3ds Max - Projecting decals

Tili · Nov 2013

Hey,

Is there a way to project a decal on multiple objects in 3ds max that is viewable in the viewport? Everything I find either mentions extra uv channels or to use a light with a projector map, but that isn't viewable in the viewport either.

Ideally I want to be able project any decal texture on any number of objects. Is this possible in 3ds Max?

Eric Chadwick · Nov 2013

Floating mesh works just fine, with alpha blending. This is typically how games do it, for graffiti and the like.

Mark Dygert · Nov 2013

Using a "composite map" in the diffuse slot can get the job done.
http://www.cgrats.com/apply-decals-using-a-composite-map.html

But what you probably want is something more like this:
[ame="

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ge59E3n7gwo"]turboTools - Decal Projector ( 3DS Max) - YouTube[/ame]
which I don't think Matt released (perhaps you should poke him and see if he ever finished it? He is a polycounter).

melviso · Apr 2019

Eric Chadwick said:

Floating mesh works just fine, with alpha blending. This is typically how games do it, for graffiti and the like.

what if u want a displacement map on particular part of the mesh and the displacement map goes inwards. Wont the mesh under block the floating decal or u are supposed to use decals with bump and normals only?. 3dsmax needs a projector system.

musashidan · Apr 2019

@melviso Max has a projection modifier.

And yes, displacement maps are affecting the geometry, unlike bump/normal maps.

melviso · Apr 2019

Oh.. Thans. Didn't know that.
Found this. Hopefully, others might find it useful:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_MG9yMbh-Y

Klunk · Apr 2019

Why can't you use additional UV channels to achieve this ? With the right shader it would appear in the viewport.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5021068/uploads/editor/ih/0i6s75byoin3.gif

standard composite mat, with pow set to map channel 2 (no tiling) and planar map set to channel 2 (pow is just an 32 bit bmp). Though you have to be careful as it would appear on the backside too

melviso · Apr 2019

This method is cool but since it would show behind is the main downside to this, also ur textures in the composite map node and uvmap modifiers are going to build up a lot, if u want to use that texture a number of times. With floating decals, u can use a sheet of several decals, cut them up and slap them onto the mesh multiple times, makes things faster like this:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66IGMnPgEW0

Problem is how would u use this for curved surface like ur example. This is one did not require the projection modifier as well.

musashidan · Apr 2019

@melviso you can use the clavertech script. It will skinwrap the decal to any curved surface. Obviously you need the extra geo to support deformation.

melviso · Apr 2019

@musahidan Thanks for the info. Checking it out now!!

musashidan · Apr 2019

@melviso sorry mate, didn't have time to link this earlier

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2uzjB-RxCW8

melviso · Apr 2019

@musahidan Yeah, I saw it already. Thanks a lot. It does not skinwrap though. Say I want to place a rectangular subdivided plane on a sphere, it doesn't wrap around the sphere.
I also saw rapid tools:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vqay1_giSgk

Is there something I am doing wrong bc this video shows clavertech can't do it unless there are newer features addded after this video was made?

Eric Chadwick · Apr 2019

Look up Conform Compound Object in the help.

melviso · Apr 2019

@Eric Chadwick I tried it but it's too limited to use. It would be nice to rotate, scale and move the decal as its snapped to the curved surface. I think rapid tools seems the best here. It's free btw:

https://rapidmxs.com/product/rapidtools-v1-14/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaQT0dusUyA&pbjreload=10

Also the suggestion by @Klunk is good as well. The workaround would be to cut the sphere into two objects so it doesn't show behind.

Eric Chadwick · Apr 2019

Conform Space Warp is also worth a look.

musashidan · Apr 2019

Sorry mate, it could be the rapid tools one I was thinking of. Haven't used it in ages so must have mixed them up. Whichever one uses the skinwrap.

Millenia · Apr 2019

melviso said:

This method is cool but since it would show behind is the main downside to this, also ur textures in the composite map node and uvmap modifiers are going to build up a lot, if u want to use that texture a number of times. With floating decals, u can use a sheet of several decals, cut them up and slap them onto the mesh multiple times, makes things faster like this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66IGMnPgEW0

Problem is how would u use this for curved surface like ur example. This is one did not require the projection modifier as well.

Nice to see my video still floating about despite not being a very deep touch on the subject haha, what I usually do for curved surfaces is I'll make a copy of the mesh, cut the shape out I want and use a Push modifier to offset it slightly. Blender has really good tools for it with Decalmachine these days but Max doesn't have any easy shortcuts for making good decal geometry.

melviso · Apr 2019

@Eric Chadwick Thanks, Eric.
@musashidan No worries, mate. Thanks for the help. Very much appreciated :- )
@Millenia Thanks a ton for the video. Still very relevant to this day. I think a combination of all methods where required is the answer. I don't need to use only one technique for curved surfaces.

melviso · Apr 2019

@Eric Chadwick
@Millenia
@musashidan
What about Trim sheets? How does this technique compare to decals? Is it better in terms of performance, rendering etc?

Eric Chadwick · Apr 2019

Different technique, separate use cases. Trim sheets are for making modular, well, trims. Decals are primarily for adding unique details.

The decal rendering method can vary, with different costs and benefits, etc. It's all variable, specific.

melviso · Apr 2019

Thanks, Eric.

bleedingneons · Apr 2024

Klunk said:

Why can't you use additional UV channels to achieve this ? With the right shader it would appear in the viewport.

standard composite mat, with pow set to map channel 2 (no tiling) and planar map set to channel 2 (pow is just an 32 bit bmp). Though you have to be careful as it would appear on the backside too

Could you elaborate more on how to do this? I'm trying to recreate the same effect as seen in the gif, but I'm struggling.

Eric Chadwick · Apr 2024

Here you go!

3ds Max - Projecting decals

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