Techniques in body Techniques in body paintpaint

Adam CrowtherAdam Crowther

For this tutorial, I will be using my “Savage Hoplite” For this tutorial, I will be using my “Savage Hoplite” model.model.

We start by simply pulling up the We start by simply pulling up the model in Lightwave 8.model in Lightwave 8.

The next stepThe next step

Export the model into body paint 3D.Export the model into body paint 3D.

The model should appearThe model should appear

Once the model is in body paint, Once the model is in body paint, click the “paint setup wizard” and click the “paint setup wizard” and finish the process.finish the process.

After this, you can go crazy and After this, you can go crazy and paint. I encourage experimentation paint. I encourage experimentation with the first couple of models.with the first couple of models.

The smudging techniqueThe smudging technique

My favorite technique is smudging.My favorite technique is smudging. This can be done with the icon that This can be done with the icon that

looks like a finger.looks like a finger. As you can see, smudgingAs you can see, smudging

creates a different effect creates a different effect depending on both size depending on both size and pressure, and sometimesand pressure, and sometimescolor.color.

The polygon toolThe polygon tool

Another one of my favorite tools is Another one of my favorite tools is the “make polyline selection” tool. the “make polyline selection” tool. By using this on the 2D plane, you By using this on the 2D plane, you can create a very complex shape can create a very complex shape without errors.without errors.

Use your toolsUse your tools

Experimentation is key in learning Experimentation is key in learning any program. Body Paint allows you any program. Body Paint allows you to use a wide variety of tools. By to use a wide variety of tools. By using different tools, you can create using different tools, you can create desirable affects.desirable affects.

If you don’t like what you see, just If you don’t like what you see, just “undo”!“undo”!

Time matters!!!Time matters!!!

The more time you spend in the The more time you spend in the program, the more you learn and the program, the more you learn and the better your model looks.better your model looks.

After one hour…After one hour…

After two hours…After two hours…

About technique…About technique…

Some artist prefer 2-D canvases Some artist prefer 2-D canvases rather than 3-D canvases. To move rather than 3-D canvases. To move to 2-D surfaces click on texture and to 2-D surfaces click on texture and then the name of your image. If it is then the name of your image. If it is unnamed, it will show up as unnamed, it will show up as “default”. “default”.

It should look like this…It should look like this…

Normally, 2-D textures always match Normally, 2-D textures always match the UV maps.the UV maps.

After a while…After a while…

The final copyThe final copy

Final 3d modelFinal 3d model

Don’t forgetDon’t forget

Save your textures as JPEG files Save your textures as JPEG files ANDAND

Export them back to Lightwave and Export them back to Lightwave and save them there, also.save them there, also.

Its that easy!Its that easy!

Body paint is an incredible program. Body paint is an incredible program. Although as a texture artist you will Although as a texture artist you will also use Photoshop and other paint also use Photoshop and other paint programs, Body paint is by far the programs, Body paint is by far the most superior.most superior.

Start to finish products can be Start to finish products can be achieved in one sitting, no matter achieved in one sitting, no matter how big or small the object.how big or small the object.

Other models in Other models in body paintbody paint

Colored armorColored armor

Evil SwordEvil Sword

In Conclusion…In Conclusion…

Body paint is your friend. Good luck Body paint is your friend. Good luck with all of your models and with all of your models and remember that texturing can be remember that texturing can be zenful (with some good music and zenful (with some good music and focus).focus).