mapping/skinning an object

Hello again.

I'm still getting used to 3DS MAX, so I'm finding new hurdles to overcome all the time. The one I am currently dealing with, is adding/mapping texture to a shape (in this case a box).




If you look in the ball rack, there is a blue box with a set of pool balls in it. How would I be able to transfer the box surface into 2D, so I can make a skin for it in PSP/photoshop, then save and import it back into 3DS MAX.

the following is an example of what I mean:




That's just an example I made on the spot, it wouldn't match the dimensions of the box. How could I extract a map with the exact dimensions, then skin it, then import it back?

Thanks.

hello Colin.Alcars

the problem you are talking its not so big deal you just need a plug-in called (Textporter) which is available for free. you can find this lovely plug-in by serching google.com so do it and i hope you will find your slousion.







Regards!

I think I already have that, but I don't know how to use it, I'm not sure if I even installed it right.

How would I go about using it, assuming it's installed correctly?

first of all you should copy and paste correctly the plugin and then access it from (Utlilities) panel, i cant give you the deatail now coz i am not in my syste now, if you could not find it i will give you the detail in next reply.




Cheers!

I found it, but I'm not sure how to do it, when I do it, it just comes out as a blank rectangle

If you have max 8 you do not need text porter.

Are you using max 8?

yes

if you facing with kind boxy output make sure that the polygons check box is checked and then try i hope it will help you.





Regards!

I'm doing something wrong, because when I try to use it, I get this:



That really doesn't help at all.

i think the angle of your model is not matching the size that is why it dose not work.



Regards!

I have no idea what that means, or how to fix it.

if this method dose not working then you can create it in photoshop then use Unwrap UVW mapping to correct the texturing.






Regards!

I really don't know how to go about it, I mean I am absolutely clueless.

Are there any really simple tutorials that give details how to do it from A-B?

I found a tutorial about how to map and skin a knife, but I couldn't get my head round it.

A simple tutorial where it gives steps for the following:

1. Create a shape
2. Create a map of the shape
3. get the 2D map into a paint program and skin it
4. Save it and export it back into 3DS Max and put it on the shape.


I'm being given all these ideas and suggestions, I really appreciate it, but without knowing the absolute basics of how to do it, I can't do it.

If you wan to texture the box without using unwrap UVW and texporter (a bit of a confusing option if you are new) you can create a separate map for each side in photoshop (or whatever program you use) using the sizes of the object as a guide (object properties will show this),

create a separate material in the material editor (button 'M') for each side of the box, and in polygon editing mode (in the modify panel) drag each individual material onto each individual face. Not the proper way to do it by far, but you can get quite a good effect this way.

Hope this helps unless youve figured it out by now.

Michael

That would be an easier way to do it, but there are other things I want to skin as well, there are 2 cues that I want to skin, and the method you suggested wouldn't be practical.

It's frustrating, everything I have tried, it just keeps coming out as a red square.

There must be people who know how to do it on these forums, people who know the step-by-step process for doing it.