Ok now I understand the bone deal(kinda) and I'm checking out the skins for the models. It looks really complicated when I open it up in Photoshop as a dds file. Is it possible to use a different program to color and then extract the skin as a dds file separately?
I don't think he's asking for an alternative for Photoshop, rather, he's asking to just not interact with skinning at all.
Really, UVW Unwrap, exporting the map and making the textures on photoshop IS the best way but you can also try new alternatives for that "3D painting" you want.
You can try to use mudbox which is another autodesk's separate program that allows you to open max models and directly painting textures on them OR you can try polyboost which is a 3ds max plug in (it incorporates into 3ds max) and it has a few 3d painting capabilities but they're just solid colors.
Ok now I understand the bone deal(kinda) and I'm checking out the skins for the models. It looks really complicated when I open it up in Photoshop as a dds file. Is it possible to use a different program to color and then extract the skin as a dds file separately?
Probbly, but best choice is photoshop, since it has most plugins and most flexibility.
I don't think he's asking for an alternative for Photoshop, rather, he's asking to just not interact with skinning at all.
Really, UVW Unwrap, exporting the map and making the textures on photoshop IS the best way but you can also try new alternatives for that "3D painting" you want.
You can try to use mudbox which is another autodesk's separate program that allows you to open max models and directly painting textures on them OR you can try polyboost which is a 3ds max plug in (it incorporates into 3ds max) and it has a few 3d painting capabilities but they're just solid colors.
This works well, but Mudbox painting can leave some strange artifacts sometimes. You will probably want to refine your textures in Photoshop anyway.
meh, u could use maxxon's bodypaint, or zbrush for "on mesh painting", too... 3D Coat does the same thing i think!