What do you think is the best UV mapping software ?

derei · 26 Feb 2012, 20:25

Hello, I'm trying to stick on a good UV mapping software to use it with SketchUp.

For now I tried RoadKill, Headus UVLayout(demo) and LithUnwrap (I couldn't do anything with last one).
I used RoadKill for simple meshes as it's fast and simple, nothing fancy. But I'm not impressed as often it makes distorted mapping. UVLayout impressed me, mostly with its Optimization feature... but it's kind of tangled.

I'm thinking...if any of you used any other UV Mapping software and are willing to give some feedback...

Also, I made this pool, maybe it will give a better image in time.
The links for what is in the pool are here:
RoadKill
Headus UVLayout
Ultimate Unwrap 3D
UVMapper
Unfold 3D
LithUnwrap
AC3D
Wings3D

...if there are more UV Software that you are using and are not in this list, please let me know (or the admins) to add them.

Thank you.

Krisidious · 26 Feb 2012, 20:37

I use AC3D and 3D Max for UV mapping.

AC3D has some nice plugins and easy to use interface but costs $90

3D max 2012 will automatically make a map such as this.
with the "render to texture" and a few settings.

Khai · 26 Feb 2012, 20:39

add in Wings3D... it has solid UVmapping tools.

personally I use UVmapper and UVlayout (the "demo" will still do basic unwrapping operations and save the OBJ)

derei · 27 Feb 2012, 16:36

%(#BF0000)[So many views and only two votes? Hmm... I was hoping that people around here is using UV mapping more often. At least I seen a lot of UV topics here... this confuses me ]

Alan Fraser · 28 Feb 2012, 10:58

I've found that UU3D works extremely well with Whaat's UV Tools plugin...using an obj proxy file. It's pretty much like having a mapping module within SU. UU3D also comes with a staggering number of import and export options, which makes up for SU's rather limited set.

Rich O Brien · 28 Feb 2012, 11:03

@unknownuser said:

I've found that UU3D works extremely well

I never really got to grips with it. I would love to see a workflow from SU to UU3D as the tutorials out there are sparse.

The fact that it natively imports .skp means you shouldn't need UV Tools...or I'm missing the point?

jason_maranto · 28 Feb 2012, 11:31

I'll decline to comment on external apps since I am still hopeful SketchUp Pro 9 will arrive (soon) with proper UV layout tools.

Best,
Jason.

Rich O Brien · 28 Feb 2012, 11:33

I hope your wish comes true. But I imagine mapping isn't on the immediate roadmap.

jason_maranto · 28 Feb 2012, 11:37

I fear you may be right , but IMO Layout will never be all it could be until UV mapping is a feature built-in as part of the SketchUp Pro suite.

Removing an object from SketchUp to bring it back into SketchUp is not a workflow Google should be encouraging.

Best,
Jason.

Gaieus · 28 Feb 2012, 11:39

Well, maybe not on the immediate roadmap but at least they admit that there could be much development in this area so hopefully at least they start contemplating.

I think that for a beginning step, they should at least change how some UV mapping data is stored (especially with distorted materials) since there are serious issues with exported models where images "explode" into zillions of small pieces.

Tomasz could fix this with his Thea exporter. The Twilight folks could fix it for Twilight. I think (never used) Al could fix it for iRender. All small companies...

Alan Fraser · 28 Feb 2012, 13:06

I agree. I think they'll need to completely rewrite the whole mapping system before SU has anything that's approaching professional level. As Gai points out, you map something like a sphere and it outputs with a separate image for each facet...not good.
In answer to Rich; that's the reason I still tend to use the obj proxy with UU3D...because it triangulates the faces on export. My workflow requires that I end up with a model in at least 5 different formats, including 3ds. Without the triangulation the mapping is usually totally wrecked (also, only then does it reliably output a single image when distorted textures are used). I can't use SDS, because even 1 iteration divides into 8 not 2 triangles.

genma saotome · 1 Mar 2012, 05:21

@alan fraser said:

I think they'll need to completely rewrite the whole mapping system before SU has anything that's approaching professional level.

I can't imagine Google would fund something like that. Frankly, I regard EVERY release of SU as an act of charity by Google... I just cannot see how it fits anymore into any aspect of the company in any meaningful way -- street view changed everything.

All that said, let me add how grateful I am for these many acts of charity -- they are appreciated and for as long as they continue, one can hope for better UV features.

Gaieus · 1 Mar 2012, 05:26

I am not sure. LayOut for instance (although they had already worked on something pre-Google) was eventually released by the team when it was already Googlified and they have been regularly and intensively updating it ever since.

Also, a lot of things have been added to SketchUp itself even though they have nothing to o with GE and stuff. Sketchy styles, dynamic components, camera tools etc. True that many of these are now "pro only" features.

derei · 2 Mar 2012, 21:56

@gaieus said:

True that many of these are now "pro only" features.

Let's hope that if better UV mapping will be implemented into SketchUp, will be somehow available in free version too, otherwise, exchanging models between pro and free might be strange...

Rich O Brien · 2 Mar 2012, 21:58

@unknownuser said:

exchanging models between pro and free might be strange...

How?

Alan Fraser · 2 Mar 2012, 22:12

Things should be ok between Pro and Free versions in such circumstances. After all, SU will import properly mapped 3ds files etc...it just can't map such meshes itself. Rather like the Free version being able to utilise Dynamic Components without being able to author them.

jason_maranto · 2 Mar 2012, 22:14

@alan fraser said:

Things should be ok between Pro and Free versions in such circumstances. After all, SU will import properly mapped 3ds files etc...it just can't map such meshes itself. Rather like the Free version being able to utilise Dynamic Components without being able to author them.

Agree %100 -- and I hope the Sketchup dev team sees it the same way.

Best,
Jason.

mwm5053 · 3 Mar 2012, 01:31

Now that I've got into organic modeling after using Artisan for a week or two I feel like I'm learning SU all over again and this UV mapping thing is driving me nuts I have tried UV Toolkit 2 and UV Projection plugins but seems to beyond my comprehension at this point would really like to see some tutorials as this texture thing seems like a force to reckoned with. My self taught architectural visualization would like a hand as I didn't even finish High School but really like to model and render better than any first person shooter game out there.

jason_maranto · 3 Mar 2012, 10:52

Unwrapping/flattening UVs for a complex shape allows you to decide what parts of the 2D texture image will be placed where in the final 3D... after all you need a 2D representation of the geometry to match the 2D texture to -- if done well there should be a very clean/low distortion wrap of the 2D texture image around the 3D object afterward.

The current implementation of UVs in SketchUp does not allow for us to work in this rather straightforward concept -- a number of workarounds have been created to help in the form of Ruby plugins... but if you really want to have full control over texturing complex organic shapes, right now you really need to exit SketchUp and use one of the packages listed in the poll above (or similar).

FWIW, I also did not finish High School (although I did get my GED when I turned 16) -- self taught is not necessarily a bad thing as it shows willpower and native intelligence... I personally do not see it as a limit since I know many people with higher degrees who never use them professionally.

Best,
Jason.

Whaat · 3 Mar 2012, 23:19

UU3D is a good app and is a pretty good price. It has tons of features and works well with the UVTools plugin. Take the time to learn it and you won't regret it.