[looking for] skin texture tutorials

Vata_Raven · June 8, 2015, 10:23pm

I’m wanting to learn skin texturing, but other than Digital Tutors, I haven’t had much luck finding tutorials for beginners

I want to make the skin from scratch, so no tutorials on how people use hi-res images and slap them onto their models (which is what I’ve been finding)

A style I’m aiming to give my characters is what Square Enix does for their Final Fantasy series, an anime-realism style (or at least 10-13 use the style, they threw that out for 15), it’s stylized but still looks real and not overly-detailed

TechSpectrum · June 8, 2015, 11:14pm

You could get Sculptris from the makers of ZBrush, but I don’t know if you are using a modeling program you are comfortable with. If you could tell me the program you are using I could help with you with more precise suggestions.

Vata_Raven · June 9, 2015, 1:15am

Does the program matter? I figured the knowledge would carry over regardless of the program used in the tutorial

I want to learn to use Substance Painter, and would prefer to use it due to how the textures are dynamic

TechSpectrum · June 9, 2015, 2:06am

Well different program have different methods, but it mostly just involves unwrapping and/or directly painting onto the model (which most programs like Blender, ZBrush, and Sculptris) allows.

Vata_Raven · June 9, 2015, 3:18am

Well, I don’t 3d model, I’m just using a per-made human model. I’ll mostly learn to sculpt human features (like lip cracks or whatever). I haven’t really bothered to learn any of this because I lack a tablet and still do, but I’m looking into one of those graphic tablets with the screen

Honestly, I don’t think it matters what program the tutorial is using, I can see if the technique can transfer into Substance Painter

Vata_Raven · June 9, 2015, 3:29am

Does this seem like a decent tutorial?

http://www.3dtotal.com/index_tutorial_detailed.php?id=824&catDisplay=1&roPos=1&page=3#.VXZbxebTEdU

The map seems simple enough to remake (they even said how they did it), but I’m curious about how it looks when you show more than the face. The Final Fantasy 13 renders I see, you see the veins in the legs (Lightening render in link below) Unless that detail is somehow controled with shaders

http://www.ff-xiii.net/images/media/4e2a76cf_Final-Fantasy-XIII-Lightning-High-Resolution-Artwork.jpg

But I also know shaders do a big part in making the skin look right, but I’m not sure if Painter has that level of shader control

TechSpectrum · June 9, 2015, 3:54am

Well, most of the detail when it comes to making character models is the model itself and the artist. Sometimes even the world style IS as you said affected by shaders such as a LUTs and so on (I could link you to a few things). While most people make high poly count features, it can be re-produced with the use of normal maps, and bump maps. Now one thing I can suggest you try is getting a basic model program, probably blender since it is free, then download .obj models that are people. You can get textured or even base models, and with it, you can practice learning how to use different maps to do different things. Also to answer your question, yes that is good tutorial to follow.

Try looking for base models or characters to work on here: http://tf3dm.com/3d-models/characters
or Here: https://www.mixamo.com/

Mixamo is free and allows people to make instant character, but it also includes a source package for people to make their own assets, so with that you can play around with it and make your own and see how it comes out. Not to mention you can port your creation to the website and give it animations, that way if you like your work you can see it in actions.

PS: If you download model assets from the link, I meant to say you can also practice re-texturing them with your own design. Even modding a game you have with a new skin seems fitting I suppose.

Hope this helps.

Vata_Raven · June 9, 2015, 5:16am

I’m aware how models are done, I just haven’t bothered to learn due to lack of tablet, and I already have my human model (I use Daz’s stuff), I’m just wanting to learn how to texture skin

TechSpectrum · June 9, 2015, 6:08am

Then you would necessarily be looking up art tutorials, but why the modeling program mattered so much is because some allow you to paint and there are tutorials for those programs.

Anyways, I’m going to link you to as much as I can find and hope for the best.

Google Search: How to paint realistic skin - Google Search

PS: You don’t need a Tablet or Pen to make decent character models, you just have to find the right program with sculpting tools and practice using them. If you use Sculptris for instance, you’ll find that’s is extremely simple.

Vata_Raven · June 9, 2015, 7:32am

but it helps, I’ve tried with a mouse, made me hate the idea of using those program

anyway, thanks for the help and the links

TechSpectrum · June 9, 2015, 8:18am

It’s true you wont get as much precision in a shorter amount of time, unless you trained your hands to sculpt. However I’m glad I was able to help, hope you found what you were looking for and it benefits your work.