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Creating custom textures...what software is best

Geminii23Geminii23 Posts: 1,328
in The Commons

Hi,

So I am getting really tired of trying to use photoshop to texture clothing items.  Granted sometimes it is fast and effeftive enough, but as you can see in this example...sometimes it is a nightmare.

I would really like to know if there is a simpler way to create custom textures, especially dealing with textures that cross seams.  In this example, using Smay's Superhero Suit, the seams are clearly a problem.  If you look at the closeup shot, you will see that the texture doesn't line up properly.

Thanks

Mysterio Test.jpg
2160 x 1728 - 506K
Mysterio Test Closeup.jpg
2160 x 1728 - 1M

Comments

  • DrNewcensteinDrNewcenstein Posts: 816

    If content creators took the time to annotate their textures with a seam guide as an added layer in a format that could be read by Photoslop and Paint Shop Pro, this type of thing wouldn't be as much of a problem.

  • kyoto kidkyoto kid Posts: 41,861

    ...or Gimp.

  • DustRiderDustRider Posts: 2,880

    A few software applications come to mind, depending on what you want/need. For free there is Blender, it has good paint 3D paint utilities that can paint across seams. Next would be Blacksmith 3D, it's not too expensive and has great 3D paint capabilities. The next level would be 3D Coat, Mud Box, and zBrush (never really used them). I have Blacksmith 3D (available at Renderosity), and it does a good job, is pretty easy to learn, won't break the bank, and is designed to work with Poser/DAZ content (there is a demo version available). There are probably several others that I haven't mentioned as well.

  • joseftjoseft Posts: 310
    edited February 2018

    It wouldnt suprise me if the lack of forementioned seam guides is not due to creators not wanting to do so. It might be a Daz thing, because texture packs sold seperately from the item itself is revenue. If anyone can texture anything themselves easily using such guides, there would not be as much sales on texture packs

    that may not be the case, i dont know, but i know there are restrictions on what goes in the store based on similar principles

    you can still do what you want without such seam guides though, with the right software. 3DCoat for example

    Post edited by joseft on
  • Geminii23Geminii23 Posts: 1,328
    edited February 2018
    DustRider said:

    A few software applications come to mind, depending on what you want/need. For free there is Blender, it has good paint 3D paint utilities that can paint across seams. Next would be Blacksmith 3D, it's not too expensive and has great 3D paint capabilities. The next level would be 3D Coat, Mud Box, and zBrush (never really used them). I have Blacksmith 3D (available at Renderosity), and it does a good job, is pretty easy to learn, won't break the bank, and is designed to work with Poser/DAZ content (there is a demo version available). There are probably several others that I haven't mentioned as well.

    Thanks.  I actually downloaded Blacksmith 3D (trial version for MAC) and I can't get anything to even open in it.  I tried opening DAZ scene file with the character and a .duf scene subset and I just get the spinning ball of death.

    Assuming I can get Blacksmith to work, do you know how hard it would be to fix the texture issue I am having on the leg seams of the suit?

    Post edited by Geminii23 on
  • DustRiderDustRider Posts: 2,880

    Sorry I'm so slow, I wanted to make sure I had things "right" before responding.

    First, yes, you should be able to make the texture seamless. I'm not sure how you are texturing (brushes??) but texturing accrss seams is easy with BlackSmith 3D (BS3D). It can use the older format PS brush files (IIRC you need to convert them to png first, it's been a while since I've done it).

    The best approch would be to save your suit as a Figure/Prop Asset (Go to File > Save As > Support Asset > Figure/Prop Assets), then use that .duf file to import into BS3D. As I recall, a scene file won't import, but a figure/prop will as will a character preset and wearable preset. Just make sure you saved it with subd level at zero. If you still have problems opening the file, you can export to .obj, then import that into BS3D.

    Also, the tutorials help a lot to get up to speed: https://www.youtube.com/user/blacksmith3D

  • Geminii23Geminii23 Posts: 1,328
    DustRider said:

    Sorry I'm so slow, I wanted to make sure I had things "right" before responding.

    First, yes, you should be able to make the texture seamless. I'm not sure how you are texturing (brushes??) but texturing accrss seams is easy with BlackSmith 3D (BS3D). It can use the older format PS brush files (IIRC you need to convert them to png first, it's been a while since I've done it).

    The best approch would be to save your suit as a Figure/Prop Asset (Go to File > Save As > Support Asset > Figure/Prop Assets), then use that .duf file to import into BS3D. As I recall, a scene file won't import, but a figure/prop will as will a character preset and wearable preset. Just make sure you saved it with subd level at zero. If you still have problems opening the file, you can export to .obj, then import that into BS3D.

    Also, the tutorials help a lot to get up to speed: https://www.youtube.com/user/blacksmith3D

    I have usually just been doing textures in photoshop, and the problem is that all the pieces are flat in the file and not aligned.  So lots of trial and erro.   Thanks for the info on exporting.  I will give this a try and see if I can open in BS3D again.  

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