Stencils work in combination with the Sculpting Tools and let you use images to apply interesting sculpted details and features to a mesh.
Stencils function in a similar manner as their real world counterparts. Black values in the Stencil image act as opaque regions that fully protect the mesh while white areas in the Stencil image act as transparent regions that allow the brush to pass through and affect the mesh. Areas outside the Stencil image are regarded as black and remain unaffected.
Stencils are useful for sculpting interesting features such as scales, veins, and other regular and irregular textured effects that would otherwise be difficult to achieve. You can also use images of lines, text, and geometric shapes as Stencils to further aid in sculpting.
Stencils can be easily moved, rotated, or scaled in the 3D View while sculpting.
Note: A mesh must be subdivided to an appropriate level for the detail in the Stencil image to be applied.
To sculpt using a Stencil
- In the Sculpting Tools tray, select a brush.
- In the Stencil tray, select a Stencil image. The Stencil appears in the center of the 3D View.
- In the 3D View, click-drag over the Stencil to apply detail to the mesh. The selected Stencil remains active until you turn it off or select another Stencil.
Note: You can translate, rotate, or scale the Stencil in the 3D View.
To turn off a Stencil
Do one of the following:
- In the Stencil Tray, select the Off icon.
- Press q.
To move a Stencil in the 3D View
The controls for moving a Stencil in the 3D View are similar to the camera's. Use "s" instead of "Alt".
| Stencil Action | Hotkeys | Action/Results |
| Rotate | s + LMB | Press s then click-drag in the 3D View while pressing the left mouse button. The Stencil rotates about its center. |
| Translate | s + MMB | Press s then click-drag in the 3D View while pressing the middle mouse button. The Stencil moves in the 3D View. |
| Scale | s + RMB | Press s then click-drag in the 3D View while pressing the right mouse button. The Stencil increases or decreases in size. |
| On or off | Q | Turns the Stencil on or off. |
To edit Stencil properties
Do one of the following:
- In the Stencil Tray, select the Stencil image, then edit its properties in the Properties window.
- Select the Stencil in the Object List (
), then edit its
properties in the Properties window. - Right-click on the Stencil in the Object List (), and select
Properties from the menu that appears. Edit the properties in the
new Properties window.
To import Stencil images
Do any of the following:
- Stencil tray - Clicking on an image in the
Stencil tray will make the stencil active and uses the selected
image as the stencil image until you select another or turn off the
Stencil. You can also load new images into the Stencil tray by
using the tray's
menu to Add > Stencil.
- Properties window - Clicking on an image in the Stencil tray or on the Stencil in the Object List will display the Stencil properties in the Properties window. Use the Import command in the Properties window to load in an image for the Stencil. If you will want to use this stencil again frequently, use Store to save the image to the desired tray as a preset.
- Image Browser - Select an image using the
Image Browser then select the button to copy
the image path to the stencil.