30.10.2023 – UV Mapping

Week 5 – UV Mapping in Maya

UV mapping is an essential skill when it comes to shading more complex objects. It enables you to precisely dictate where 2D textures should be placed on intricate 3D models.

When you want to add texture to complicated or multiple objects, it is necessary to build UV maps. UV maps enable you to lay out your UVs in a way that makes sense, is easy to work with, and distributes your texture properly. To get started with UV mapping in Maya, open ‘Windows > Modeling Editors > UV Editor.’ or in Modelling shelf, ‘UV > UV Editor’

To initiate the process, you need to create UVs for your object, with the exception of basic polygons like cubes and spheres. Maya provides various tools for this purpose, so you can choose the one that suits your object best. Be sure that your UVs fit within the boundaries of (X1.0)X(Y1.0).

To preserve your UV layout as an image file, you can use the UV snapshot function. Once saved, you can further edit it in software like Photoshop. This approach is particularly useful for organic models but can also be applied to simpler shapes, such as buildings.

In my professional experience, for more complex objects, I often utilized the ‘Automatic’ method. I would initially create UVs using this method, sewing everything together. Later on, I would strategically cut UVs on the 3D objects and unfold or optimize them based on the situation. Since many models I worked with were symmetrical, I would often place the seam in the center, work on only one half, delete the other side, and then duplicate and organize the UVs. This method proved efficient for organic models like human faces and hands.

---

Once you’ve completed the unwrapping process, you can seamlessly transfer the UV layout to texturing programs like Substance Painter for the next steps.