tile map on decals?

[Jens]

Hi

Would love a feature on a decal equal to when I apply a UVW Xform modifier to an object. Or just a simple "tile" button.

Now I have to do it per map in the material editor and it doesn't always behave nicely + is cumbersome :)

[romullus]

I think tiling is already implemented via real-world scale mapping support.

[maru]

Can you explain why exactly you would like that feature? What tileable thing are you using decals for?

[Aram Avetisyan]

Probably a use case will be to change the UVW Xform/tiling for many decals with one modifier? This can be done by instancing the decals (knowing/planning before), or wiring parameters, which is indeed cumbersome.

I think UVW Xform modifier support for decals is a good idea.

[maru]

@Jens - if you could provide a use case here, that would be great. :)

[jasond]

Tiling a decal would be great! I just had a use for it today, tire tracks. Ended up having to make a super long decal and manually tile it in the bitmap options. Tedious. Same for caution tape, I use it all the time on construction machinery. Workaround has been to create a plane, UVW map to the right size and set the proper tiling. Doesn't work well for non-flat objects though.

Aside from tiling a decal, would be great if you could mask it off, use corona slice or even the slice modifier on them. Use case > mask a length of tire tracks where a moving car hasn't been yet and reveal it as the car moves. I tried to create a moving mask with all three options mentioned as well as a corona distance tex but could not get any to work.

[romullus]

I might sound like a broken record, but what's wrong with real-world mapping? Easy tiling decals just in couple clicks.

Aside from tiling a decal, would be great if you could mask it off, use corona slice or even the slice modifier on them. Use case > mask a length of tire tracks where a moving car hasn't been yet and reveal it as the car moves. I tried to create a moving mask with all three options mentioned as well as a corona distance tex but could not get any to work.

Even that is already achievable if you'd use triplanar and change its mapping source from local to world, or reference node space.


Edit: press on the picture if you want to see GIF

[jasond]

Ah learn something new every day, thanks for that real world mapping tip / clip for tiling. I have it working now.

As for masking part of a decal, are you masking with another object / slicer or within the decal itself?

[romullus]

The idea is, that you don't need to mask anything, if you'll set texture's mapping source to world, or reference node space, it will "stick" in place and you will be able to either move decal, or increase its length and this should create illusion of revealing new tyre tracks.

[jasond]

The idea is, that you don't need to mask anything, if you'll set texture's mapping source to world, or reference node space, it will "stick" in place and you will be able to either move decal, or increase its length and this should create illusion of revealing new tyre tracks.

I see what you mean. Took a bit of trial and error to get triplanar to scale the map properly but it does work as you said. I could move the decal and it sticks but resize doesn't work for this case as the decal object resizes from the centre, not an edge, even when changing the pivot.

[romullus]

I was talking only about decal effect sticking in place, not the decal object, but i see what you mean. You can achieve what you want by simultaneously moving decal half the length of its expansion. Let's say from frame 0 to frame 30 decal expands by 100 units, then if you'll also animate its movement in the same time frame by 50 units, it will look like decal is expanding from the edge and not from the center.

[maru]

It seems that good workarounds were provided here, but anyone would find decal tiling or masking options useful, please log your feature request on our Ideas Portal: https://support.chaos.com/hc/en-us/articles/27701668531729-How-to-request-a-new-feature
You will need to pick "Add a new idea" and describe your feature request in detail.

Thanks in advance!