Best tool for UV mapping/changing? (goal is M3/V3/H3/A3 UV to Genesis)
Jonstark
Posts: 2,738
I know next to nothing about UV mapping, but I'm interested in what tool would be the best to use to re-draw UV maps from the generation 3 figures so I can use those textures on Genesis.
I guess there used to be a product called Texture Converter2 that was sold in the DAZ store at one time that would allow automatic conversion of generation 3 texture sets to be used on V4/M4, however it's no longer available (though it's weird since the DAZ store still sells add-on modules for Texture Converter2, just not the base product).
Just curious what you guys think would be the best tool to approach this.
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Comments
repaint in Ultimate Unwrap3D using clones
Blender baking using clones
Blacksmith3D
Zbrush Zprojection
If you have a UV product DAZ studio Map transfer is also a possibility, I do recall there being one using geografts for Genesis 3 or 8 but don't think there was one for Genesis
https://www.daz3d.com/legacy-uvs-for-genesis-3-special-edition-victoria-3
it could be awkwardly transferred from 3 to 1 afterwards though, due to different surfaces and geografted bits one would need to combine maps in an image editor.
V3, M3, A3 etc all have the same UV BTW
otherwise Autodesk Maya
My trial ended prematurely after 2weeks due to some glitch but I did manage to create a rough V2 UV for Genesis 3 with a couple of shared surface issues in that time, sadly I didn't have time or skill to refine it.
But yes, Maya can project UV mapping from one mesh to another if they occupy the same vertex space even though the vertex counts differ.
I'd definitely watch a few tutorials about UV mapping before trying this... Just to familiarize yourself with the concepts and terminology and get an idea of what to expect... maybe some basic tutorials before buying anything and probably just start out with some basic Blender and 3D Coat videos where they show a simple figure being unwrapped.
Basically all UV mapping operates under the same principles, but how each program is laid out and what individual tools it has (and where they are) is slightly different... the Graphic User Interface can make a huge difference too when you are learning.
I'd definitely do that before buying anything, although Blender is pretty cheap (free), but Blender isn't everyone's cup of tea... although it's now a lot more user friendly.
Otherwise I'd agree with everything WendyLuvsCatz suggested.
There's a bunch of other products that will do the same stuff. Do some research first to get the one that best suits what you are looking for. The industry standard is UVLayout
yes the other option for Map transfer would be to give both meshes an alternative overlapping UV.
so if similar shapes they can be unwrapped to an identical layout
Thanks everyone, especially Wendy, for the pointers and suggestions. Blender is right at my favorite price point, so it sounds like that's the way to go. :)
Well dang it, Blender seemed like it would be such an easy and quick fix. However the V3 comes in with a slightly different Tpose than Genesis makes, even with the V3 morph applied. If only the clone had matched exactly, I think Blender baking would have been an instant solution... Guess I'll have to find another way.
In my opinion tools don't define the artist, 'best' is always in the eyes of the artist that's using them.
And although cliched I also believe in "getting what you paid for". Bias does go into effect right now but... for me nothing really beats ZBrush so far. It does take some preparing because when you sent a model over into ZBrush (using GoZ) you don't necessarily get all the textures mapped out and getting them mapped can be tricky. However, ZBrush can (and usually will) get the right UV mapping similar to that used in Daz Studio. Turn UV mapping into "Poly groups" (= specific ZBrush feature) and you can (somewhat) easily separate different mesh parts. Once you have a part separated you can then apply the texture matching it and then....
Yah, I am biased, but to me personally nothing really matched ZBrush's Polypaint feature. As suggested above: it can be tricky to get to this point within ZBrush; making sure your mapping fits (you may need to sub divide the mesh), setting up polygroups (so far it's all using menu options) and then applying the texture from Daz.
Polypaint gets its name from the fact that you don't need to bother with UV maps ("sorta"). Heck, you don't even need to bother with textures ("sorta" *), you can basically paint directly onto your mesh and then generate the right texture map based on that effort. I never looked back after somewhat mastering this feat for myself. I also stopped caring about texture packs entirely because... it's not that hard anymore to texture stuff.
Of course there is a hefty price tag here.
Now, in all fairness: I am not trying to insinuate that "ZBrush is best". In fact.. I don't believe in comments or questions like that, there is no "best". What's best for me can be horrid for you and vice versa. And... no disrespect intended but still mentioned for context: in my opinion only tools blame their tools.
Having said that though, and once again mentioning that I am biased... Painting directly onto a 3D mesh just like that? To me there's nothing like it.
(edit.. almost forgot):
* "Sorta" because if you need to change a texture you'll need to apply it and that can become tricky.
you only need objects not rigged figures BTW esp to do new UV's in surfaces you need the exact vertex order
It is possible to transform V3 poses, including the 'zero' pose, to & from G8, as well as doing Genesis & Genesis 2 to/from G8. This way it's possible to get V3 into a T pose very similar to G1 or G2F. It isn't perfect, but fairly good. You'd need to start with G1->G8F or G2F->G8F transfer scripts then G8F->V3 to transfer the G1/G2F 'T' pose to V3.
(V3->G8F: https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/86661/two-victoria-3-to-g8f-pose-scripts Not really needed for this, listed for info. )
G8F->V3: https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/86762/g8f-to-victoria-3-aiko-3-pose-transfer
G1->G8F: https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/88726/victoria-5-g1f-pose-transfer-to-g8f
G2F->G8F: https://www.renderosity.com/freestuff/items/89255/g2f-pose-transfer-to-g8f
There are other scripts around for moving between the Genesis generations, but I simply can't remember where. I bookmark them & loose them, sorry.
Hope this helps.
Regards,
Richard.
Wow, thanks Richard! No time to try it now as I have to run off to work, but later today I'll give it a try. I appreciate it :)
Well, it got pretty close, that's a very good pose transfer script Richard, thanks for turning me onto it.
There was still a scaling issue though; apparently whoever made the clone for Victoria 3 still has it scaled differently than the original Vicky3. Like not even close; original Vicky3 is much taller. I pondered on how to proceed, then broke out GenX2 and loaded a character onto original Vicky3, creating a morph for Genesis1 for that same character and applying it. Much much closer, and with your pose transfer is was pretty close, just needed to iron out the bits that weren't matching. I spent about a half hour scaling and rotating the various bits that weren't fitting right (toes were easy peasy and snapped into place, but fingers were forever to iron out).
Took them into Blender to bake, but now I'm watching all the Blender baking tutorials and it doesn't seem like this will do what I want after all (I should have watched the tutorial videos first, but I'm a blockhead lol). Seems projection baking from one object to another is indeed possible, but it will create an all-new uv map on the target geometry. Unless I'm missing something (and I certainly could be), this won't make a V3UV map for Genesis, but a whole new uv map that I'm not sure I could use. Anyways I guess it doesn't matter much; there were only a very few Generation 3 maps that I was even interested in, so I'll shelf this project for another time when it's more pressing.
Thank you all very much for all the help :)
you can use that new UV map with Map transfer though to create maps
Oh, thank you Wendy. I had seen a tutorial floating around from Sickleyield a while back about how to use map transfer, sounds like it's worth going and looking that up.
Looks like Blender will make one UV map for the whole body. I guess that's not really a problem though? I can't think why it would be...
Hmm, thank you, maybe I'll have another go at this tomorrow.
just had a better option built on the geografted product I linked pointed out
https://www.daz3d.com/forums/discussion/302076/genesis-8-uv-for-legacy-uvs-geograft-done#latest
`What V3 textures were you looking at getting?
I just had a thought the Texture Converter2 was made by 3D Universe ,you might try asking them if they would sell it to you. Try sending them a message on their FaceBook page or their website it couldn't hurt ,it is a stand alone program and I know it still works ,then you could buy the V3 plugin and the V4 Genesis can use the V4 textures .
Here's their email info@3duniverse.co.za