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Hello! Ive been a member of these forums for a while now, but i have been using models since Dec 09 and have always LOVED kravenwolf, GJ's, Cosmic Prophets, anayar and many others' models, theyre so detailed and good looking. I was think just how they make them look so good. So I am wondering why my models do not turn out like theirs, what Im going to do is show you what I do for model making and then if the more advanced modelers can tell me where I am going wrong... Soo...
1. Build the model in Milkshape.
2. Find different parts of textures that i need from cg textures and compile them into one .dds image on GIMP.
3. I texture my model using milkshapes built in texture mapper (the textures i do in GIMP arnt uv mapped, theyre just squares of different textures and then i scale it in milkshape....)

This isnt a moan or anything like that, i just wanted to know areas i can improve on and if theres anything Im doing wrong.

Thanks in advance, Wheatley

Hey Wheatley.

Well, what you describe there is a bit too undetailed.
How about some examples of your work?
Are you experienced with textures or fresh-meat?
What exactly looks of about your models? The mesh or the texture?



-Wolf

what do you mean by fresh meat?
And it is the textures, they dont look good and are often stretched.

Not to take away from the great advice that plenty of others could provide you with of course, I just thought perhaps you could air some of your questions here as well. Best of luck - and just to give my two cents, advice from the pro's could certainly help in a lot of ways, but in the end the best advice I think they'd all give is what I'm sure got them where they all are; namely, hard work. Just keep at it, I know it may seem like you've been doing it for a long time, but that doesn't mean you're doing something wrong, just keep trying your best. Back in December 09, I bet you weren't producing the quality of work you are now. It just takes time, and practice and hard work. You've accomplished a lot since then in my opinion.

Hey Wheatleyy,

First off, let me say that by no means are your models "bad" in any way. Also, take my advice with a pinch of salt as I am still quite a noob . Anyways, the only things I think you are doing wrong in your process of modelling is that you arent UV-Mapping your models. Personally I think if you learnt how to UV Map them and texture the UV Maps (instead of applying parts of a texture to a model with no control over how exactly it will look) your models will look much, much better.

Just youtube "UV Mapping tutorials" and you should get thousands of hits. As a matter of fact I have a UV Mapping tutorial in my Complete Milkshape to FPSC Tutorial that you might be interested in as you use Milkshape

Instead of listing all the programs in the world which you can find in other threads, Ill just list what I personally do just to give you an idea.
1. Collect References (not always)
2. Model in 3DS Max (Used to use Milkshape)
3. Depending on model complexity; UV Map in 3ds Max OR Export to UV mapper Free
4. Export UV Map
5. Texture in GIMP


I think the last step is where you need the most work, because judging from your dead soldier models you have modelling down pretty well. For textures, I suggest using GIMP as it is a very powerful program loaded with features. I also suggest using images from google or cgtextures before you try to hand-paint your textures If you ever need help with GIMP or Milkshape, feel free to shoot me an email.

But as a last note, never forget to have fun mate! I LOVE Modelling because it gets me away from my life and I just dont realize the time flying. The minute it becomes a chore, you know that you need to change something! Ofcourse I always find UV mapping a chore...but thats just me...


100% agree with this There is really no way I could have known I would be making models people might actually use when I started back in '09 with good ol' Sketchup

Cheers,
Anayar

[EDIT] I just read through what I read and seems to me like I sound kinda high and mighty Sorry bout that mate, just trying to provide you with some insight cause I love helping people who show interest![/EDIT]

Sculptris has a very nice texture painting feature, it automatically creates a uv map that has little or no noticable seams and stretches and you can use a variety of different textures, however the texture maps are not uniform and you will not be able to easily modify the texture outside of sculptris.


Poloflece

Thanks so much everybody! Gonna check out your tutorials now anayar. Also, could you tell me what you think of this.

Honestly, it just takes time and practice, looking at real world photos can't hurt