Post by Mark B on May 17, 2016 14:18:25 GMT
I work at a rapid prototyping company and we recently got a full color 3D printer that can print color patterns, gradients and blends from WRL files with UV maps. I have used Photoshop CC to import files (OBJ, STL, WRL) and used Photoshop's limited 3D functionality to generate a UV map. Photoshop only offers you 2 choices of UV map generation: fewer seams, or less distortion. The UV maps it generates don't appear to have any overlap, but other than that they can be quite a mess. It's a complete gamble. I have been trying to find a UV mapping program that can take parts from a CAD program (SolidWorks, Proe-Creo) and develop a workable UV map.
I am completely new to UV mapping my only experience with polygon modelling is mainly exporting parts in STL format from CAD programs.
I have tried the Unwrap 3D (Demo version, both CAD and CGI version) program but haven't been able to get past importing a file. My first problem is SolidWorks does not reliably export OBJ files. I have only gotten their "Scan to 3D" export to OBJ function to work one time. So I have been saving a STEP file to Proe (Creo) and then saving the part out in OBJ format. When I open the OBJ file in Unfold 3D it comes in with Seams (Borders?). My test part, which is a pipe from a manifold, comes in as 22 separate islands. I would like to weld these islands together and create my own seams but when I select them Unfold 3D will not weld them. How do I eliminate all these seams.
Some other programs bring the parts in as a single shell (3D Coat, UV Layout) and I can split it they way I want to. But they have other limitations. UV Layout creates a UV Map with overlap that it's optimization can't figure out how to get rid of and 3D Coat does not have tools for me to optimize the UV map it creates.
My best success has been to use 3D Coat to separate the part like I want and then bring it into Unfold 3D to tweak. I would prefer to use just one UV program.
Any thoughts out there for a novice?
I am completely new to UV mapping my only experience with polygon modelling is mainly exporting parts in STL format from CAD programs.
I have tried the Unwrap 3D (Demo version, both CAD and CGI version) program but haven't been able to get past importing a file. My first problem is SolidWorks does not reliably export OBJ files. I have only gotten their "Scan to 3D" export to OBJ function to work one time. So I have been saving a STEP file to Proe (Creo) and then saving the part out in OBJ format. When I open the OBJ file in Unfold 3D it comes in with Seams (Borders?). My test part, which is a pipe from a manifold, comes in as 22 separate islands. I would like to weld these islands together and create my own seams but when I select them Unfold 3D will not weld them. How do I eliminate all these seams.
Some other programs bring the parts in as a single shell (3D Coat, UV Layout) and I can split it they way I want to. But they have other limitations. UV Layout creates a UV Map with overlap that it's optimization can't figure out how to get rid of and 3D Coat does not have tools for me to optimize the UV map it creates.
My best success has been to use 3D Coat to separate the part like I want and then bring it into Unfold 3D to tweak. I would prefer to use just one UV program.
Any thoughts out there for a novice?
