[ Substance 3D Painter ] How to create decals

You can use Assets materials to create decals such as text and symbols.
You can also layer multiple decal materials using the Light Max blend mode.

In this article, I would like to confirm how to create the following decals.
・How to make a decal
・How to blend multiple decals

How to make a decal

1. Select the texture set you want to edit from [ Texture Set List ].
2. Click the [ Add Fill layer ] icon to add a fill layer.
   
   Set the base color and texture of the decal.
   For more information on fill layers, please see this page.
3. Click the [ Add mask ] icon and select [ Add black mask ].
   
4. Click the [ Add effect ] icon and select [ Add fill ].
   
5. Select [ alphas > Fonts ] from [ Assets ] and drag and drop any font to [ grayscale ].
   
   Example: Here I am using [ Font Black Ops One ].
   [Font Black Ops One] allows you to change the font content.
6. Adjust parameters, change texture projection method, adjust position, repeat, etc.
   Example: Here, the projection method is set to Planar projection and the repeat setting is None.
   
   When you switch to Planar projection, a manipulator will appear and the [ Surface Tool ] will appear at the top of the screen.
   [ Surface Tool ] allows you to make adjustments along the surface of the mesh.
   
7. If the decal appears on the back mesh, enable [ Backface Culling ].
   

How to blend multiple decals

1. With the decal layer created earlier selected, duplicate it using Ctrl + [ D ].
   
2. Change the blending mode to [ Lighten Max ].
   
3. Select [ alphas > Geometric ] from [ Assets ] and drag and drop any material to [ grayscale ].
   
   Example: Here we use [ Circle Double ].
4. Adjust parameters, change texture projection method, adjust position, repeat, etc.
   Example: Here, the projection method is set to Planar projection and the repeat setting is None.
   
5. If the decal appears on the back mesh, enable [ Backface Culling ].
   

By changing the blending mode to [ Lighten Max ], the decals on the lower layer will be visible even when they overlap.

Summary

We have confirmed how to create decals using materials from Assets.

By overlaying and blending grunge material onto the decal you created, you can add a faded expression.
For more information on how to blend grunge materials, please see this page.

On the next page, we'll learn how to add and adjust heightmaps using alphas materials!
Next page Let’s go!