|
1: Could someone please explain how to set the MUDBOX2009_SUBDIVIDE_SMOOTH_UV environment variable in XP64. I have found the environment variables button in my computer advanced properties and when I open that I can see new button and it opens a variable and a value box, I have put MUDBOX2009_SUBDIVIDE_SMOOTH_UV in as the variable and 1 in as the value, is that right?
2: I am putting this in as I am getting strange stretching when applying sculpt by displacement at the edges of my UV shell, I guess because they are rivited to the low poly shape while the rest of the UVs get moved as you smooth? Is that the reason
3: The subdivide operation has 3 tick box options which are not well explained in the help with a sort of ‘depends on your renderer’ explanation. I wish someone would be more specific about it
To quote the help file
# Smooth Positions: Applies a global smoothing operation to the vertices on the polygonal model each time it is subdivided (based on a Catmull-Clark algorithm). The default is on.
I guess it should be on as I will be subdividing the polygons, why wouldnt I want the positions to follow Mrs CCs smoothing rules? Are there circumstances I shouldnt do this??
# Subdivide UVs: Subdivides the UV texture coordinates associated with the model for each subdivision operation when turned on. When turned off, subdivision levels higher than Level 0 do not have UVs applied until they are required. For example, UVs are applied to a higher level whenever the user begins to paint on the model. The default is off.
I guess I can live with that, why bog up the computer until needed
# Smooth UVs: Applies global smoothing to the UV texture coordinates associated with the model each time it is subdivided. Smoothing UVs may be desired if the model is to be subsequently rendered in another application as a subdivision surface model and it supports a similar UV smoothing algorithm as Mudbox. The default is off.
Im guessing this should be on to follow the global smoothing of the polygon vertices but if only I knew which renderers smooth the UV. Why is the default off?
4 Should I have this on using Maya 2010 rendering with displacement maps in Mental ray with subdivision approximations?
5 Should I have on using Maya 2010 rendering with displacement maps in a Renderman compliant renderer like 3Delight with the equivalent subdiv scheme?
6 Maybe I should watch Ashmans videos again I sure wish I understood this. You can smooth the UVs when generating displacement maps Im guessing you shouldnt do that if you have already done that subdividing?? And you shouldnt do either if the renderer doesnt smooth Uvs??
No idea really I wish someone would enlighten me with a simple explanation, or even just some yes or no’s to the questions above, I have only had Maya for a few months so sorry for the dumb questions.
| 
