Sculpting >
Sculpt using curve guides

Curves can be used to create controlled strokes when you sculpt on a model by acting as two-dimensional guides for your sculpt and paint strokes.

Curves are useful for creating features such as ridges on armor, hair-like strokes for hair, or for adding details on hard inorganic-shaped models.

Curves can also be used to achieve an even tool stamp effect along a path by using the Stroke On Curve feature.

NoteCurves appear on a 2D plane that is fixed to the camera view. As you tumble, dolly, or track the camera, any existing curves appear fixed in the camera view. For more information on repositioning curves in relation to the camera plane, see Move, rotate, or scale a curve guide.

Create a curve guide

Do either of the following:

- Use existing curve by selecting Create > Curves. Choose one of the preset curves from the menu (for example: Circle, French Curve,Square, or Straight Line).
- Construct your own curve by placing points as follows:

1. Select Curves > Create Curve. (Hotkey: Ctrl + C)
2. Click in the 3D View to place points.
3. To complete a curve, select Curves > End Curve or press Enter.
4. To join the end of a curve to its start point, select Curves > Close Curve.

Hide and show curve guides

Do any of the following:

- In the Object List, click the visibility icon (eye) beside a curve to turn off its display. Click the visibility icon location again to display the curve guide.
- Select Display > Hide All Curves. Select Display > Show All to show the curve again.
- Press Ctrl + H (Windows) or Command + Shift + H (Mac OS X) to hide all curves in the 3D View. Press U to show all.

Delete a curve guide

1. Right-click the curve in the Object List then select Delete from the menu that appears.

Snap to a curve guide

Sculpting tools snap to a curve whenever the tool is close to a curve or over the model.

Add points to a curve guide

1. Select the curve in the Object List to make it editable, then do one of the following:
   - Click an empty area within the 3D View to adds points to the selected curve.
   - Click in the 3D View on an existing point of a curve to select and drag it to another position.
2. To exit editing mode and return to sculpting, press Enter.

Move, rotate, or scale a curve guide

The controls for moving curves in the 3D View are similar to the camera controls, only you press C instead of Alt.

To: | Keyboard shortcut: (Windows): | Keyboard shortcut: (Mac OS X) | Action/Results
--- | --- | --- | ---
Create a curve | Ctrl + C | Command + C | Activates curve creation mode. Click in the 3D View to place points for the curve.
End a Curve | Enter | Return | Completes the curve and exits curve editing mode.
Rotate a curve | C + left button | C + left button | Press the C key while dragging the mouse/stylus and pressing the left button. The curve rotates about its center.
Translate a curve | C + middle button | C + middle button | Press the C key while dragging the mouse/stylus and pressing the middle button. The curve moves across the 3D View.
Scale a curve | C + right button | C + right button | Press the C key while dragging the mouse/stylus and pressing the right button. The curve increases or decreases in size.

Apply a repeating stamp effect using a curve guide

You can sculpt a repeating stamp effect using the Stroke On Curve feature. Stroke On Curve is useful when you want an evenly applied stroke or an evenly repeated stamp effect along a path you define using a curve. For example, the simulation of rivets along the edge of a surface, or stitching along the edge of a chair.

1. Select a Sculpt tool you want stamped repeatedly along a curve path and adjust its Sculpt properties in the Properties window.
2. Construct a curve to guide your sculpt stroke.
3. Select the curve from the Object List.
4. Select Curves > Stroke On Curve. (Hotkey: Shift + C)
5. Set the Equal Spacing and Number of Stamps options then click OK.

NoteFor a curve to be used with Stroke On Curve, its start point must be over the model.
TipYou can create curves and save them as a .mud file so they appear in the Create > Curves menu the next time you launch Mudbox. Save them to: (Windows) <drive>:\My Documents\Mudbox\2011\data\Curves and (Mac OS X) /Users/<username>/Library/Application Support/Autodesk/Mudbox 2011/Curves.

Related topics

Curves menu

Display