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Change the appearance of decals

Apply decals

Working with decals in the scene

 

Materials > Apply decals > 

Move decals on objects

Decals can be positioned on objects in the scene using either the local decal texture mapping controls (similar to image mapping), or by transforming the decal grip in the scene. These two methods of transformation have different advantages.

• Decal texture mapping affects the way the decal texture (and any linked image map) is applied to the object, as well as the location, rotation, scale and depth relative to the object it is assigned to.
• The decal grip controls the location and rotation of the entire decal (including all maps) relative to each object in the scene it is applied to.

  In cases where an object with a decal applied to it is transformed, the decal grip is also transformed so that the relative decal mapping remains.

  

Mapping decal textures

To adjust the mapping of decal textures on objects:

1. Select the decal grip for the decal you wish to adjust.
   NoteIf you select more than one decal grip and adjust the mapping, the decals are aligned in the scene with identical mapping values.
2. Press Ctrl+M to open the Material Properties dialog for decals.

   

3. In the Decal section of the dialog, adjust the mapping type and location using the Image Map controls.
   • To link the mapping of other image maps in the material to the decal texture, see Link texture settings for image maps.
   • To adjust the UV mapping of a decal texture, see the topic Link texture settings for image maps and its section Move image maps with parametric (UV) mapping.
   • To adjust the projection (Planar, Triplanar, Cylinder) mapping of a decal texture, see Link texture settings for image maps and its section Move image maps with projection mapping.
   • To adjust the tiling of a decal texture, see Turn off texture tiling.

Quickly move the decal texture

To quickly make adjustments to the position, rotation, or scale of a decal texture:

1. Select the decal grip for the decal you wish to adjust.
   NoteIf you select more than one decal grip and move their textures, the decals are aligned in the scene with identical mapping properties.
2. Press Shift+M to begin the Move Texture tool for the selected decals.

   The texture manipulator for the decal texture will appear, and the Materials Properties dialog will open.

   

   The Heads Up Display (HUD) provides instructions for using the texture manipulator.

   • Adjust the decal texture position by clicking and dragging on the “direction arrow” handles, or the center “planar” handle.
   • Adjust the rotation by clicking and dragging on the “curved arrow” handles between each direction arrow.
   • Adjust the scale (and depth of projection) by clicking and dragging on the “box” handles at the ends of each direction arrow, or on the center “uniform scale” box.
   • Ctrl-click on a surface to position the decal texture at that point, or click and drag while holding the Ctrl key to drag the decal texture across surfaces.

     For more information on using the texture manipulator, see Link texture settings for image maps and its section Move image maps with projection mapping.

3. Press ESC to stop the Move Texture, or press the Stop Moving button in the Material Properties window.

Adjust decal projection depth

Decals projected with the Planar mapping method also have depth control perpendicular to the projection plane. This is useful when multiple or combined objects have a decal applied to them and the decal appears to project too far through them.

To adjust the depth of a Planar decal:

1. Select the decal grip for the decal you wish to adjust.
   NoteIf you select more than one decal grip and adjust the mapping, the decals are aligned in the scene with identical mapping properties.
2. Press Shift+M to begin the Move Texture tool for decals (or open the Material Properties window and press the Move Texture button in the Decal section).

   The Planar texture manipulator for the decal texture will appear:

   

3. Click and drag on the blue box above the depth direction handle to adjust the depth. The grey outlines will indicate the overall depth of the projection.

   

Transform decal grips

Decal grips can be transformed like any other object in the scene using standard transform controls. Transforming a decal grip moves a decal relative to all objects in the scene. Decal grips are automatically transformed when the object the decal is assigned to is transformed.

To transform a decal with its grip:

1. Select the decal grip for the decal you wish to adjust.
   NoteIf you select more than one decal grip and transform the grips, the decals will not have their mappings aligned, but will move relative to all objects in the scene.
2. Press the H key (or Edit > Show Transform Handles), and click and drag on the 3D handles to interactively transform the grip. See Move, scale, and rotate objects visually.
3. Or, press the Shift and H keys (or Edit > Transform... ) to open the relative transforms dialog. See Move, rotate and scale objects by typing numbers.
4. Or, select Edit > Transform Properties... to open the absolute transforms dialog and view and edit all transform properties. See Move, rotate and scale objects by typing numbers.