UV Mapping Based On Normals

[domhenry]

I hope this really isn't a super dumb question - is there a method to create a UV map based on the normal direction - so flattening selected surfaces on the normal direction....

There I asked....

Thanks

[Andy]

Do you mean Least Squares Conformal Map?

In AC3D, Select a few surfaces and press LSCM->Unwarp on the TCE. That will "flatten" the UV map.

[domhenry]

Yes - sort of like that - but the UV produced is distorted - looks like it is trying to fill the mapping window - it needs to do the same but without distorting it....

[Andy]

I don't think I know of an algorithm that does that. Do you know of one?

[domhenry]

Afraid not - but it seems to me that the LSCM Unwrap is very close to getting it right.

For comparison, in the attached I'm using the left side of an aircraft canopy. The top left is an unaltered UV Map using the Remap / left function. The bottom left is an unaltered LSCM Unwrap. The top right is the same LSCM Unwrap just resized dragging the bottom box up to match the top left.

So close.... The LSCM just needs fill left right - rather than left right and top bottom.... (maybe just an option for the LSCM).

Hope that makes some sense....
ta

[Andy]

Hmmm. Not sure what to suggest. You could try rotating the geometry before using LSCM, then rotating it back. Perhaps map from the top and then stretch it?

[domhenry]

Maybe I'm being a bit precious . The one above where I use a left then make the LSCM more or less the same size will work ok - was just trying to remove a couple of steps...
All good.