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3D Paint Mode

With 3D paint you can create texture maps directly on an object in one of two ways. You can paint images on a normal, flat canvas onto which the geometry of an object has been unfolded. The edges of the polygons are visible on the canvas, which helps you to orient yourself and your work with respect to the object. In 3D mode, you can use paint tools to draw directly onto an object in the Geometry window.

In this Chapter

In this chapter, we'll cover:

3D Paint controls

3D Paint Map mode

3D Paint 3D mode

3D Paint Controls

Using 3D Paint

3D Paint works in conjunction with N-Geometry. Menu options which control 3D paint modes are only visible when N-Geometry is running concurrently with N-Paint.

Figure 9.1 The 3D Paint modes menu

2D is the normal N-Paint mode.

Map mode allows you to paint directly on a texture map, with the geometry of the object "unfolded" and displayed as an overlay on the Paint canvas.

3D mode allows you to paint directly on a Geometry object.

Using 3D Paint

To use 3D Paint, you must:

Attach mappers to the objects you wish to paint.

Create and save maps for these objects, and assign the maps to the objects mappers using the Materials Editor.

Toggle shading ON in the GeoMenus.

Map Mode

Figure 9.2 3D Paint, Map Mode menu

When map mode is selected, the currently selected object in the N-Geometry window is "unfolded" onto the paint canvas. The geometry of the 3D object is projected onto the 2D canvas, with polygon edges represented by blue lines. You can use these lines to orient yourself with respect to the object in the Geometry window.

Figure 9.3 A sphere "unfolded" onto the Paint canvas

Once this unfolding process is completed, any paint which you apply to the canvas is automatically applied to the maps on the object. These changes are immediately visible in the Geometry window.

Figure 9.4 Canvas changes are updated on objects immediately

Part Select

You can paint on selected faces or face parts of an objects as well. N-Paint creates a matte using the selected parts.

(CLICK-L) on Part Select to select a part to highlight on the Paint Canvas.

OR

(CLICK-M) on the Map button to create a Matte using the selected face parts.

: Note: This operation only creates the matte. To use or display the matte, you must toggle the appropriate controls in the Matte Modes menu. For more information about using mattes, see "Matte Commands," on page 3-4.

Figure 9.5 The Select Face Part pop-up menu

(CLICK-L) on the part(s) you want to use.

3DPaint-selected allows you to select faces not in predefined face parts.

3D Mode

3D mode allows you to paint directly onto an object. To select 3D Paint mode, (CLICK-L) on the 3D button in the Modes section of the Tools menu.

Figure 9.6 The 3D Paint, 3D mode menu

The 3D Paint Canvas

When you enter 3D mode, the Paint Canvas is replaced by the 3D Paint Canvas. The 3D Paint canvas reflects the current Geometry view. So, if you want to paint on a portion of your model that is hidden in the current view, just go to N-Geometry and move the camera until the parts you want to paint are visible.

Geometry

This button controls the current view mode for the Geometry window.

(CLICK-L) on Geometry to make the Geometry window visible.

(CLCK-M) on Geometry to place the Geometry window in Orthographic mode.

Update Maps

Use this control to save changes you've made to texture maps.

(CLICK-L) to save changes to texture maps in memory.

(CLICK-M) to save changes to selected parts.

(SHIFT-M) to save changes to partially visible faces.

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