Hello, I've noticed that you guys always do a really good job of using a lot of high resolution reference images. I've been trying to emulate that by creating my own collages, but I don't know how to import them into blender as one single image. I do have a second monitor, so I generally use that to display my references. I am assuming that my method is still a good way to work and that you import images into blender for the purposes of simpler recording. Is that true, or are there other benefits that I don't know about when you import a collage into the Image Editor?
Hi Brian, I think Kent uses PureRef: https://www.pureref.com
You can get it for free or pay an arbitrary amount by choosing Custom Amount. Or try it for free and pay something later.
I actually don't use PureRef but it's a very popular and capable option! I simply use Krita, starting with a large canvas (8196x8196 for example) and simply copy/paste images one by one, trying to fit them together like a puzzle. It works for me but I believe pureref has a more automated solution.
...are there other benefits that I don't know about when you import a collage into the Image Editor?
When you get to the texturing stage it's nice to have the option of color-picking from your ref image. I do this during the skin painted section. Besides that I also like that the image editor keeps the same hotkeys. I don't like having to switch my mental hotkey map between an external image editor app and Blender.
That said I used an external image editor for years and still do. Importing ref to Blender is also ideal for recording tutorials so I'm biased 😅