How do I fix this UV?

[Anonymous]

Hello, I am having trouble with creating a UV of a building I created in Sketchup and imported into 3ds Max 2018. It is my first UV so it looks like crap honestly but I am pretty sure it is not supposed to look like it does below. Some lines are somehow missing from some of the objects and thus they're black. 

I also cant find out for the life of me how to turn it into a normal in Photoshop after I hopefully fix it.

For some reason these pics don't show up as they should, but the first one should be easily placed in PS if one has to so you can see.

Any help is appreciated, 

Easton

[PROH]

Hi. Here's a link to the help files regarding SketchUp import:

http://help.autodesk.com/view/3DSMAX/2018/ENU/?guid=GUID-AD50EB5B-A535-431B-8066-E2F4836E42D3

The help files does actually contain a large amount of useful knowledge, and I can highly recommend to search here before using Google. Press F1 and it opens.

I can see you got your hands full regarding learning software, but if the target is game design and ArchViz you might find Max being your best friend 🙂

I know SketchUp has some cool features, and feels easy to start with, just as AutoCAD has its strength. I use them both myself. But when it comes to collaboration between programs and dealing with all sorts of input, I haven't yet found any tool like Max. It has a steep learning curve, but it's worth it.

After telling what you're after, I understand your "route", but I think you could make most of your UVW's in an easier way than using unwrap - unless it's absolutely needed to get the UVW layout into PhotoShop. I haven't used unwrap much, and doesn't often make hand painted textures, so I might be wrong. I just have seen so many beginners trying to use unwrap where a simple UVW map modifier could the job equally good in seconds.

You got an exiting journey ahead. Keep it up 🙂

[Anonymous]

Hi Alfred,

I used the STL check and it said I have 99 errors all from open edges. What exactly does this mean?

I also welded the vertices and got the same end result as you so that is good

When you say 5+ sided polygons do you mean like this:

Right around the small door?

So how exactly can I fix those lines? I have no idea how to cut or subdivide them to fix them.

Then I presume my model would look similar to what PROH did with that doghouse where it looked uniform?

Thanks

[PROH]

Hi. Forgot to mention the STL checker, but that's a great tool to find errors as well as xView.

- Yes, the poly around the door is an example of a 5+ poly.

- When working with mesh, you can make invisible edges visible (not only in the viewport) by activating the edge sub-object mode -> scroll down to the bottom of the roll out -> select an edge and press "visible" (or invible). When exporting to OBJ it's a good idea to make all edges visible (select all by ctrl+A). That should stop deformation during export/import.

- Open edges is edges that belongs to 1 face only. If you i.e. make a box and delete one side, you'l get at least 4 open edges.

Hope it helps

[Anonymous]

Ok thank you.

So how then do you "cut and subdivide" the edges like when you cleaned them
up around that dog house?

[PROH]

I didn't cut or subdivide anything in the doghouse. I deleted some faces/polygons and turned some edges, and separated the model in two parts.

If you need to cut, then you find the cut tool in the subobject rollout. And with an Editable Poly modifier you'll have more cut and subdividing tools.

Hope it helps

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @Anonymous,

Max does have support for SKP but it's a bit spotty since the program was sold by Google.  You can try to use File->Import and select the SKP.   It may not be viable in newer versions of Sketchup, just a warning.  

This building is pretty simple and has a lot of rectangular parts, you could rebuild it quickly and easily using snapping and the basic box model.  Max does have the ability to model off of a phone (sort of) using the perspective match tools, but they aren't quite as robust as the one in Sketchup from what I've seen.  There is a tool for sketchup (free) called CleanUp3 which can help clean up models before exporting.  It helped me a lot in the past.  

The big issue is that Sketchup will allow two faces to overlap.  (Maya does this too.)  Max doesn't particularly like that and uses materials to give an object 2 sides rather than doubling up on faces.  

I have provided a link here that might provide the extra functionality you are looking for. Please note however, this is not an Autodesk product or endorsement. You should take all precautions whenever you elect to download/install/utilize any application and do so at your own risk.

Please review the developer’s documentation and disclaimers before proceeding to utilize their product(s) .

Best Regards,

[PROH]

Hi. Problems regarding SkethUp files being a newer version than Max supports, can usually be overcome by saving the SKP back to an older version (save a copy).

Hope it helps

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

I was tempted to suggest it but I've had too many cases in the past year and half where that didn't work so I was a bit timid to do so.  Maybe having to do with new types of groups or assemblies, I'm not sure.  It's worth a shot regardless.  My understanding is the file format was open when Google owned it and is now not open.  I am unable to confirm that however. 

Best Regards,

[Alfred.DeFlaminis]

Hello @Anonymous,

I just wanted to follow up here, any progress on this issue?

Best Regards,