Okay, when i first got into modeling i used simple textures, i sort of assigned them to objects individually, then i started to take a look at UVs and i managed to do a few things, a bit sloppy though, i then decided it was time for me to move on and make better UV maps, i have been wondering how on earth do you guys do it?

Okay firstly, how would i go about the order? would it be, do the texture then the UV map?
Secondly, how do you make it so that your UV map actually looks like the model just unfolded, i mean its just confusing squares all over the place but i want my uv map to be like for example the right shapes and stuff with out the texture looking funny, for example rather than a whole net of weird out of shape squares there will be some sort of resemblence (sp?) to the shape of the model, look at the ep3 troopers head for example,

also after i have made my UV map how would i be able to export it as an image that i can easily add changes or a texture to?

Thanks in Advance

EDIT:

A good UV (what i want to make)

A Bad UV (All i can make!)


thanks

You can achieve this by making cuts(disconnect edges) on your model where you want the geometry to unfold and flatten.
Make your model first, then select edges and cluster them, then when you're done select those clusters in an explorer and disconnect them.
You can then assign your model a texture projection such as the Unique UVs PolyMesh projection which works off of the clusters(cuts/disconnected edges) that you previously defined and you can make adjustments to it in the PPG and TE to get it somewhat how you want it, but I haven't been able to get a perfect UV map with XSI's unwrapper, it always seems to need extensive adjustments.

I would recommend using Roadkill, Roadkill is a UV unwrapper heavily based on the unwrapper used in Blender which is one of the best free unwrappers in my opinion.
Roadkill will create a near perfect UV map in just one click, assuming you already made your cuts or selected your edges, you can do this before applying the Roadkill projection or after while inside Roadkill, but it's much easier to do it in XSI before applying the Roadkill projection in my opinion.

You can get the Roadkill stand alone app from HERE.

You can get a plugin for XSI that allows you to use Roadkill interactively from HERE, you will need Python installed to use this plugin.

Here's an example of Roadkill's ability to unwrap with 1 click

Ace' thanks a lot but one thing i cant get the stand alone program for xsi its only for maya? can you give me an exact link or something please my friend?

Thanks

I think they should maybe add this to the tut's... It's great, usefull, and it's sooo much quicker. Thanks Ace

Ace, i installed it and what ever and i have installed python and put the other plug in in the app/plugin folder but its still not under model>properties>texture projection

what should i do?

Not sure, it's been a few months since I installed it, read the installation instructions on the sites linked to in my first post.

EDIT
What version of Python did you install?
You have not only to install Python (http://www.python.org), but also the pywin32 extensions.

I just downloaded and use ActivePython-2.5.0.0-win32-x86.msi , it contains everything in one nice neat download and install, you can get it from HERE.

I have the Roadkill plugin installed in:
C:\users\somename\Softimage\XSI_5.11_Foundation\Application\Plugins

When you start up XSI you should find the Roadkill projection in the:
Get>Property>texture projection menu at the bottom

Thank You, this was exactly the thread i was looking for!

Thanks Ace' thats perfect now just need to make some good clusters!

No wonder your a Moderator!

Thanks, yeah I think you'll find that the hardest part of the whole process is deciding where to make your cuts on the model.

Naturally you'll want to make the cuts in areas where the texture will blend in nicely or areas that aren't really gonna be seen anyway just incase the texture doesn't quite line up.

For the example I posted above I cut the back of the head starting at the bottom of the neck and cut all the way up the middle to the forehead and then cut 4 edges going left and 4 going right and then I cut the ears completely off of the head so it would unfold neatly in Roadkill.

You'll find that each of your models may need a whole different series of cuts to make it flatten out correctly, it's all trial and error, do whatever is best for your model to make it unwrap correctly.

After you Roadkill your model you can then weld all of the edges back together again, the cuts are only for unfolding purposes in Roadkill.

Well Thanks ace but i got that sort of idea as i have watched the tuts on VAST and i know you have, you provided the link... (i think :S)

I am at the moment not making a character i am making a few props vehicles and weapons, just want them to look more professional.

Thanks again Ace' and if you have anymore ideas please say so, your the best.

I downloaded and installed both programs and the option shows up where it should in XSI but when ever I try to use it I get an OLE error. Question I have is do you have just the shipped obj importer/exporter or do you have the "fixed" addon as well in XSI.
From experiments if I export using the shipped one and open it in Roadkill I get something if I use the fixed one nothing appears in Roadkill. That is why i am wondering which versions of obj you have in XSI.

There is a conflict with wavefrontconvwin32v32.xsiaddon that you can get from Netview, uninstalling this addon then restarting XSI will fix the problem, apparently they use the same/similar commands.

I was having that same problem, reinstalled the plugin, and now it works like a charm!

t551
Which did you reinstall the obj importer/exporter or Roadkill?

I guess since I already tried reinstalling roadkill I should do the obj addon.

I just deleted the roadkillplugin.py from the applications folder, started XSI, closed XSI, replaced the script, and started XSI back up.

Sorry to bump this topic but how do you re-connect clusters? i have finished my uv and texture.

Thanks

Just click on the Clusters button located right above the Transform menu and it will roll out a window that list all of the clusters, then just select the Edge clusters and go to Model>Modify-Poly.Mesh>Weld Boundary Points/Edges.

Can someone please give me a direct link to the download of the Roadkill stand-alone application? I've searched like madman and I can't find it anywhere. The plugin does not work for me, so my only hope is the program itself...

And - Sorry for the bump, but I didn't feel like creating a new topic.

You still need the standalone Roadkill app to use the plugin, the plugin just sends information back and forth to the Roadkill app so you can use it interactively, i'm not sure if the plugin works with Mod Tool though.
There's a link in the second post of this topic as well as a link in the Free XSI Software / Tutorial links thread sticky, take your pick.
Always check the sticky thread first when in doubt.

I was requesting the direct link to the download itself. When I click the link in the Tutorial topic. There, I click the link in the XSI section, then I come to this site. There, I search for the Roadkill tool in their search box, and I come to this page. I click on the link in the "Andy Swann's Roadkill application can be downloaded here" sentence, and I am directed to Pullin Shapes - the site I clicked in the first place! This continues in a circle and it drives me crazy.

If it doesn't work with the mod tool... Diet Dr. Pepper, then I am doomed.