Go Back   AC3D Forums > General > AC3D General
Register FAQ Members List Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 28th October 2020, 11:43 AM   #1
Avionyx
Junior Member
Junior member
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: South Coast - UK
Posts: 1
Default Texture Mapping for dummies

Hi Guys,

I've been using AC3D for years to create models but normally leave the mapping to others who do it using other software. I'd now like to learn how to do it on my own and can texture map a simple object no problem.

The issue comes with trying to do something more complex and I'm pretty sure I'm going wrong so thought I'd put my process down here and ask for a bit of help.

Let's say I'm trying to texture the area of a tail section of this helicopter.



What I really want to do is have a map with one area covering the left profile and the other covering the right profile.
The problem is I can't just do a cut down the middle in surface mode as I would if it were a simple shape as the left side and right side aren't evenly split.

What I've been doing so far is selecting the surfaces which roughly cover the left profile and assigning that to a space on the map and then doing the same for the right side.
The issue being while in surface mode I can't see what area is already covered by the map so I have to guess and with so many surfaces I end up missing/overlapping somewhat.

I'm hoping I'm being really silly here and missing a simple trick to unwrap these objects somehow into a easy to map mesh but I haven't found it yet.
any and all help much appreciated

Alex
Avionyx is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th October 2020, 06:53 PM   #2
Andy
Administrator
Professional user
 
Andy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,563
Default Re: Texture Mapping for dummies

Treating it as two halves is the way to go. What I've seen people do is to set the surface material of both 'halves' to different colors. Then you can select the groups of surfaces with the same color by right-clicking on the palette button "select surfaces with same material".


This way, you can texture map one surface group at a time and ensure you don't overlap.



After you've finished your mapping, select all surfaces and set the materials back to white (or whatever).
Andy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17th January 2021, 07:09 AM   #3
Almdudler
Member
Advanced member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 32
Default Re: Texture Mapping for dummies

clicking polygon by polygon until one side is marked, then group it.
and save as .ac, not as .obj., while you keep working on it later.
pretty painful work to be honest.

unfortunately ac3d has no video tutorials for all the typical needs of x-plane users,
which is a shame.
Almdudler is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18th January 2021, 11:03 AM   #4
Andy
Administrator
Professional user
 
Andy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 4,563
Default Re: Texture Mapping for dummies

This covers the basics:


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADoQykosw1c
Andy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19th January 2021, 05:26 AM   #5
Almdudler
Member
Advanced member
 
Join Date: Apr 2018
Posts: 32
Default Re: Texture Mapping for dummies

Quote:
Originally Posted by Andy View Post

yeah, luckily we have good old Joe, who does your work for free.
but thanks for the link.

my suggestion Andy is: build a how to page at least, can't be too much work can it.
Almdudler is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 01:51 AM.


AC3D Forum
(C) Inivis Limited 2020