BodyPaint 3D is basically a complete 3D software (important to create 3D configurators) solution, known for its 3D painting and UV mapping capabilities. Although BodyPaint 3D has been around since 2000, many users don`t know exactly what it is and how it differs from the 3D animation software Cinema 4D. So in the following article, we want to make sure you understand everything about the product and the possibilities it offers.
When BodyPaint was first developed about 17 years ago, it was designed as a 3D painting tool. With BodyPaint it was possible to paint directly on 3D models without creating textures in external image editing programs. The software included a number of popular image editing tools, with full support for graphic tablets, so that numerous texturing tasks could be performed without having to switch to an image editing program. BodyPaint 3D supports layers, masks, blend modes and more, as well as many of the core tools that 3D artist of popular image editors love.
During this time, BodyPaint 3D offered ever more powerful UV mapping tools and projection painting tools. The latter are ways to project textures planar to the camera. BodyPaint automatically distorts these textures so that the image looks good. Projection Painting Tools are an enormous time saver for film artists who don`t have to worry about creating perfect UV maps. But even if you want to paint in a different image processing program, BodyPaint 3D`s core tool set is still very useful for making sure your UV maps are as little distorted as possible. In addition, users can set the BodyPaint 3D layer system to support .psd format, allowing users to easily switch from BodyPaint 3D to Photoshop.
Another interesting aspect of older versions of BodyPaint 3D was the feature that it contained several exchange plug-ins, which allowed users to use it not only with Cinema 4D, but with other 3D applications.
BodyPaint 3D is more than just 3D painting and texturing.
Over the years, the code for Cinema 4D and BodyPaint 3D has become inefficient to maintain them separately. With this is mind, the decision was made to fully integrate BodyPaint 3D into the Cinema 4D toolset of all commercial versions. However, due to the use of BodyPaint 3D by other applications and the brand awareness of BodyPaint 3D, a standalone version remains available for users of other 3D software. This gave BodyPaint 3D a major feature update, as BodyPaint 3D was able to take over the full functionality of Cinema 4D Prime and the Sculpting Tools of Cinema 4D in one version.
The current version of BodyPaint 3D contains a number of modeling tools, such as sculpting tools, animation tools, material systems, rendering tools and much more. At a very affordable price, BodyPaint 3D is an attractive option for any game designer looking for a tool set to create game assets that can be polygonally modeled, shaped, textured, and output from Unity or Unreal. Below we would like to introduce you to some of the top features of BodyPaint 3D.
3D painting tools.
BodyPaint 3D includes a powerful suite of tools you`re already familiar with. Brushes, erasers, masks, layers, filters and more. While BodyPaint 3D doesn`t offer everything an image editor like Photoshop does, you can still do a lot of texturing work. The big advantage is that you can work directly on your model and see your changes in real time. The support of BodyPaint 3D for graphics tablets is also very nice. Brushes feel the way they should. You can also customize the print settings to your liking. Bodypaint 3D also offers the ability to use the Photoshop .abr brush and paint in multiple channels simultaneously. For example, you can set up a multibrush brush to paint the color, displacement and reflection channels and take the results in real time.
Compared to an external image editing program, BodyPaint 3D has the advantage that the artwork can be viewed in real time at any time. Another central advantage is the so-called Projection Painting. With Projection Painting you paint your texture in planar view and BodyPaint 3D adapts it to your textures, even if your UV maps are not as good. Getting perfect UV maps can take some time, but BodyPaint 3D has some options for automatically generating UVs such as Optimal Angle Mapping, which in combination with Projection Painting can give you great results.
This means that you can paint or insert images onto your model so that it looks perfect for the camera. BodyPaint 3D will make the appropriate adjustments to match your UVs. This even works across multiple objects. Projection Painting is often used by film artists where broken UV maps do not affect the final performance, unlike games where this is the case. This means that artists can save a lot of time by not having to worry about UV mapping.
UV mapping tools.
UV mapping refers to the process of applying textures to models and leaving them there if the model geometry deforms. UV mapping tools help users wrap a 3D model into a flat layout so you can paint on a flat image and wrap it around the model.
For example, if you want to texture a game character, you need to unpack the model with as few breaks, seams, and distortions as possible. This ia a tedious process, but BodyPaint 3D offers a number of tools to simplify the process. There are several automatic and manual options as well as ways to create Quick Maps for multiple options. With BodyPaint 3D Color Settings Wizard, you can quickly and easily create maps and materials for multiple objects and then edit each map further if you wish.
When you purchase the BodyPaint 3D standalone app, you get the sulpting tools found in Cinema 4D Studio. These powerful tools let you quickly and easily model geometry. The tools are great for creating models from scratch or adding details to existing models, such as adding details to a basic character model.
While sculpting can be a tricky skill to master, the sculpting tools found in our software are designed to be easy to use and accessible to everyone. If you`ve reached your limits in sculpting in the past, you should definitely try BodyPaint 3D`s Sculpting Tools.
Cinema 4D Prime Tools.
BodyPaint 3D`s painting and UV tools are great. But what sets BodyPaint 3D apart from other 3D painting or sculpting programs is the fact that the rest of Cinema 4D Prime`s tools are available, so you can benefit from a complete 3D modeling, rendering and animation software.
Cinema 4D includes all the core features that Cinema 4D users can use, including all the modeling tools, lots of animation tools, lighting tools, standard rendering tools, some drawing animation tools, a basic particle system, and most pipeline integration options – including output to users like After Effects, Final Cut Pro, and many more. Workflow wise, you can still move assets to game engines like Unity & Unreal, just like any other Cinema 4D artist.
Improvements in the latest release.
With the recent announcement of Cinema 4D, BodyPaint 3D now takes advantage of the latest and greatest Viewport enhancements. This makes painting in 3D an absolute pleasure.
BodyPaint 3D is a powerful 3D software that can do a lot mmore than just 3D painting and texturing. If you want to try BodyPaint 3D, you can request a free trial version on the following page.
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