Sculpt layers overview

Sculpt layers let you organize your sculpting and combine forms and details in a non-destructive manner. You can create a layer and then sculpt so that only the new details appear on the new layer. If you need to modify your sculpting on that layer you can either perform additional sculpting on that layer or even remove it without affecting details on the base mesh. Sculpt layers combine in an additive manner. Mudbox's sculpt layers behave much like 2D layer systems of 2D image editing applications such as Photoshop® but record 3D sculpting information.

When sculpting on a layer, Mudbox calculates the difference between the positions of vertices after a tool stroke and their original positions on the base mesh. Only the difference in position (the delta) is stored on the layer. This delta is added to the base mesh and to the deltas stored in all the other layers to arrive at the final shape of the model. As the sculpt layers combine in an additive manner, the order of layers is not important to the final result.

Paint layers are managed through the Layers window, by selecting the Paint display button.

The Layers window menu () contains all the commands for managing either sculpt or paint layers. New layers are inserted directly above the current active layer. It is not possible to reorder layers.

Sculpt layers let you:

Maintain sculpted elements discretely from one another.
Adapt to changes in art direction - Form or Detail on one layer can be modified or removed without affecting information on other layers.
Split surface detail for a shader - For example, you can create texture map sets for a shader with separate channels for skin, mud, warts, and scars, and then store each channel's detail on a separate layer.
Explore different design directions - Create a new layer to try out a new idea. Use the layer masks to selectively blend successful explorations back into the main design by adjusting the Opacity for a layer. For more information, see Amplify, reduce, or invert sculpting on a layer.

NoteA layer is automatically locked to the subdivision level on which it is first edited. The layer is available for modification only when that subdivision level is displayed thereafter. This is important to remember when you need to perform any subsequent operations on that layer e.g. sculpt, erase, change visibility, and so on.