Painting Across Seams
Contents
Here are some common workflows for solving texture seams. It is often easier if the seams can be painted non-destructively, on a separate layer with transparency.
2D Paint
Paint & save in your 2D painting app (Photoshop, GiMP, etc.)
- Reload the texture in your 3D app (3ds Max, Maya, etc.) to examine
- Repeat until seams are solved
Integrated 3D Paint
Use a 3D paint tool or plugin inside your main 3D software to paint directly across the seams.
3ds Max Painting Tools
Viewport Canvas for Max 2010 and 2011. Layers are only supported in the Max 2011 version.
TexTools is a free set of tools. Camera Map allows projection painting in conjunction with your 2D painting app, via the Windows clipboard. Does not isolate the painted details on a transparent layer.
PolyBoost was the genesis of Viewport Canvas. It works in older versions of Max, but is not free. Does not isolate the painted details on a transparent layer.
TexPaint3D is a free painting plugin, but does not isolate the painted details on a transparent layer.
Maya Painting Tools
Maya has various painting methods available. See the Maya 2011 Help.
Dedicated 3D Paint
You can use a dedicated 3D painting program to paint directly across the seams. See the Tools page for a list of 3D Paint software.
Multiple UV Channels
Use your 3D app's texture-baking tool and multiple UV channels:
- Apply a 2nd UV layout that is setup to be seamless where the original seam was.
- Bake it out to a new texture.
- Fix the seam in your 2D painting app.
- Apply the new map in your 3D app, and bake it back into the original UV layout.
3ds Max Tutorial for this process - by Peter Kojesta
More Information
CategoryTextureTechnique = Texturing techniques commonly used in game development.
CategoryConceptFundamentals = The basics of concept drawing and painting.
TexturingTutorials = Tutorials for creating game textures.