How to Use Headus UVLayout Pro v2 to Create and Edit UVs for 3D Models
Headus UVLayout Pro v2 is a stand-alone application that allows you to create and edit UV texture coordinates for 3D polymeshes and subdivision surfaces. UVs are essential for mapping textures onto your 3D models, and having low-distortion UVs can improve the quality and efficiency of your texturing workflow. In this article, we will show you how to use Headus UVLayout Pro v2 to generate and modify UVs for a simple 3D model.
Step 1: Download and Install Headus UVLayout Pro v2
You can download Headus UVLayout Pro v2 from the official website: http://www.uvlayout.com/. The software is available for Windows, Mac, and Linux platforms. You will need a license key to activate the software, which you can purchase from the website or use a keygen to generate one. The keygen is included in some of the downloads from CG Persia: https://cgpersia.com/2015/09/headus-uvlayout-pro-v2-09-00-winmaclinux-32204.html. To use the keygen, you will need to run it as administrator on Windows or use Wine on Mac or Linux. Enter your name and email address and click on “Generate”. Copy the generated license key and paste it into the activation window of Headus UVLayout Pro v2.
Step 2: Import Your 3D Model
Headus UVLayout Pro v2 supports OBJ file format for importing and exporting 3D models. You can use any 3D modeling software to create your model and export it as an OBJ file. For this example, we will use a simple cube model. To import your model into Headus UVLayout Pro v2, click on the “Load” button on the top left corner of the interface. Navigate to the folder where you saved your OBJ file and select it. You will see your model displayed in the main view pane.
Step 3: Cut Your Model into Flattenable Pieces
The first step in creating UVs is to cut your model into pieces that can be flattened into 2D shapes. This will help you avoid stretching and overlapping of your texture coordinates. Headus UVLayout Pro v2 has a powerful tool called “Cut” that allows you to easily cut your model along edges or loops. To use the Cut tool, click on the “Cut” button on the top right corner of the interface. You will see a red line indicating the current cut direction. You can change the cut direction by pressing the arrow keys on your keyboard. To make a cut, click on an edge or a loop on your model. You will see a green line indicating the cut path. You can undo or redo your cuts by pressing Ctrl+Z or Ctrl+Y on your keyboard. To finish cutting, press Enter or Esc on your keyboard.
Step 4: Flatten Your Pieces into UV Islands
The next step in creating UVs is to flatten your pieces into 2D shapes called UV islands. This will allow you to map your texture onto your model. Headus UVLayout Pro v2 has a powerful tool called “Flatten” that allows you to automatically flatten your pieces with minimal distortion. To use the Flatten tool, click on the “Flatten” button on the top right corner of the interface. You will see your pieces displayed in the UV view pane on the bottom right corner of the interface. You can adjust the size and position of your pieces by using the mouse wheel or dragging them with the left mouse button. You can also use flattening brushes to smooth out any wrinkles or folds in your pieces by clicking on them with the right mouse button.
Step 5: Pack Your UV Islands into a Single Texture Space
The final step in creating UVs is to pack your UV islands into a single texture space that fits within a square area called the UV tile. This will allow you to