Difference between revisions of "PaintingAcrossSeams"

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When a 2D texture is applied to a 3D model, the [[TextureCoordinates]] often need to be split into multiple UV islands or chunks, to minimize distortion. These splits cause seams in the texture, which need to be removed by an artist.  
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When a 2D texture is applied to a 3D model, the [[TextureCoordinates]] often need to be split into multiple chunks to minimize distortion. These splits often cause seams in the texture, which need to be removed by an artist.  
  
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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.
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There 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.
  
  
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== 2D Paint ==
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# 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.
  
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= 2D Paint =
 
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# Paint & save in your 2D painting app (Photoshop, GiMP, etc.)
 
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# Reload the texture in your 3D app (3ds Max, Maya, etc.) to examine
 
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# Repeat until seams are solved
 
  
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== Integrated 3D Paint ==
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Use a 3D paint tool or plugin inside your main 3D software to paint directly on the model.
  
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* 3D Coat
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** The Paint Room allows 3D painting of four texture types at the same time: Diffuse, Bump, Displacement, Specular.
  
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= Integrated 3D Paint =
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* 3ds Max
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Use a 3D paint tool or plugin inside your main 3D software to paint directly across the seams.
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** [http://docs.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/13/ENU/Autodesk%203ds%20Max%202011%20Help/files/WS1a9193826455f5ff-6672057a11ce3b1f807-74cb.htm Viewport Canvas] for Max 2010 and later. Layers are only supported in Max 2011 and later. See the tutorial [http://www.shawnolson.net/a/1810/creating_a_tileable_texture_from_a_photo.html Creating a Tileable Texture from a Photo] by [http://www.shawnolson.net/u/1/shawn_olson.html Shawn Olson].
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** [http://renderhjs.net/textools/ 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.
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** [http://www.polyboost.com/ 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.
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** [http://www.texpaint3d.de/tutorialtexpaint3d.html TexPaint3D] is a free painting plugin, but does not isolate the painted details on a transparent layer.
  
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=== 3ds Max Painting Tools ===
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* Blender
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* [http://docs.autodesk.com/3DSMAX/13/ENU/Autodesk%203ds%20Max%202011%20Help/files/WS1a9193826455f5ff-6672057a11ce3b1f807-74cb.htm Viewport Canvas] for Max 2010 and later. Layers are only supported in Max 2011 and later. See the tutorial [http://www.shawnolson.net/a/1810/creating_a_tileable_texture_from_a_photo.html Creating a Tileable Texture from a Photo] by [http://www.shawnolson.net/u/1/shawn_olson.html Shawn Olson].
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** [http://wiki.blender.org/index.php/Doc:2.4/Manual/Textures/Painting Texture Paint].
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* [http://renderhjs.net/textools/ 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.
+
−
* [http://www.polyboost.com/ 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.
+
−
* [http://www.texpaint3d.de/tutorialtexpaint3d.html TexPaint3D] is a free painting plugin, but does not isolate the painted details on a transparent layer.
+
  
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=== Maya Painting Tools ===
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* Maya
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Maya has various painting methods available. See the [http://download.autodesk.com/us/maya/2011help/files/Paint_Effects_and_3D_Paint_Tool_overview_What_is_Painting_in_Maya_.htm Maya 2011 Help].
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** Maya has various painting methods available. See the [http://download.autodesk.com/us/maya/2011help/files/Paint_Effects_and_3D_Paint_Tool_overview_What_is_Painting_in_Maya_.htm Maya 2011 Help].
  
 +
* Photoshop
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** [https://helpx.adobe.com/photoshop/using/3d-painting-photoshop.html Photoshop Help / 3D painting].
  
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* Zbrush
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** Poly Paint uses vertex color to paint details on the model. This can be converted into texture using Projection Master, or exported to [[Texture Baking|bakers]] like Xnormal for baking.
  
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= Dedicated 3D Paint =
 
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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.
 
  
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== Dedicated 3D Paint ==
 +
You can use a [[Tools#3D Paint Software|dedicated 3D painting program]] to paint directly across seams.
  
 +
* Blacksmith3D Paint
 +
* BodyPaint 3D
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* CrackArt
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* Mari
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* P-XCEL
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* Substance Painter
  
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= Multiple UV Channels =
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Use your 3D app's texture-baking tool and multiple UV channels:
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== Multiple UV Channels ==
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# Apply a 2nd UV layout that is setup to be seamless where the original seam was.
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Fix seams by using two UV channels and baking textures:
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# Bake it out to a new texture.  
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# Create a UV layout and texture for your model.
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# Fix the seam in your 2D painting app.
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# Create a 2nd UV layout which moves the UV splits away from the existing seams.
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# Apply the new map in your 3D app, and bake it back into the original UV layout.  
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# Use a [[Texture Baking|baking tool]] to render the existing texture into the new UV layout.  
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# Use a 2D painting tool to fix the seams.
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# Apply the fixed texture to your model, and bake it back into the original UV layout.  
 
# [http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061019/kojesta_01.shtml 3ds Max Tutorial] for this process - by ''[http://www.peterkojesta.com Peter Kojesta]''
 
# [http://www.gamasutra.com/features/20061019/kojesta_01.shtml 3ds Max Tutorial] for this process - by ''[http://www.peterkojesta.com Peter Kojesta]''
  
  
  
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= More Information =
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== More Information ==
 
* [[:Category:TextureTechnique]] - Texturing techniques commonly used in game development.  
 
* [[:Category:TextureTechnique]] - Texturing techniques commonly used in game development.  
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* [[:Category:Concept]] - The basics of concept drawing and painting.  
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* [[Concept Fundamentals]] - The basics of concept drawing and painting.  
 
* [[TexturingTutorials]] - Tutorials for creating game textures.
 
* [[TexturingTutorials]] - Tutorials for creating game textures.
  
 
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[[Category:TextureTechnique]]
 
[[Category:TextureTechnique]]

Revision as of 09:12, 14 June 2015

When a 2D texture is applied to a 3D model, the TextureCoordinates often need to be split into multiple chunks to minimize distortion. These splits often cause seams in the texture, which need to be removed by an artist.

There 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

  1. Paint & save in your 2D painting app (Photoshop, GiMP, etc.).
  2. Reload the texture in your 3D app (3ds Max, Maya, etc.) to examine.
  3. Repeat until seams are solved.


Integrated 3D Paint

Use a 3D paint tool or plugin inside your main 3D software to paint directly on the model.

  • 3D Coat
    • The Paint Room allows 3D painting of four texture types at the same time: Diffuse, Bump, Displacement, Specular.
  • 3ds Max
    • Viewport Canvas for Max 2010 and later. Layers are only supported in Max 2011 and later. See the tutorial Creating a Tileable Texture from a Photo by Shawn Olson.
    • 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
    • Maya has various painting methods available. See the Maya 2011 Help.
  • Zbrush
    • Poly Paint uses vertex color to paint details on the model. This can be converted into texture using Projection Master, or exported to bakers like Xnormal for baking.


Dedicated 3D Paint

You can use a dedicated 3D painting program to paint directly across seams.

  • Blacksmith3D Paint
  • BodyPaint 3D
  • CrackArt
  • Mari
  • P-XCEL
  • Substance Painter


Multiple UV Channels

Fix seams by using two UV channels and baking textures:

  1. Create a UV layout and texture for your model.
  2. Create a 2nd UV layout which moves the UV splits away from the existing seams.
  3. Use a baking tool to render the existing texture into the new UV layout.
  4. Use a 2D painting tool to fix the seams.
  5. Apply the fixed texture to your model, and bake it back into the original UV layout.
  6. 3ds Max Tutorial for this process - by Peter Kojesta


More Information

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