The best manual retopology methods for baking sprites from 3D models create clean, low-poly meshes aligned with the sprite’s target view and UV layout—key for accurate texture results.
- **Follow the sprite’s angle**: Build edge loops that trace the model’s outline and essential details from the sprite’s intended perspective. Skip extra faces—they distort baked textures (like normals) and waste resources. - **Use quads**: Stick to four-sided faces. Quads unwrap to UVs more smoothly than triangles, ensuring your sprite’s textures (albedo, normals) map correctly. - **Reference the sprite**: Use the sprite’s front/side view as a guide. This keeps retopology focused on what the sprite will show, making baking predictable—especially helpful for beginners.