What is Vertex Colors and should I use it?

NewRepublic · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 10 Location: Norway

I've been trying to figure out what exactly Vertex Colors is both in Max's help file and online.. but I'm not getting that much wiser. Can someone explain what you gain by painting with vertex colors before applying a map....? And how many of you actually use it?

nerseus · Joined: 27 Mar 2007 Posts: 1649 Location: USA - AZ

With vertex colors, you can "paint" on your model, and it will influence the colors put on by the texture map. You could, for example, put one texture on two walls but have each get different shadows. Or you could model a lamp in the corner of your room and have it put "light" on the wall. Anyone retexturing the room just puts on a regular texture and the vertex colors would always add the light to that texture during rendering.

On the downside, vertex colors can't be animated. They can't be changed or removed by someone deriving. They're limited by how many verts you have (more verts could create smoother, more detailed effects). And finally, you can add many lights in max, and use the tool "Assign Vertex Colors" that will automatically add the modifier AND adjust the verts to match the lights. So if you're making a room, you can fake having many real lights by having the vertex coloring put on the highlights and shadows.

-ner

NewRepublic · Joined: 03 May 2010 Posts: 10 Location: Norway

Ah okay.. I think I understand it now. Thanks Smile

So there's not much point in using vertex colors on a simple 3d furniture like a chair?

UNVSam3D · Joined: 07 Apr 2010 Posts: 641 Location: USA - LA

I use vertex colors in all my newer furniture. It gives the mesh depth and a realistic shading right off. The deriver can chose not to use the vertex colors by un-checking the option in the material tab. For instance pillow couchons, the underside and backside can be shaded to give the pillow a realistic look with a plain solid color. You can enhance the roundness of the pillow. I always do, because I figure, if the deriver doesn't want it, they can choose not to use it, so it can't hurt either way.
I do find some texturers don't know about this feature, so I give them a small rundown on the product page. I am trying to include a few more instructions nowadays than I have in the past.
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Marilena · Joined: 23 Dec 2006 Posts: 4891 Location: Italy

hi i still don't use vertex colors but i'm going to use them soon! here are 2 useful links about vertex colors on imvu! i hope it helps!
vertex painting
vertex lighting
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neo1471 · Joined: 22 Jul 2005 Posts: 3632 Location: United Kingdom

The devs in the detail, within every creative area of imvu its like a detail arms race, back when it started ud be lucky to find creases in clothing, the longer you dev the more you understand your tools the more details you put into them, a simple item that back when u started took you 3 days you eventualy learn to do in 3 hours with all the bells and whisls

id suggest just adding them when u feel comftable with the exstra work load they add

-it is one thing sketchup currently cant do...
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"Crankificates" -Polystyrene

Chatdoll · Joined: 04 Aug 2011 Posts: 77 Location: Jersey

As a texture artist Very Happy

, I love the options..I leave some in and some out depending on the color , pattern, of the texture. I do find myself playing with "illuminate" alot more with the vertex coloring. I appreciate the options.
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twistednanny · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 2690

It's for putting a 'fake shadow' in the mesh but you have to paint it right. I use it in furniture products as it gives a much nicer look when you apply texture to it.
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Evilcurium · Joined: 24 Nov 2010 Posts: 203 Location: Italy

I have nice example of vertex colors here:
http://www.imvu.com/shop/product.php?products_id=12367606

Most off the ppl draw vertex colors. But you can bake it also.
In that room i put five light and bake it. You can bake colors by pressing
Assign Vertex Colors button under tools menu.

Texy · Joined: 10 Oct 2009 Posts: 11 Location: USA - TX

thank you for the question........very useful info and everyone can always learn from these posts Smile

~texy

Jaleman31 · Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 8133 Location: USA - WA

does any one use a pen whit vertex painting?
cos I can`t paint in details whit the mouse even when i change the settings on the brush.. max just "paint" like a big splash everywhere.
lets say I want to paint the shadows for a tree , i select the polygon on the floor and i paint the whole ground dark.. then i go to the lowest setting on the brush size whit a whit a lighter color, but still it paint like a big brush all over .
i have seen the tutorial from create, i can`t do that.. my brush paint the whole wall.
wander if he`s using a pen or i need to change other settings.
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twistednanny · Joined: 29 Sep 2007 Posts: 2690

did you look at this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=575c-CzpBfA ?
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Jaleman31 · Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 8133 Location: USA - WA

that`s the one i saw from imvu, but when I i do it whit those settings it look like a big splash on the mesh Sad

it paint in any direction and can`t control where and how big i want it.
maybe i need a new mouse or less big programs on my pc.. i notice max run better when i don`t have that many programs install on my pc.
but i love my games, can`t live whit out them lol.
can the problem be the mouse I am using? is like 14 years old, one of the first optical laser but it works fine and my hand never get tired.
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Jaleman31 · Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 8133 Location: USA - WA

ok, I want to add that yes, the mouse I use make a difference.
I am using a more sensitive mouse now and I am able to have more control of the size of the brush when I paint now, i can get smaller areas erase or paint.
but not much control like the imvu video.
I also notice that if the area of the mesh has more polygons the paint is smaller and areas of the mesh whit less or bigger polygons the paint is bigger whit out changing the size of the brush , is this normal?
I am painting the same way like it show on the imvu video whit out selecting element or polygons.
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Jaleman31 · Joined: 03 Jul 2006 Posts: 8133 Location: USA - WA

ok..like 10 hours later Smile

\
to answer my own question is yes.. the more polygons i have on a mesh , more control i have whit the brush painting, and I can almost do what it show on the imvu video.
I still cant "paint" it small enough to mimic a tree`s shadow for imvu.
so if I trying to do this on a mesh whit just few polygons , I don`t have much control of the brush size and I cant get the effect I want? . Sad

so for some meshes is better to do the effect using opacity maps like what i want to do on a low poly mesh.
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