Game Art: Model & UV Map a Low Poly Character

Learn how to model low-polygon assets for games. This step-by-step course shows how using 3ds Max.

Introduction

• Welcome
• What you should know before watching this course
• Using the exercise files
• Setting up the Max project
• A quick word about gamma and scale
• Setting up the scene

1. Modeling and Unwrapping the Drive Wheel Assembly

• Creating the hub
• Shaping the hub
• Unwrapping the hub
• Creating the drive shaft, part 1
• Creating the drive shaft, part 2
• Using symmetry modifiers to keep the shape
• UV mapping the drive shaft
• Building the drive cylinder
• Using guide objects
• Detailing the drive wheel
• Finishing off the drive wheel
• Setting up UV maps for the wheels

2. Building and UV Mapping the Wheels and Tread

• Creating the main wheel support
• Refining the wheel support model
• Creating the wheels
• Modeling the wheels detail
• Prepping the model for UV unwrapping
• Unwrapping the wheels and support
• Creating the single wheel
• Uwrapping the single wheel
• Creating the main support
• Unwrapping the main support
• Modeling the tread assembly frame
• Creating the rest of the frame
• UV mapping the frame mesh
• Using splines to create the tracks
• Unwrapping the tracks

3. Creating and Mapping the Head

• Modeling the head shape
• Creating the eye sockets
• Detailing the shape
• Unwrapping the head

4. Modeling and UV Mapping the Piston Assembly

• Creating the piston support
• UV mapping the support
• Creating the support arm
• Detailing the end of the arm
• Unwrapping the support arm
• Building the piston
• Mapping the piston
• Creating the piston connector
• Unwrapping the connector

5. Final Modeling, FBX Export, and Normal Map Baking

• Creating the scoop base shape
• Refining the scoop
• Unwrapping the scoop
• Attaching the mesh back together
• Exporting the model
• Baking out the normal map
• Fixing the normal map issue

Conclusion

• Next steps