Alright, I'm having some issues with applying a decal using cylindrical mapping. I've had no luck getting it to turn out properly. Using the method as shown by Rob:
http://www.hash.com/forums/index.php?act=a...st&id=45211
And the map just isn't applying properly. (note that the texture is actually a TGA, just changed it to jpg to upload it.)

It applied ok for me.

Just out of curiosity, what repeat value does it show under Decals>Images>arm?

x should = 3




Is it possible there is some hidden CP in the group, not part of the mesh you want to apply to? That would move the effective pivot point to an unwanted spot.

More likely problem... your "arm" is not centered about the vertical Y-axis.

Arms usually aren't centered like that in a model, but I believe you can move them in a pose for that purpose and apply the decal there.

Ah-ha!! There we go. I HAD, in fact, made a pose and moved it over to the Y-axis... but I forgotten to center it ON the Y-axis. Thanks a lot, Rob!

Hey thaks! I needed that!

Alright, here's another one. Not so much a "can't get to work" as much as "how would you do this."
Click to view attachment
Is a cylindrical map my best bet for something like this that's uneven top and bottom, front and back? Or should I flatten the front and back separately and use an thin overlap texture to cover the seam?

I would flatten front and back. Also you shouldn't have to worry too much about the seams as you can adjust them in the editor after the decals have been applied. Just double click the stamp and adjust the CPs.

My vote... if you cyl map that ( I presume the Y axis would go through the top opening), there woudl be a lot of the map that is on nothing and gets unused.

Unless I'm misunderstanding the shape, I think you can manually flatten that in a pose and do it all in one map. 3D painter works well on such mappings

Bitmap plus material can work well and sometimes best for shapes that are "weird", especially if it's a repeating type texture. Simple enough to try.

New question, how would I go about texturing a closed loop?
Click to view attachment
Obviously, this can't be straightened along the Y-axis. Is it best to do half hidden at at time, along the axis? Or use some other method than cylindrical?

For a closed loop, I just hide half the loop, flatten the visible side in an Action or Pose, stamp it, then do the same thing for the other side. Then I adjust the UV mapping in the UV editor so the stamps on the two sides line up.

Thought as much, thanks!