#mesh modding

[lethaloptix]

Semi OC drop… thingy.

Sometimes I forget how much work went into this and then I look at old comparisons like this.

I really like this side by side because it shows the amount of mesh modding and texture editing that went into cleaning up the base model's defective right eye. This was not a quick fix. It took a lot of trial, error, and patience.

For clarity, the image on the left is Stefano Valentini, the original base model. The image on the right is Sunder, an OC I created using that model as a starting point.

Just like some roleplayers use celebrity face claims or AI these days, I chose to work with existing video game models and transform them through mesh mods and texture edits to build original characters. I do not own the models, as these are purely transformative and recreational works, but I do own the stories, and over time Sunder and others have developed deep backstories and a lot of personal meaning for me.

If you saw the OC post I shared back in October on @sadisticlens, that shows the current version of him. This image is a bit outdated, but it still highlights the contrast and all the work that went into transforming the base model.

[ottemis]

Hello again Otte; I'm unsure if you're able to help me in this area but I thought I'd give it a go. I'm attempting to replace the AIU with EDI's default body & head, the head and body were able to merge, along with the needed bones taken from the AIU. My only issue now seems to be textures, I have no clue how to work this to map the visor separate, let alone have the scalp, eye, face, and body all on one canvas. Any advice would be appreciated.

I’m half guessing here as I have the original AIU textures but i don’t see a visor mapped to it and don’t really have time to go in and check. I assume the visor is mapped on a separate texture so you’ll need your face+body on one ID and the visor on another.

When you merge meshes via editable poly attach, you can pick what you want to do with the materials, honestly i don’t think it really matters which one you pick here for the purpose of a re-wrap on one texture (I usually just go with the middle option). After merge you’ll want to eliminate all extra sub-materials in the material editor (double click the material in View1 and check under Multi/Sub-Object Basic Parameters, delete anything above 1) and re-wrap all UV elements onto the same surface. Make sure the UV editor only lists one ID, it should have all wrap objects piled on top of each-other.Depending on which way round you prefer, you can either create the new diffuse first by combining textures for face and body in Photoshop by hand (try and limit non-utilized space) and later align your UV elements to it in 3DS or you can reposition UV per element via the UNWrap UV modifier in 3DS first and later align the face/body parts ontop of the UV map in Photoshop. You can save the new UV map as a PNG so you can see where the wraps ends etc under Tools - Render UVW Template, select desired size and hit Render. You can save the rendered image as a PNG after and open it in Photoshop to map all the texture elements onto it.

I’d add the visor last. If it’s a sheet attached to the original mesh I’d use that one and reshape it to fit with the new head. There should be a mask somewhere separate in the files that determines the illuminated lines, if I’m correct.

[ottemis]

Thanks for the colour feedback so far guys, got a nice idea of what people want =) Keep it coming for those who want to throw in an idea, the more overlap the more likely I'll do a combination. Here's the current state render, off to bed now. More pants mayhem awaits tomorrow!

[ottemis]

Soo, I'm working on a thing and i need some input.

This is a new casual outfit replacer for the 4th casual (intro outfit). It's not completely done, I'm still retexturing it atm. I plan to release it in these colours and several other combo's yet to be decided on. If any of you have a preference let me know and I'll take it into consideration, so!

Which colour combo would you guys like?

[ottemis]

and wht if I import something with femsheps neck? caan I still import this neck then?

I would say no but I can't really advise you on what to do exactly. Half of this comes down to experimenting and seeing what looks best.

[ottemis]

how can I add texture to and object in max? I want to make hairstyle but it was with full model and when I used your tutorial and was about to choose hair texture there was no option for that.

You want to preserve the material assignment for the hair, or whichever part of that mesh includes the hair. When you select your mesh and go into the material editor (M), you should be able to select it under scene materials down the bottom on the left. Doubleclicking materials brings them into view1.If you want to change the texture wrap, for instance because you want to use a different hair texture or have altered or cropped the original texture, you can use the "Unwrap UVW" modifier in the dropdown. Under edit UV's open the UV Editor, a screen pops up that shows you all the wrapped elements on checkerboard. Go and select your texture via the dropdown in the upper right corner. Now down the bottom click the red square (Polygon) and the button right of it (Select by element UV Toggle). When you now click on any of the wrap elements it will highlight them on the mesh. Any you don't need you can delete, the ones for the hair you can move around in the UV editor using the freeform gizmo. Grabbing the center drags, grabbing a corner scales (shift makes it easier to scale in one direction, control preserves proportions)  and grabbing a side rotates.

[ottemis]

can I import mesh (clothing) with neck or do I have to cut it?

It has to fit perfectly on the ME3 head so yes, you have to cut it.You can use the neck off one of the femshep outfits to make sure you have no visible seams on the neck with the head. Import it and delete everything but the top bit then make that fit with your new outfit. don't touch the upper vertex positions and to be sure you can always import the default head in to check the seams.

[ottemis]

it's from other game and femshep stays way different and after removing her body those bones are in air. i assume it can't be like that? thing is, no one in game stands similar (her arms are in the back a little and at different angle)

When you import a mesh you’ll import both the mesh and the bones. When you select a mesh, you only delete the mesh and leave the bones, when you drag-select the mesh and the bones you can delete both. To delete the bones only, you can move the mesh x00 on one of the axis, then drag-select the bones, delete them, move the mesh back afterwards.Afaik, if the stance is different you’ll have to rotate / move the limbs to fit with the me3 meshes and bones stance. That’s trial and error, you can rotate bones in 3ds which will move the parts of the mesh weighted to that bone with it. If you don’t align your mesh it will not animate correctly ingame.