Blended Cube Projection
Feb 13, 2013 by Paul Roberts
17
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Software used: 3DS Max
Subjects: Texturing
Neil Blevins has published a fascinating tutorial demonstrating a technique for texturing complex, multi-part objects without an arduous UVW unwrapping process. The technique builds on an earlier tutorial that explores the blended box mapping technique, but extends this to allow for hand painting the cube map using 6 individual renders, one for each side, as a guide. The technique uses blendedCubeProjectionMaker a tool recently added to Neil’s Soulburn Scripts, and CameraMapGemini, a free script for camera projection. Read the full tutorial on neilblevins.com.
InstantUV was such a great tool, hope someone will resurrect it… it’s a pity that such a simple and powerful technology hasn’t been implemented since, well, the year 1999! I wrote an review about it, so I know the time 🙂
I have been thrown in some MaxUnderground time-machine!
The same thread with the same content was created a year ago, the same people (“rs”) wrote almost the same text. I remember this news because i am myself an old instantuv user and hope for some new plugin.
Here is the Deja-Vu News from Dec. 2011:
http://cgpress.com/archives/15207_blended_box_mapping_using_projections.html
And i wrote and write again – there will be no resurrection of InstantUV, and the only thing that is resurrected is the same old tutorial from Neil Blevins. And unfortunately, the announced CameraGemini has not been ported to Max2013 (and as such it is not compatible and wont work in 2 months in Max2014), which makes the news even more problematic and less “news”.
Maybe we should make a running gag of it and post this news each year at the same time. A group therapy until someone starts working on it 🙂 🙂
Yeah, sorry for the mantra, seems I’m getting old… hope you can forgive me Igor 🙂
Hi Robert – good to hear! I though already i am in “Inception” movie 🙂
Then it would be over in 148 minutes, this problem lasts longer… hopefully 😀
This is actually a different post. The first post a year ago was for blendedboxmap, that is meant to replace instantUV. This post is about using a similar technique to add specific painted details to your surface, not to apply a generic texture randomly on your object like I did in the first tutorial.
And I agree, it’s a shame that cameraGemini isn’t yet updated for max 2013, I am in contact with the author and hopefully something can be worked out soon.
I’m also in contact with the author, and as soon as he can send me the code, I will try and get a 2013 version posted.
Sorry Neil, you are right – I’ve opened your site for a second and it looked similar to the projection tutorial from the past, my mistake.
As soon as Marcus is not updating the tool it means he is either very busy, or the tool is full of interface text fields. It is a lot of stupid damn work to migrate it all to the new Max UNICODE architecture: i can understand why there is no motivation to invest more life-time in a freeware tool.
Dave, ya, he mentioned he may talk to you. Glad the plan is moving forward, your recompiles help the community so much.
Igor, it’s all good. Maybe you’ll find the new tut interesting, it’s not the best way to texture always, but has plenty of uses with large scenes.
Is there any way to collapse it all down or bake out the texture using the cameraGemini method?
I’ve never tried it, but I assume you can use “Render To Texture” to bake the results.
Markus has recompiled CameraMapGemini for Max 2013, head over to his site to get it:
http://www.projectgemini.net/CameraMapGemini/
Hi guys,
2013 version is now available online. Please let me know if you find any bugs.
http://www.projectgemini.net/CameraMapGemini/
Enjoy!
Markus
P.S.: Igor, it wasn’t because I was busy but I am currently dealing with some crazy health issues that prevent me from going full-force. 🙂
yay!
yess! Thanks Markus, i was already thinking you have accepted again some TD Job in NewYork and vanished from the scene 🙂 wish you get better (with your health)
thanks
I wish Igy ! 🙂
But thank you !
Thanks Markus!
Here is something related to the projection idea: http://www.mankua.com/powerstamper.php