3d-io releases Unwrella-IO
Originally posted on 19 June 2024 for the beta, and updated for the final release.
Tools developer 3d-io has released Unwrella-IO, a new standalone app based on the technology used in Unwrella, its UV unwrapping and packing plugin 3ds Max and Maya.
It is designed to automatically unrap the UVs of 3D models in a few clicks, via an intuitive UI.
Turning 3d-io’s UV unwrapping and UV packing technology into standalone apps
3d-io has recently been turning its technology – previously available as plugins for specific DCC applications – into standalone apps for users of any DCC software.
In 2024, it released Packer-IO, a free standalone UV packing tool based on the technology behind its existing UV-Packer plugins.
Unwrella-IO does something similar, but for one of 3d-io’s main commercial tools: Unwrella, its UV unwrapping and packing plugin for 3ds Max and Maya.
The standalone version makes it possible to use the same technology with assets from other DCC applications, like Blender or Unreal Engine.
An intutive, high-performance standalone UV unwrapping tool
3d-io describes Unwrella-IO as providing “a natural UI and easy-to-understand controls for creating UVs” making it possible to unwrap 3D models “with just a few clicks”.
In the video above, the UI looks almost identical to Packer-IO – not entirely surprising, since UV-Packer is integrated into Unwrella – but with the addition of an additional section of the interface with UV unwrapping controls.
It includes preset modes for hard-surface and organic models, and mosaic unwrapping for 3D scans, plus controls for the placement of UV seams and the amount of UV stretching to tolerate.
The other workflows are similar to UV-Packer, with users able to drag and drop models into the app, and semi-automatically unwrap and pack the UVs.
Price, system requirements and release date
Unwrella-IO is compatible with Windows 10+. A macOS version is “coming soon”.
Perpetual licenses cost €199 (around $210). It is also possible to upgrade from the 3ds Max or Maya plugin to the new standalone edition for €99 (around $105).
Read more about Unwrella-IO on 3d-io’s website
Read the online documentation for Unwrella-IO
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