PaintingAcrossSeams

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.

• Blender
  • Texture Paint.

• Maya
  • Maya has various painting methods available. See the Maya 2011 Help.

• Photoshop
  • Photoshop Help / 3D painting.

• 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

• Category:TextureTechnique - Texturing techniques commonly used in game development.
• Concept Fundamentals - The basics of concept drawing and painting.
• TexturingTutorials - Tutorials for creating game textures.

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