An Introduction To UVMapping In 3d Studio Max Using The Unwrap UVW Modifier, Part 2

An Introduction To UVMapping In 3d Studio Max Using The Unwrap UVW Modifier, Part 2

on Feb 29th 2012 with 40 comments
Tutorial Details

Final Product What You'll Be Creating

This entry is part 2 of 2 in the series UVMapping Using The Unwrap UVW Modifier

In the second part we’ll take what we learned in part one and uv map an entire scene using the Unwrap UVW modifier in 3d Studio Max 2012. We’ll look at some ways to approach high-res subdivided geometry, and ways we can minimize texture stretching and distortion.

After we have UVs applied to every object, we’ll look at attaching and packing everything together in a single layout in preparation for map generation and texturing. All in all I’m hoping this tutorial will help shed some light on what is considered a major stumbling block by many beginners.

Additional Files/ Plugins:

Part 1

Download

Note: click the ‘Monitor’ icon to view tutorial in full-screen HD.

Part 2

Download

Part 3

Download

Part 4

Download

Part 5

Download

Part 6

Download

 
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Ben is one half (literally) of the editor duo here at Cgtuts+. Ben has over eight years of experience in the computer graphics field and although he's primarily a hard surface modeler, he's also experienced in the fields of uvmapping, texturing, lighting and rendering. He has authored many tutorials and training materials focused on 3d Studio Max and hard surface modeling. You can check out Ben's website at bentateonline.com to see more of his work.  

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  • Mark

    Thanks Ben, exactly what I was looking for, unwrapping with the turbosmooth modifier.

    Mark

  • HenFre

    This is definitely the best explanation of how to do UVMapping that I have come across on the internet. Congrats and thank you.

    All the best :)

  • http://www.gameengineer.net Steve

    Yet another great tut Ben! I really like your style of teaching including the pace you maintain.

    BTW, you are still using that “cliky” mouse. :) You know PC mices are cheap!

    • x3lumin8x

      Really dude? Hearing mouse clicks bothers you that much?

      • Steve

        Calm down, x3lumin8x, you see that little smiley? It means you can take the statement with a lighter tone. But, yes, the mouse click sound isn’t adding any quality to the video if you want me to put a fine point on it. Does it detract too much from the overall quality of what is being taught? No. Just some constructive criticism. Ben, take it for what its worth. x3lumin8x, just breathe, its ok. ;)

  • Douglas

    Why the quality of the videos are not good in full screen? I remember watching the old tutorials of Ben Tate and they had a very good quality.

    • http://www.bentateonline.com Ben Tate
      Author

      Hey Douglas,

      I agree, the embedded version looks terrible at full screen!

      The problem is Blip.tv generates a small streamable version that we embed in the page, I believe it’s only 640 pixels wide, where as the actual video is 1280×720. So if you use the full screen option in the player, it will stretch that small embed version to the full size of your monitor, making it look terrible.

      I’d recommend using the link above each video to download the 720p versions. You can do that by right clicking on each link and choosing “Save Target As” or “Save Link As”.

      You can also left click on the links and the video will open in a new page at full size :)

      Hope this helps,
      Cheers,
      Ben

  • Tioual Saeed

    Hi Ben,
    Thank u sooooooooooooo much for the great work u do, u and ur twine, both of u are awsome ;)
    Thanks for the TATE familly and keep it coming Pease and love from Morocco (Marrakech)
    Saeed

  • B2

    Thanks for your UV unwrap tutorials. I’m finally grasping the this tool after many years.

    You should do one of a vehicle (like a tank or armored vehicle). I would like to see how your UV workflow would be for something like that.

  • Stano Tirpák

    Absolutely brilliant tutorial, literally formic work. Long to watch it and not even create. My appreciation and thanks!

  • apg51sa

    Thanks Ben your tutorial is very good I also like your teaching style

  • Hans

    Thank you very much Ben.

  • DD

    Hi, Ben!
    Same tutorial for maya maybe?

  • Kyle Hubbard

    Hey Ben,

  • Kyle Hubbard

    Hey Ben,

    Thanks for the great tutorial. i have unwrapped the model and began texturing. The problem is, when i start texturing the model. the texture just appears as noise.

    http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad353/NobleWulf/TextureError.jpg

    Even though my texture looks fine in Photoshop. The texture is 2K.

    http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad353/NobleWulf/Texture.jpg

    Also, I have seen many of your modeling tutorials but have never followed them.I am asking anyone, what is the best way to actually “follow” a modeling tutorial?

    Thanks in advance.

    • http://www.bentateonline.com Ben Tate
      Author

      Thanks Kyle!

      That’s a strange one! I’m guessing it may be a problem with the actual image when it’s saved out of Photoshop. It you open the saved image (outside of Photoshop & 3ds Max) does it look normal?

      Ben

  • x3lumin8x

    Nice music in the intro video. Who did it and where can I get it? As always, fantastic tut.

  • Alan

    Hey Ben,
    Thanks so much for putting the time and effort into creating this Tutorial. I have always struggled with the UV Mapping part of modeling but this certainly has shown me some more efficient ways to doing things. Hopefully it will speed up my workflow.

    Thanks again and I look forward to your future Tutorials.
    -Alan

  • niki

    hi Ben, the tutorial is great! It will keep me busy.LOL
    Thank You,
    ——————–
    from Philippines

  • neeraj

    can we open the file of max 2010 version in max 2009 version……..
    is there any option to do that??????

  • Neeraj

    how do we open the max file of 2010 version in previous version with all the textures……?????
    plz reply its urgent……….

  • http://www.bentateonline.com Ben Tate
    Author

    Hey Neeraj,

    Unfortunately 3ds Max isn’t backwards compatible, so if you are using Max 2009 you won’t be able to open a .max file that was created with a newer version. I have included an OBJ file of the scene, which you can open in any version of Max using the “Import” function.

    To load it up just go to File > Import and choose the .obj file, then click “Open” and it should load the scene up for you, and you’re ready to go ;)

    Hope this helps!
    Ben

  • niki

    I have to comment one more time.:)
    From the start, part 1 and now this part 2 tutorial i watched at the same time follow the steps.
    It’s really confusing since this is the first time i have done UV mapping. This tutorial is a great help!
    So thanks so much for spending your precious time making it … the Best tutorial i have ever seen! :)

    • http://www.bentateonline.com Ben Tate
      Author

      Thanks Niki ;)

  • http://www.facebook.com/pages/mmmstudio/192599890830195 mark monsanto

    thanks a lot sir for the great tutorial..you cleared up my mind..now..its time for me to develop this..

  • Loic Fontaine

    Thanks for this great tutorial, it really helps!

    But I was wandering if there is a way to straighten the UV’s in max 11 because the button you use is only available in max 12.

    • http://www.bentateonline.com Ben Tate
      Author

      Thanks Loic!

      There’s a fantastic free script called “Unwrap Tools” by Amit Singh, which has similar straightening options. I used it for years before upgrading to 3ds Max 2012 and it always worked great. So I’d definitely recommend trying it out.
      I’m not 100% sure it works with 3ds Max 2011, but I’d be very surprised if it didn’t ;)

      You can download it here:
      http://fearthedevil.com/words/?p=117

      Hope this helps!
      Ben

  • ali Talebi

    Perfect!!!!!!!!
    Tanx

  • system

    U are the man…Thanx….brilliant tutorial

  • Ben Stanley

    Great tutorial Ben. Definitely helped me learn how to unwrap complex objects. Thanks! Before this I had no clue at all how to approach this haha

  • jay27flow

    :) I love your tutorials Ben! You are cool, and professional! One of the best things: you know how to teach, becouse there is lot of repeated steps and suddelny i’m just wondering i know the thing…XD Thank you for everything! You’re the best Max teacher, like Andrew in AE.
    Respect!!

  • jay27flow

    :) 2 things: if you click on the relax setting button on the PELT MAP floating dialog box and customize the relax settings and apply, then later if you open the relax from the tool menu it keeps the settings you typed in earlier :) (like amount 1 like always)
    I have an own FPS style viewport navigation shortcut set, and when i applied a UVUnwrap modifier i lost my shortcuts and it was very annoying, but i found the reason of that: there is a SHORTCUT OVERRIDE button in the main toolbar and that switched my shortcuts off.. i dont’t know, maybe the new max comes with default that button pushed on? So if anyone else sucked it in it is the soulution (i red it somewhere)…

    • http://www.bentateonline.com Ben Tate
      Author

      Thanks Jay, glad to hear that!

      I usually like to show things in repetition, even if I’ve already covered the exact same steps or techniques. I figure if you only see something done once, chances are you’re not going to remember it later on ;)

      Thanks for the tip on the relax settings, worked like a charm! That’s something that’s been pissing me off since I upgraded to Max 2012. They used to have a ‘Save as Default” option directly in the Relax dialog box, which saved the changes. For some reason they chose to remove it in newer versions (it only worked about half the time anyway.) So your method is gonna save me some major headaches ;)

      Regarding the “Keyboard Shortcut Toggle Override” button, it is On by default in 2012 I believe, it does seem to be a little buggy though. I’ve also had the same problem with shortcuts not working when unwrapping, major pain in the ass for sure!

      I usually mention it whenever I do unwrapping in a tut (can’t remember if I mentioned it somewhere in this one or not.) But if anyone’s hotkeys aren’t working in the unwrap window, definitely try turning it on (or off) and it should allow you to use the default shortcuts at least.

      Thanks Man!
      Cheers,
      Ben

  • howard seeber

    Mr Tate;
    while doing this tutorial and on the second set of steps.(the upper ones with a couple of chamfers).when i did the pelt mapping… 3 times.. i got something very weird and nothing at all as you had..when i first opened the entryway in max and had the 2nd set of steps selected..the “green” selection line was not in the same place as yours..at first i didnt think anything of it (using 3ds max 2013 64bit)..but when nothing was going right i re-examined the model.. the max scene i got from the download has ALL of the BOTTOM polys still attached ..so i selected them..deleted them ,and now all is ok and the steps follow your tutorial exactly..thought you might want to know this as well as any other people who download and use this model for the tutorial.
    thanks much for a great tutorial.. it has immensely helped me with UVW mapping which i was lousy at before this!!
    howard

  • SETJ

    tnx for this tuts. only a little problem. part 3 is not work!

    • Ben_Tate

      Hey sorry about that!

      That damn Blip.tv is always giving us problems! Anyhow I’ve re-uploaded the third video directly to our servers, so everything should be working correctly now ;)

      Cheers,
      Ben

      • SETJ

        tnx. i like ur tuts! be happy :)

  • Khronos87

    Great tutorial! Congratulations mr. Tate! I really learned a lot today, and hopefully will apply my new knowledge for a game artist job opening. Thank you again!

  • Anders

    I have some problems applying material to the architecture. It just turns black. I’m using 3ds max 2013 x64.

  • Anders

    Solved it. Had to apply a UVW map also.