Leo Martínez
Blender is a free and open-source software for 3D modelling, animation, and rendering. It offers a range of tools for texture painting and UV mapping. To paint on a UV map in Blender, you must first unwrap the object to be painted onto a UV map. This can be done using standard unwrapping tools or by adding Simple UVs in Texture Paint mode. Once unwrapped, you can activate the Texture Paint workspace and select the Texture Paint Mode from the mode selector in the header. This will allow you to paint directly onto the mesh. You can also use the Image Editor to paint on a flat canvas that is wrapped around the mesh using UV coordinates. In the UV Editor, you can switch to Paint mode and select a brush to start painting. Additionally, you can use external programs like Photoshop or Krita to edit UV textures and then reload the image in Blender.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Painting tools | GIMP, Krita, Photoshop |
| Blender version | 4.5 LTS |
| Texture painting mode | Texture Paint Mode |
| Image editor mode | Paint |
| Texture paint workspace | Image>Edit Externally |
| UV layout overlay | UV>Export UV Layout |
| UV editor mode | Paint |
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What You'll Learn
Using the UV Editor
To paint on a UV map in Blender, you'll need to use the UV Editor. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:
First, set up your workspace by creating two new screen windows. You can do this by dragging the corners of your work screen. This will give you three perspectives of the model you're working on. The first window should remain in Model Mode, the second should be in UV Mode, and the third should be in Node Editor Mode.
Next, you'll want to switch the Mode to Paint in the UV Editor. You can do this by going to the bottom corner and setting the UV map to paint mode. Now, you can select a brush and start painting. Remember to save your image when you're done by going to Image and selecting Save As Image. You'll know your image hasn't been saved when you see a little star (*) next to the Image in the header.
While painting, you can use multiple colors and adjust options like stroke and the radius of brushes to create your desired effect. You can also rotate UVs to experiment with different orientations. Additionally, you can use the Sidebar region in the Image Editor to select from a full complement of brushes and colors.
If you want to see the UV layout while painting, you can go to the UV Editing workspace and export the UV Layout by going to UV > Export UV Layout. This will provide you with a UV Layout overlay.
Keep in mind that the texture you're painting is just an image that can be saved and edited in external programs like Photoshop if you require more advanced tools or effects that Blender's Texture Paint mode doesn't offer. You can also use external programs if you're working with a team using different software.
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Selecting the right paint tools
To select the right paint tools for painting on a UV map in Blender, you need to consider the specific requirements of your project and the functionality offered by different tools. Here are some factors to keep in mind:
First, you need to decide whether to use Blender's built-in Texture Paint tools or external image editing software. External programs like Photoshop, GIMP, or Krita can be useful if you're working with teams using different software, require specific effects not available in Blender, or simply prefer the tools offered by other programs. However, using Blender's Texture Paint tools has the advantage of allowing you to paint directly onto the 3D model and see the changes in real-time in the 3D Viewport.
Second, within Blender, you can choose between the UV Editor and the Image Editor for painting on UV maps. In the UV Editor, you can switch to Paint Mode, select a brush, and start painting. This mode is useful for working with the UV layout, such as moving coordinates. On the other hand, the Image Editor allows you to paint on a flat canvas that is wrapped around the mesh using UV coordinates. Here, you can access a full range of brushes and colours from the Sidebar region.
Third, Blender offers various Texture Paint addons that can extend the capabilities of the built-in tools. However, these addons may come at a cost, so consider your budget and whether you might be better off using external programs for more advanced features.
Fourth, when painting in Blender, you can choose between traditional UV mapping methods or using Simple UVs in Texture Paint mode. Traditional UVs can be added using standard Unwrapping Tools, while Simple UVs are a quicker option available directly in Texture Paint mode.
Finally, consider the specific tools you need for your project. For example, Blender's Texture Paint workspace offers mask and fill tools but lacks a "magic wand" selection tool. If you require specific selection or editing tools, you may need to use external image editing software in conjunction with Blender.
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Painting directly onto the 3D model
To paint directly onto a 3D model in Blender, you must first unwrap the object to be painted on. You can add UVs using standard Unwrapping Tools or by adding Simple UVs in Texture Paint mode. Once you have unwrapped your model to a UV map, you can start texturing.
To paint directly onto the mesh, activate the Texture Paint workspace. In the 3D Viewport, select Texture Paint Mode from the mode selector in the header. You can also switch to Paint mode in the Image Editor. Once enabled, your cursor will become a brush, and you can begin painting on the 3D model.
Any changes made in the Image Editor will immediately show up in the 3D Viewport and vice versa. You can select from a full range of brushes and colours in the Sidebar region of the Image Editor. Remember to save your work as Blender does not automatically save modified textures.
If you want more advanced tools, you can use an external image editor like Photoshop or Krita. You can export the UV layout and then import the modified image back into Blender. This is useful if you want to apply specific effects not available in Blender or if you are working with teams using different programs.
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Using external programs
To paint on a UV map in Blender using external programs, you must first unwrap your 3D model to a UV map. This can be done by going into the UV/Image Editor in Blender and selecting "UVs" to export the UV layout. This will give you a UV template image that can be painted over in an external program.
You can use external programs such as Photoshop or similar image editing software to paint on the UV map. This is useful if you are working with teams using different programs or if you require specific tools that are not available in Blender. For example, if you need to use a "magic wand" type tool, you would need to use an external program as Blender does not have this feature.
Once you have unwrapped your model and exported the UV layout, you can open the UV template image in your chosen external program. Make sure to keep your UV images in a separate directory from other images as they are functionally different. The image format for saving UV images is typically PNG (.png).
After making your desired edits in the external program, you can then load the UV image back into Blender. Your painted UV map will now be applied to your 3D model.
It is important to note that when using external programs, you may encounter limitations with overlapping UVs, especially when texture baking. This can be avoided by zooming out or using an orthographic viewport. Additionally, when painting in perspective mode onto a low-poly object with normals pointing away from the view, painting may fail. In this case, you can disable the Normal Falloff option in the stroke settings.
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Saving your work
When painting on a UV map in Blender, it is important to save your work to avoid losing progress. Here are some detailed instructions on saving your work:
Saving in Blender:
Before beginning the texturing process, ensure that your object is unwrapped to a UV map. Once you are satisfied with your work, you can save it by going to "Image" in the header menu and selecting "Save Image" or "Save Image As" to either overwrite the original image or save it with a different name. You can also force Blender to automatically save images into the blend file by enabling the "Pack" option in the settings. However, this is not recommended by default as it can make the blend files large.
Saving with External Programs:
If you prefer using an external image editing program like GIMP, Krita, or Photoshop, you will need to save your work separately. First, make any desired changes to the image in your chosen program and resave it within that program. Then, go back to Blender and reload the updated image in the Image Editor. This method is useful if you are working with teams using different programs or if you want to apply special effects not available in Blender's Texture Paint mode.
Exporting UV Layouts:
If you want to export your UV layout to create a texture in an external program, you can do so by using Blender's UV Layout tool. This tool saves the image in Targa (.tga), EPS, or SVG format, providing a guide for the artist to use in their paint program. Once the texture is complete, you can import it back into Blender.
Remember that saving your work is crucial to avoid losing progress, and always remember to save your image separately from the image editor or pack it into the blend file to avoid any unexpected issues.
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Frequently asked questions
First, set up side-by-side areas, one in 3D Viewport set to Texture shading, and the second with the Image Editor loaded with your image. Position the 3D Viewport to show the object that is UV-mapped to the image. Then, switch to Texture Paint Mode in the 3D Viewport and Paint mode in the Image Editor. Now you can paint directly onto the mesh.
To see the UV layout, go to the UV Editing workspace, and on the left panel, go to UV > Export UV Layout.
There are no "magic wand" type tools in Blender's Texture Paint workspace. However, you can use mask and fill tools. Alternatively, you can export the UV layout and work on it in an external image editor like Photoshop or Krita.
To save your work, use Save Image or Save Image As in the Image Editor.
