Now that I have CS4 may I fire AVPainter?

There is a feature of AVPainter I love -- the detail work area where you can stamp a tiny image and easily manipulate (size, stretch and rotate) that tiny image before stamping onto the 3D avatar.
Please tell me there is a way to do the same sort of process using my new shiny PS upgrade. I am familiar with the "stamp tool" in PS but I do not know how to rotate it while using it and so forth.

I've never used AVPainter, so I'm not sure exactly what you mean, but from your description it sounds like you're asking about transformation options for cloning. How about just stamping onto a layer above the original source? Then you can transform the contents of that layer at any time. Or am I misunderstanding you?

Alternatively, you can also change settings on the Clone Source panel (Window -> Clone Source) -- I'm still getting used to saying "panel" instead of "palette", by the way; what a pointless change. The options are a little confusing at first, as they affect the movement of the sampler cursor, not just the properties of the stamping itself, but with some practice, it's useful.

Thanks Chosen - yeah, you pretty much get what I mean. The trouble I have is getting that done on the 3D model in the CS4. When I go to adjust layer with a clone I am guessing the only way to do that is on the 2D view. When that is done across a seam it does not line up because I am only touching one of the 2D views.

Hmm. There's got to be a good solution. We're all still in learning/experimentation mode with CS4, so it'll probably take some figuring out. Also, there are some bugs which Adobe really needs to squash before we can properly attack stuff like this.

For example, right now, if you make too many edits on the 2D image, it loses its ability to affect the 3D model, and the only recourse to get it working again seems to be to close the whole file and re-open it (which of course means you lose any changes since your last save). That's a major annoyance, and until it's fixed, it's really hard to say what the is best combination of 2D & 3D work flow for this, and for many other common procedures.

I'm wondering if it might be wise to put all three templates onto a single 1x3 ratio canvas for the working document, and then slice it up in post for upload to SL. In theory, that would eliminate any problems that come from cloning across multiple images. You'd be working on just one material instead of three.

yeah it is new - like a new world as I was on CS2 before and used AVPainter for seamwork and adding some details with that stamp feature. I agree there has to be something. AVPainter did well for me for a year and its instability is forgivable when you consider it was like 10 bucks compared to the price of photoshop. That being said, I have shelled out the big bucks and if there is anything that cs4 cannot do that AVP can well then, I'll say it... Adobe should be embarrassed. No offense to the AVP - it is the best 10 dollar program around for what it is. Its just Adobe should be trumping it on all levels at this point.

Off topic slightly but the dodge and burn improvements really rocked my socks - I just about wooted in my pants.

I may be misunderstanding what you mean, but couldnt you just paste your image onto the 3D Model? It goes on its own layer where you can then transform it any way you want and rotate the model underneath it so that its where you want it. Then you can merge that layer down onto the texture.

Yes you can do that but the resolution is very weak on small details - also it is very time consuming compared to the stamp feature in AVPainter.

How much does Photoshop CS4 cost and is that the one that we need to create thhings?

Check Adobe's website for prices - it varies greatly depending on if you get a bundle or an upgrade or academic etc.

There are dozens of programs out there for content creation - photoshop is just one of the higher end very powerful options. I think Gimp is still around and still free but I cannot speak to its abilities personally but it is popular.

The most important equipment you need for content creation - your brain - use it, research and read and research more and read more. Then experiment. Then read some more.

I could never figure out how to get stamp option that vaguely I think is in Avpainter.
If CS4 has 3D uv's great and does everything the avpainter did great.
But Avpainter is whole lot cheaper personally for me I am glad I have what I have.
I would think they would have something equivelent but not called stamps in CS4 but
I don't have it.
Ten dollars for Avpainter, and the other art programs that I got for free, cheap or as gifts
are good enough for me.
CS4 upgrade when I looked cost over or around 200 usd, full version even more money.
I don't know seems bit too expensive for hobby personally unless you're making lot of
money already making content and doing graphic, fine art professionally already.
One would assume as high end as CS4 and cost they would probably have brushes or equivalent of CS's version of what psp called tubes or have what Adobe Photoshop CS older
version called Custom Shape tool.
In my version it looks like 4 side shape type thing above the eye dropper.