BLENDER & SUBSTANCE PAINTER: TOOL CHEST (SMART UV PROJECT VS. MANUAL UNWRAP)

Not exactly a tutorial but an experiment to compare SMART UV PROJECT and MANUAL UV UNWRAPPING of the tool chest modeled in a previous video. I am not particularly good at UV unwrapping so it's not that surprising that Smart UV Project might do a better job than I do ;).

Seriously though, in this video I compare the UV maps generated by Smart UV Project and by manual unwrapping based on seams I have placed. I look at stretching of the UV's and export UV tiles (UDIM method) for the top and bottom of the tool chest. In Substance Painter, I run through some of the texturing that I intend to do for the final tool chest and examine the textures for both unwrapping methods.

I am not advocating for Smart UV Project, necessarily. Certainly, there are occasions where it is NOT the best solution. And on the other hand, it definitely might be perfectly fine. I have seen projects that relied solely on Smart UV Project and they came out fantastic. I've also seen disasters from using it. So it is going to depend upon your model and use.

In the next video, I will discuss more of my unwrapping methods and seam placement and do more comparison of Smart UV Project (or Cube project) vs. Manual Unwrapping on the rest of the tool chest. In the end, I will texture the entire tool chest and add stickers and damage.

Thanks for watching!

ZEROBIO DISCORD

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Watch all my videos in the BLENDER CHALLENGE:TOOLS series

#blenderbeginner #blendermodeling #blendertutorial

[You.tube-User-]

You really helped me, or even saved. I was stuck on my project and then found this. My model also kinda cubical with mostly same bevels, which makes it more helpful especially for me.

[grfxsmith]

I really enjoy your experimental process, and might as well gain back the ability to work on Substance painter since I don't touch it for so long. Much appreciated it! Huge thanks!👍

[fredmilk]

Thanks, exactly what i was looking for.

[mxjokereh]

Thanks uncle, exactly what I was looking for

[reformedrabbi]

Thanks for this . Learning much from u

[makkisalah]

God bless you my brother. Thank you very much

[LindaMcAllister]

Good experiment, and good explanation :) I was wondering if you ever tried Substance Painter auto unwrap?

[qikaihua]

Thanks, nice comparison tutorial. A quick question: I see you using some Boolean modifiers to cut holes and rectangles in the modeling part, so it generated ngons. Are ngons acceptable in hard surfaces?

[almas]

I have a problem - When I try smart uv unwrapping, and then export my model into substance and try to bake maps - it leaves me with some messy square-shaped seams all over the model.