Brush Alpha Alignment to Screen Space

Feature Request
1

Description:
I would like to request the addition of a feature that allows the brush Alpha to align to screen space instead of the surface of the 3D model. This alignment mode would keep the Alpha’s orientation consistent with the screen view, regardless of the model’s surface curvature.

I can see there is a selection between screen and 3d in the Tools panel, but that doesn’t do what I describe here.

Benefits:

  • Enables the projection of details that stretch consistently along the sides of a model, which is particularly useful for creating intricate rock surfaces and similar effects.
  • Provides greater control over the appearance and distribution of Alpha patterns, making it easier to achieve desired textures and details.

Implementation Suggestion:
Introduce an option in the brush settings to switch between surface alignment and screen space alignment for the Alpha. This could be implemented as a toggle or a setting within the existing brush configuration interface.

2 Likes
2

That’s the tile option in stroke menu.

3

The tile option? I don’t think that’s what I mean.

Just imagine a projector projecting onto a sphere. The sides will be stretched. This effect can give some nice natural looking rock effect.

4

Tile option does work in screen-space (it cannot work on the surface).

Usually the stretch isn’t what people wants.
I might add the option in the alpha menu though.

1 Like
5

The current WebDemo now has this option - can you please show an application example of what can be done better with it than before this option?

It can’t just be useful only for stones or rock, right?

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Maybe a short video.
Unfortunately I still have no idea what I should use it for.

6

Thanks for the replies.
I have tried the web demo. Unfortunately it’s not exactly working the way it should.

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If projected from this angle……

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…the stretching alpha at the top should not result in a perfectly straight manner. Also, if it was screen space, the stretching direction seems wrong.

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Stretched but not 100%. So this doesn’t seem to be actual screen space.

I will make a better example tomorrow using 3dcoat. I think there it did work as intended.

7

Hey Holger,

Well, this method is very useful for landscapes and rocks because it’s unpredictable and can give results hard to sculpt otherwise. Unfortunately I have not found another use-case.

Rocks are holy though :grin:

8

Could be something like ZBrush’s stencil mode (In Nomad it could work the same as reference images, except in the foreground and with an additional repeat setting)

downside maybe in Zbrush I think there’s no “midpoint” like concept, it’s more like a mask

9

It would work better if area sampling → normal is at 100% (filter menu)
And falloff → smoothstep.

1 Like