Refar
Deity
- Joined
- Apr 10, 2005
- Messages
- 4,608
Requested here to help convert lots of good, free models in the Google 3dwarehouse to Civ4.
This should cover the proces to collect the textures from a multi-mesh, multi-texture model (i.e. Sketchup Buildings available at Google 3D) into something useable in the game.
Some pre an postwork for polygon reduction is covered as well.
The basic idea is:
We have our multiple imported textures on the imported model, making it look good (hepefully). They use UVW channel 1. We can not however export Submaterial to the game.
We will weld the model into a single mesh
We will apply a second UVW channel 2, that will be suited for a single texture.
We will use the Render to Texture function to "copy" the texture from channel 1 to channel 2.
Then we just swap the original multi-material for our new texture.
The whole surgery takes about 30 minutes on a well suited model. More on complicated models that need the polycount reduced or even beeing remodeled.
Overall the method of texture baking is a way to take out geometry detail and put it into texture. Download high poly reference model. Use it to bake textures. Make a low poly model and apply the textures to it.
If there is serious demand for it, i would make another tutorial on modeling a low poly model from high poly reference/render to texture source.
I tried to keep it as basic as possible, including pictures for the most tools and controls used. Still it is recomended to do one or two general (beginners) modeling tutorials to get accomodated with 3DsMax.
On a side note - i know Blender has a texture baking function, so this should be possible with Blender as well. I would be interested in more insight - if some of the "Blender People" is familiar with that function.
Database Link
This should cover the proces to collect the textures from a multi-mesh, multi-texture model (i.e. Sketchup Buildings available at Google 3D) into something useable in the game.
Some pre an postwork for polygon reduction is covered as well.
The basic idea is:
We have our multiple imported textures on the imported model, making it look good (hepefully). They use UVW channel 1. We can not however export Submaterial to the game.
We will weld the model into a single mesh
We will apply a second UVW channel 2, that will be suited for a single texture.
We will use the Render to Texture function to "copy" the texture from channel 1 to channel 2.
Then we just swap the original multi-material for our new texture.
The whole surgery takes about 30 minutes on a well suited model. More on complicated models that need the polycount reduced or even beeing remodeled.
Overall the method of texture baking is a way to take out geometry detail and put it into texture. Download high poly reference model. Use it to bake textures. Make a low poly model and apply the textures to it.
If there is serious demand for it, i would make another tutorial on modeling a low poly model from high poly reference/render to texture source.
I tried to keep it as basic as possible, including pictures for the most tools and controls used. Still it is recomended to do one or two general (beginners) modeling tutorials to get accomodated with 3DsMax.
On a side note - i know Blender has a texture baking function, so this should be possible with Blender as well. I would be interested in more insight - if some of the "Blender People" is familiar with that function.
Database Link
I see.. I'm assuming that I'm supposed to follow the link and download what I'm guessing is the appropriate tutorial then?
