Editing decal textures

Similar to other textures, decal textures can be edited from the Object Info palette. Depending on map type, decal textures can also be positioned and adjusted with the Attribute Mapping tool. Because decals are texture resources, the texture definition can be edited from the Resource Manager.

Multiple decals can be applied to one object; the decals are applied in a stacking order, which can be changed to adjust the overall effect of the textures.

Multilayered textures and mapping parameters can be transferred between objects with the Eyedropper tool fill attributes (Texture). See Transferring attributes.

Direct decal texture mapping

Decals can be moved, scaled, and rotated with the Attribute Mapping tool. Decal mapping is performed on one decal at a time, separately from the base texture mapping described in Direct texture mapping.

The map type of the underlying texture determines the decal map type. The underlying texture must have planar, spherical, or cylindrical mapping for the decal to be edited with the Attribute Mapping tool.

2. Click the tool. Alternatively, select the Attribute Mapping tool and then click the object with applied decal(s).

3. Select the decal to adjust from the Part list on the Tool bar. The Part list shows the textures mapped to the object, including the base texture.

If the selected part has an unsupported texture underlying the decal (with an auto-align plane, perimeter, or roof mapping type), an alert displays. Select another map type and click Yes to continue.

4. If applicable, select how to scale or rotate the texture from the Tool bar. To adjust the texture about a corner of the editing frame, click Scale/Rotate by Corner mode; to adjust the texture about the center of the editing frame, click Scale/Rotate by Center mode.

5. An editing frame in 2D mapping mode is placed over the decal texture. Set the decal position and rotate or resize the decal as needed.

Editing the decal texture parameters

When a decal has been applied to an object’s overall part or to its parts, its parameters can be adjusted once the decal part has been selected from the Part list on the Object Info palette Render tab. Fewer parameters are available for decal textures than for the base texture, because the base texture determines the mapping type for the object.

Multiple decals applied to an object add to the Part list and also add buttons that allow the decal stacking order to change.

Parameter	Description
Part	Some objects can have different textures (including decals) applied to different parts; Overall indicates that the same texture applies to all different parts of the object. The texture or decal applied to each part displays in parentheses next to the part. To apply a decal to Overall or to a part, select it and then select Add Decal. For more information, see Applying a texture to an object.
Remove Decal	Removes the decal from the currently selected Part; clicking Revert to Overall also removes all decals along with the base texture
Add Decal	Adds a decal to the currently selected Part
Move Up/Down	Decals are stacked in order as they are applied. When more than one decal has been applied to a selected Part, click to move the selected decal up or down in the stacking order.
Texture	Select the texture to apply from a library or the current file
Thumbnail view	Displays a thumbnail view of the selected decal
Reset to Default Mapping	Removes any changes made by the Attribute Mapping tool or in the Object Info palette, restoring the decal to its original location, scale, and rotation
Scale	Determines the texture size when projected onto the object. For example, entering a scale factor of two doubles the size of the texture projection. Either enter a scale value or use the slider to change the scale.
Offset H/V	Sets the start location of the texture horizontally and vertically
Rotation	Sets the angle of texture rotation. Either enter a rotation value from 0 to 360 degrees or use the slider to change the rotation angle.
Update	Updates the drawing display

Editing the decal texture definition

Decals, like other textures, are saved as resources and can be edited from the Object Info palette or the Resource Manager. Decals are masked image-based textures with transparency, but shaders can be added and shader parameters can be changed. For example, you may wish to apply a bump shader (based on the color image shader) to letters in a sign to give them a 3D appearance. By default, the reflectivity of a decal is matte, but this can also be changed. Adjust masking parameters and add vertical and/or horizontal repetitions of the texture if the default single repetition needs to be changed.

Action	Description
To move the decal	Click inside of the editing frame and drag the texture to the desired location on the base texture
To resize the decal	Click a corner handle of the editing frame; the resize cursor displays. Drag to set the editing object to a new scale. Click to set.
To rotate the decal	Click a side handle of the editing frame (the rotate cursor displays) and drag the handle to the new rotation angle. Click to set.