Knife Retopology and Texturing

For this assignment, we were given 3D models taken from 3D scans of knives to take and texture using Maya, Substance Designer, and Unity. This process helps us learn how to use a new tool in Maya, as well as how to use the tools in Painter to create textures for objects.
First, I used the Quad Cut Tool to convert the high-poly model into a low-poly model. Once I had my low poly models, we UV'd it and made a low-poly UV map by cutting and sewing together a basic UV map. Taking the model and exporting it to Painter, I used both smart materials and regular materials to texture the model. This process was fairly simple, however just a few details were needed to be remembered to create a good looking texture. From there, I took the texture and the low-poly model and imported them into Unity. From there, I rendered the knife with the new textures on it.

Wooden Knife

Knife 2

Knife 1 - Unity did not like my texture.

I did run into some problems. I struggled with the quad cut tool when it came to the ends and edges of the models. My polygons were always turning into ngons or triangles where they were inappropriate. However, with practice, I was able to master the tool and create nice looking models.

Even with my new found expertise, creating perfect UVs was difficult, and only managed to get nearly-perfect UV maps on the first knife. Thus, on the tops of my models, the textures are stretched and not placed on properly.

I am, however, very proud of the second knife. Despite not having the most perfect UV map, I love how the texture turned out, as well as the low-poly model. I think I could have used the "add divisions" tool more and gotten a smoother model, but overall it was a pretty successful creation.