Assigning Mapping
To assign mapping to the surfaces, Shaper has two methods: the extraction of mapping predefined in the CAD tool before importing into Patchwork 3D, and the creation of mapping by projecting a geometric grid onto the surface.
Several types of projection may be used: planar projection, spherical projection, cylindrical projection, etc. The appropriate choice of the projection method makes it possible to obtain a regular or almost regular grid on the majority of surfaces and thus to minimize the deformation of the materials that will be applied in Matter.
Adjusting the projection parameters is facilitated by using gizmos. A gizmo is the symbolic representation of a projection in a 3D view. They are in the form of simplified 3D objects attached to surfaces.
Each is positioned in space relative to the pivot of the surface to which it is attached. The relative position of a gizmo with respect to its surface is therefore not modified when you move the surface.
A certain number of parameters influence the projection: by modifying the position, the orientation, the length, the height and the width of the gizmo, you can squash or stretch the mapping grid along the main projection axes.
To assign mapping to a surface, select the surface and choose a mapping function in Type drop-down menu of the Mapping box.
The gizmo represents the two main axes U and V of the projected grid. The U axis corresponds by default to the horizontal line of the materials, and the V axis to the vertical line. Certain gizmos project several grids onto the surface and locally select the most suitable one.