When I apply the auto decal so I can paint on the model the subdivision lines / patches are showing in the renders. Is there a way to stop the splines from rendering?

Also when I do a test render from with in the modeling area, the only thing that renders is the map of the decal. I have included a copy of each example.


Steve

I don't think that's the patch lines showing through. It seems to be "bleeding" between the tiles on the map. I'm sure Filip will know more.

I haven't a clue about the second image. I'm not sure what you mean.....is that a render of the model window?

Hi Ken

That is right. I tried to save to file a render fromt he model area and this is the projection map

Steve

Hi Steve,

Could you check the 'area growth' option? You can get the effect in your first picture if this value is set to 0 (the default is 2).

[attachmentid=20675]

This option forces 3DPainter to extend the pixels around each patch. This is necessary to avoid 'seams' between patches.

I've simulated this using the horse model from the A:M2006 CD-ROM.

Area growth=0
This is the decal and render after using projection paint with an 'area growth' value of 0:
[attachmentid=20677]
[attachmentid=20680]

Area growth=2
This is the decal and render after using projection paint with an 'area growth' value of 2. The pixels on the borders of the patches are copied outwards (in this case, two pixels). These extra pixels make sure the patches blend well on the model.
[attachmentid=20678]
[attachmentid=20679]


What do you mean with 'projection map'?

Best regards,
Filip

That did it. I had hit "0" in the selection. It looks good!!!!

I still do not know why the when I render to a file from the modeling screen I am getting the flat picture of the model. In the chor and quick render in modeling mode it is working!!!

Thanks again

Steve

I am still having some of the spline / patch lines show up in the renders. Here is a shot of the side view of the horse. Right in the middle you can see the patch line. I have checked the settings and changed to if there is any difference. I have to render multi pass of at least 3 before the lines begin to render out. Other wise a quick render shows all of the patches.

Otherwise I love the flexibility of the program.

Steve

http://www.hash.com/forums/index.php?act=A...st&id=20758

Hi Steve,

Artifacts like the white line in the center can be (mostly) avoided by taking care of the following:
- using a decal that has a high enough resolution.
- select a margin that is high enough (both in the automapping dialog as during projection painting).

As an illustration, I've added two 'automatic decals' to the horse model from the A:M CD and painted them both at once using projection paint. The first decal has a resolution of 1024x1024, while the second one has a resolution of 2048x2048. You see that the first render has a number of 'tile boundary' related artifacts, while the second render looks a lot cleaner.

Decalsize=1024
[attachmentid=20779]

Decalsize=2048
[attachmentid=20780]

In one of the following updates of 3DPainter, the automapping tool will be able take into account the relative sizes of the patches (small patches get less pixels than big patches...), which should result in better usage of the pixels in the decal.

Best regards.
Filip

Thanks for the reply.

Being used to several decals on a project in AM I had used two main decals each being the side of the horse. On the right side of the horse I had used a smaller resolution than on the left side. So that explains the line. Thank you.

I guess my next question, what is the best way to decal a model such as the horse? One decal for the entire body with a high resolution? I used several smaller decals for different parts of the body and used the lock feature to paint those areas. Then you run into the blending of the two decals. So is it better to have one decal and lock off groups while you painting on one decal?

I am so used to photoshop and layers. Since I am still new to Painter is there a feature like layers planned?

Steve

I am finding that one of the great innovations of 3dpainter is that you CAN paint on multiple decals at once - so that you can blend the edges where stamps might overlap - that way you can apply the stamps in A:M in the best orientation for the model part (with the least distortion) - and then blend the edges in painter - very very nice feature.

And of course one can also choose to make those stamps uneditable so that they don't get painted, once you like the edges.

I love this!

Hi,


If you're using the automapping tool, I would suggest using one decal with a high resolution. Only if you have big differences in patch sizes, you might want to consider using multiple decals. Otherwise, the small patches would use too much pixels on the decal.


If you use projection paint, you should be able to paint the different decals at once, including the blending. You just have to take care that you don't paint on parts of the model you don't want to modify. For this, you can either lock some group(s) or use projection paint options like 'Only paint visible pixels' and 'Opacity fall-off'.


My intention is that the layer-like features should be built around the decal concept in A:M: a decal can have a number of images (=layers) that share the stamps of that decal. In 3DPainter, you can already hide/lock the different layers/images, change the transparency of each image,...

Filip

I am still having problems during the rendering of the decal. The lines are showing up no matter what I do. I have done as suggested and have one large projection map. I have left the spacing at the default setting of "2" and still the lines show up. I have moved the setting higher and this seams to do no good. Help please.

Steve

Hi Steve,

Can you maybe send me the model so I can have a look at it?

It's not really possible to give you a set of parameters that will be optimal for all models. If the size of the patches in your model doesn't variate too much, the single decal approach is probably the best. Otherwise, it's better to group the smaller patches together and create a separate decal tiles map for them. In the next update for 3DPainter (which should be available in a few days), there will be a tool that automatically groups patches based on their size, which should make this process of having multiple decal tile maps for one model easier.

Filip

Will it be possible to get a brush larger than 100 px? I have some high rez maps on a model and when I bring it in 3Dpainter 100 is just to small for me to work with. Also I have yet to get painter to launch from the AM plugin, it just hangs there, I can not even force quit from task manager. The models that I have been using are very large so it might be a patch count issue. Ill keep checking.

Chad

If you use projection paint, 100 pixel brushes provide a lot of coverage.

Hi Chad,

The current limit of 100px is chosen because larger brushes use more memory and take slightly longer to initialize. In the next update, I will make the maximum brush size configurable in the preferences window, so that users that want to use larger brushes can do so. Of course, to paste very high details on your model, it might be better to just use the 'Bitmap tool'.

I have sent you a mail with the things you could check to get this working. A high patch count shouldn't be an issue, so it's probably something else.

Best regards,
Filip

I re-read this whole post. I believe my problem is exactly what you have stated. I have some patches on my dog model that are large on the back and top sections of the leg and then in the face and belly and other areas the patches are rather small. So I will do what you have suggested. I will delete the decal and make the map for legs, then one for the body and then one for the head. I will give an up date later tonight

Steve