I've got a frigate of sorts for a first model and the only real bind I'm in is texturing it. I've done some good amount of searching and reading, and i have no idea which direction to take. all i really want to do for now just to get this thing off the ground is "borrow" some texture tiles from Freespace's VP files and lay them on this model so i can load it up and play with it some, see how it works and such, while still being able to make it look semi nifty.
these are the tools I've been using:
-TS 3.2
-Lithunwrap (I've played with it but still don't really understand it, the stuff I've read is kinda vague)
-PCS (if PCS and ModelView32 were to mate and rear a kid that would be awesome)
-all the new and shiny VPview and ModelView tools (came with SCP, very cool!)
-Good intentions and coffee
I have tried using TS's built in UV texturing feature and to say (in as family friendly manner possible) it both sucks and blows. it skews and bunches the textures rather horribly to the point where i think even Picasso, were he still alive, would have punched me in the eye. i like TS though...easy to learn.
so is there an easy way to thieve and lay textures?
or am i going to have to move up from TS, hunt down the free version of Photo Shop or like programs and learn the UV world right off the bat? guess learning now wouldn't hurt any.
so any help or direction pointing fingers to a good tutorial or post would be much appreciated!