the Resources tab, it is a downloadable file which you can put wherever you want.

    There is a free program called UVMapper which can be used to extract templates for your own use.

    Wawwww, nice, this one I didn't know!!! Thanks!

    About uvmapper... didn't went to it's page yet (I am learning modeling and just now going to uv mapping) but for what I understand is just for pc, there's no version for the latest osx systems... will explore this, but as I see it now is no option for me.

  • mjc1016mjc1016 Posts: 15,001
    edited December 1969

    Most often they will be on the 'base' product...so, look for them on Victoria pages, not ones with other characters for her, for example.

    And if they aren't on the product page, look in your account, because the newer store items have them in with the other downloads for that item.

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