How Do I skin Abstract Shapes?

If this is on here anywhere, I couldn't find it. So if it is, then please link me to it instead of "lol red da tut nub".
Second, if there isn't, by abstract shapes, I mean anything with modified verticies from a regular shape, like any two "attached"/fused shapes, etc. I tried unfolding them in chiliskinner (I suck too much to manually mess with the UV, I can barely do it with normal shapes). So if anyone could please help me...
The simplest (abstract) thing in my model, I beleive is a box with a tube connected, something like
() [tube]
|_| [box]
excuse my poor ASCII
-Syco

You're asking about unwrapping, right? If so, which modeling program are you using? I don't know anything about chiliskinner, but if you're using Milkshape or 3ds max people should be able to give you better instructions.

This should be in the modeling forum, too.

Oops, yeah, shoulda specified program: 3ds Max (chiliskinner is a downloadable maxscript/tool)
And as far as it being in modeling, I figured generating the skin was part of skinning, but I don't have the power to move it anyway.
-Syco

-moved- :god_help_us:

In a overall sense, it's all about dividing it into little pieces and mapping them different ways. That way, you can get your complex shapes approximated as a number of simpler shapes. This looks like a good tutorial that can get more specific for chilliskinner.

Hello,

I have used chilliskinner also but i run it through gmax, pretty simmilar. Problem with chilliskinner is that it only accepts non complex shapes. I noticed that you said it was a box with a tube attatched to it that you were trying to texture. The box wont be much of a problem however the tube will be as chilliskinner tends to deform complex meshes when unwrapping.
If your willing to spend a little bit of money you can get a program called ultimate unwrap 3d. I currently have this program and works very well. It is a stand alone program to map out your textures/ exports bitmaps for painting and so forth. It is also compattible with 3ds max from what i saw you just might need to download a plugin from there website which is free. The program costs about 40 dollars total but seems well worth it to speed up your skinning and mapping process. Heres the website adress incase your interested. http://www.unwrap3d.com/

As far as the tutorial, thanks for looking, but I was at the site to get it, so I read the tuts there ^_^
And as far as ultimate unwrap...I'll look into it.
-Syco