Curves help create controlled strokes by acting as guides for brush strokes.
Curves are useful for creating features such as ridges on armor, hair-like strokes for hair, or for adding details on hard inorganic-shaped meshes.
Curves can be used to achieve a constant brush stroke along a path by using the Stroke On Curve feature.
Creating a curve
- To create a curve, select Curves > Create Curve. (Hotkey: Ctrl + C)
- To complete a curve, select Curves > End Curve or press Enter. (Hotkey: Enter)
- To join the end of a curve to its start point, select Curves > Close Curve.
Snapping to a curve
- Sculpting brushes snap to a curve whenever the brush is close to the curve, wherever the curve is over the mesh.
- The Snapping properties for a brush are set in the Advanced brush properties (Snap to Curve, Snap Distance).
Editing a curve
- Select a curve in the Object List (
) to make it
editable. - When editing a curve, use the cursor to add points to the active curve and reposition any others.
- To return to sculpting and leave Curve Editing mode, press Enter. (Hotkey: Enter)
Moving a curve
The controls for moving curves in the 3D View are similar to the camera's. Use c instead of Alt.
| To: | Hotkey | Action/Results |
| Rotate | c + LMB | Press c then click-drag in the 3D View with the left mouse button. The curve rotates around its center. |
| Translate | c + MMB | Press c then click-drag in the 3D View while pressing the middle mouse button. The curve moves across the 3D view. |
| Scale | c + RMB | Press c then click-drag in the 3D View while pressing the right mouse button. The curve increases or decreases in size. |
| Create a curve | Ctrl + c | Begins curve creation mode. Click in the 3D View to place points. |
| End a Curve | Enter | Completes the curve and exits curve editing mode. |
Deleting a curve
- Right-click on the curve in the Object List then select Delete from the menu that appears.
Creating a constant stroke using a curve
- Select the curve to be used for the constant stroke.
- Select Curves > Stroke On Curve. (Hotkey: Shift + C)
- Set the Equal Spacing and Number of Stamps options then click OK.
Note: For a curve to be used with Stroke On Curve, its beginning point must be over the mesh.
Tips for working with curves
- You can create curves and save them as a .mud file for future use.
- Save them to: C:\Program Files\Mudbox\Mudbox 1.0\curves
- They will appear in the Create > Curves menu the next time Mudbox is launched.