Skinning a new model

I have made several models that I want to use in a Warcraft III map that me and some of my fellow workers are making, but I do not know how to skin the models. Can someone please tell me how to skin the newly made models. BTW, I use 3DS Max 6.

Do I need another program, or can I just use 3DS Max & photoshop. If I need another program, please tell me which and/or provide a link.

Im not exactly sure about 3ds max 6 because i use 3ds max 4.2 but u can always use a program called ultimate unwrapper 3d (http://www.unwrap3d.com) or the other way to do it is apply a uvw map to ur object the pick the kind of mapping you want (exp. box would produce 6 different visions, top,bottom,left,right,front,and back) that's for easy models, the other way is to apply a uvw unwrap modifier and click the plus next to it and use select faces, then select the faces you want to unwrap and click planar map, then hit edit, then it should show you those faces unwrapped and u gotta move those around and keep doing that for different parts until you get the whole model unwrapped. I prefer saving myself a bunch of work and paying $30 or $40 and just buying ultimate unwrapper 3d. Im not 100% sure this is the best way please correct me if there is an easier way to do this.

Good Luck! :D

Now then, how would i get the uvw unwrap modifier. I don't want to do those 6-view skins because then the skin files will probably be really big in file size, so I'd like to know how to do that one you were saying, which I'm assuming you can use to make those sleek war3 skins where only half of the body is shown and stuff.

You add it with the modifiers tab when u edit poly's and meshes

I tried doing the Unwrap UVW modifier, and I clicked the plus button but nothing happened, so I searched to see if I could do anything else on there, but I couldn't. Then I tried the UVW modifier and I selected planar and pressed fit but nothing happened, and the same was for when I selected face & pressed fit. WHAT AM I SUPPOSED TO DO? IS THERE A STEP-BY-STEP TUTORIAL SOMEWHERE OR WHAT?!?

Here is a picture referance, i hope it helps. Srry my drawing is bad.

Allright, I tried doing what you said and I get this screeny that I'm posting.

But, how do I save it so that I can edit it in photoshop from there? The only options that are remotely possible are save UV and to try and edit the texture of the area, but I don't know how to add other textures to the list that is there/get another texture from another list. Please respond again, and quickly.

Well, you can look up a thing called texporter on google, its a tool that converts the uvw map into a blp image, or you can use the print scr button on your keyboard(above the insert key) and then go into to photoshop and use edit>paste

It's funny cause I had already dled texporter not knowing how to use it. Well, thank you so much for your help. I'll post/ edit if I need anything else.

Alright. I've finished the skinning, but now how do I import the skin back in as a .uvw or as something else that I can put the skin on the model.

Please, someone answer me soon. I REALLY NEED HELP!

Does this tool work for gmax??? o_O

I dont think so becouse it unwraps 3ds and such(i think) and gmax doesnt export as 3ds....

well is there any tool for gmax?? im getting pretty frustrated... this is my last step in moddeling. I can animate and do most of the other stuff. Theres no way i can make a skin and eyeball it and then move vertices around thats insane. i need something that flattens the map out so i can skin it like a coloring book with lines.

I heard a program called ChilliSkinner works. Try that out.

But, can anyone please help me with my problem? PLEASE, I REALLY NEED HELP WITH THIS! ANY HELP IS MUCH & GREATLY APPRECIATED!