Properties: Decal

The Decal properties manage object properties for the selected decals.

Decals are non-repeating textures that are applied to the surface of an object with a given projection. They are an easy-to-use way of attaching single images or similar textures to objects without going through the complexity of the texture mapping process. Decals are textures that are placed directly on a specified area of one or more objects.

Some uses for decals include:

• Hanging artwork on walls.
• Placing labels or logos on products.
• Adding signs to the model.
• Creating stained glass windows.

Decal properties

Add decal to selected object
Places a new decal on the object.

Visibility toggle
Shows or hides the decal on the object.

Show/Hide Decal Widget
Turns on the decal widget to allow relocating and resizing the decal. The widget can be adjusting using Rhino commands such as Move, Rotate, Scale, and controlled with the Gumball.

Delete Decal
Deletes the selected decal.

Move Up
Move the selected decal up in the list.

Move Down
Move the selected decal down in the list.

Decal Mapping Style

The mapping style determines how to project the decal onto the object. Use object snaps to help accurately place decals.
The mapping on decals can be:

• Planar
• UV
• Cylindrical
• Spherical

Planar

Use Planar mapping for mapping to flat or gently curved objects.
When using the planar mapping on a curved object, the entire texture must lie behind the surface of the object. Portions of the texture that lie in front of the surface will not be visible.

The action for placing a planar decal is the same as the Rectangle command. Drag a rectangle to define the planar mapping.

Notes:

• The rectangle is constrained to the aspect ratio of the texture. Press and hold the Shift key to unlock the aspect ratio constraint.
• After the rectangle has been defined, the planar decal is created. The xyz position can be edited directly on the decal dialog or the position can be picked by clicking the pick button to the right of the xyz edit boxes.

Planar map properties

UV

Use UV mapping for objects where the decal flows and stretches to fit the surface.
The decal covers the entire object, there is no control over the decal placement. UV mapping uses the u and v parameterization of the surface to bend and stretch the texture.

UV map properties

Cylindrical

Use Cylindrical mapping for placing decals onto objects that curve in one direction.
The cylindrical projection maps the texture onto the cylinder with the texture's vertical axis along the cylinder's axis, and the horizontal axis around the cylinder.

The action for placing a cylindrical decal is the same as the Cylinder command.

Cylindrical map properties

Spherical

Use Spherical mapping for placing decals onto objects that curve in two directions.
The spherical projection maps the texture onto the mapping sphere with the texture's vertical axis (height), curving from pole to pole, and the horizontal axis curving around the equator.

The action for placing a spherical decal is the same as the Sphere command.

Spherical map properties