Export paint layers

NoteWhen you save a model, Mudbox automatically saves any paint layers in the same directory as your .mud file. See also Save paint layers.

Exporting paint layers is useful if you want to further edit or enhance the image in an image editing application, or convert the paint layer into another file format. You can export paint layer images in any format that Mudbox supports, including PTEX and Photoshop files.

First, decide how you want to export layers:

To export a single paint layer

Select the paint layer you want to export in the Paint Layers window.
Right-click the layer or open the Layers window menu (), and select Export Selected.
In the Export Paint Layer window that appears, select a directory and image format file type, then enter a name for the image and click Save.

To merge and export all layers within a channel

Do either of the following:
- In the Paint Layers window, select a layer within the channel you want to export, then right-click or select > Export Channel Merged.
  (In the file browser that appears, enter a name for the exported paint layer then click Save.)
  
  Mudbox exports a single image file that merges all paint layers in the selected channel.
- Follow the steps in either of the procedures below, ensuring that you turn on Merge all layers in each channel in the Export All Paint Layers window.

NoteThe paint layers are merged in the exported image file, but remain separate in Mudbox. You can continue painting on the separate layers.

To export all paint layers for an active or selected model

Do either of the following:
- Select the model(s) with paint layers you want to export. (See Select and move items.)
- Ensure the model whose layers you want to export is active in the scene.
Select File > Export All Paint Layers from the main menu bar.
In the Export All Paint Layers window that appears, use the Export Paint Layers for drop-down list to select the model(s) whose layers you want to export:
- Select Active Model to export layers for only the last active model.
- Choose Selected Models to export layers for the selected model(s).
NoteThe Active Model option updates to display the name of the active model, and Selected Models updates to display the number of selected models.
(Optional) To export a single image file per channel, turn on Merge all layers in each channel.
Mudbox merges all layers within each channel, then exports a single, merged layer for each channel.
Set any other file save options you want, including adjustments to the File Name Template, then click Export.
All paint layers for the selected model are saved in the directory you specified in the Export All Paint Layers window. By default, layers are saved to your Data directory.

To export all paint layers

Select File > Export All Paint Layers from the main menu bar.
In the Export All Paint Layers window that appears, ensure that the Export Paint Layers for drop-down list is set to All Models.
(Optional) To export a single image file per channel, turn on Merge all layers in each channel.
Mudbox merges all layers within each channel, then exports a single, merged layer for each channel.
Set any other file save options you want, including adjustments to the File Name Template (used to create file names for all the saved paint layer files), then click Export.
TipWhen exporting all layers for multiple Ptex meshes that share the same material, add $O to the File Name Template field in the Export All Paint Layers options to ensure files for all objects are saved separately.
(Using the $O wildcard character appends the object name to each paint layer file name.)

All paint layers in the scene are saved using the file naming convention and the directory you specified in the Export All Paint Layers window.

Export paint layers

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