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Create and edit paint layers using Photoshop

Paint layers can be exported from Mudbox as Adobe® Photoshop® files (.psd file format). The .psd format files can either be edited or used as reference layers within Photoshop, saved, and subsequently re-imported to update the original paint layers within Mudbox.

This feature reduces the number of steps required to work between Mudbox and Photoshop by sharing files in a more seamless manner, and takes advantage of the powerful features within each application. The two workflows possible are:

- Export an existing paint layer from the paint layer editor with an extra layer that contains an image of the UV layout so you can create and edit your paint textures using the UV layout as a reference. For more information, see Export a paint layer with UV layout.
- Export an image of your model as it appears in the 3D View so you can create new paint textures or edit existing ones using the tools within Photoshop using your 3D model view as a reference. For more information, see Export a paint layer of the 3D View.

Export a paint layer with UV layout

1. (Working within Mudbox) In the Layers window, ensure the display button is set to Paint.
2. Select the paint layer you want to export.
3. From the Layers window menu ( ), select Export Selected. (Right -clicking the paint layer also displays the same menu).

   The Save As window appears.

4. Select a directory, enter a filename, and then set the image format file type to: Photoshop {8bit, RGBA} (.psd) before clicking Save.

   Exporting a paint layer as a .psd format file from the paint layer window creates a file containing two layers:

   - Mudbox Layer - The paint layer you selected for export
   - UV Mesh - A layer that includes an image of the UV texture coordinates (based on how they appeared on the base subdivision level for the model) that is aligned with the paint layer you selected. The UV layer is intended to be used as a reference for your texture creation and editing work in Photoshop.
5. (Working within Photoshop) Open the .psd file containing the paint layer you saved in Mudbox.

   The Layers window in Photoshop (Hotkey: F7) displays the paint layers you exported from Mudbox with the UV Mesh layer above the paint layer in the list. You can keep the UV Mesh layer displayed or turn it off as required.

   NoteWhen editing the file in Photoshop, do not change the Layer blend mode setting. Only the Normal blend mode setting is supported when the .psd file is subsequently re-imported into Mudbox.
6. Perform any paint work or edits as required on the Mudbox Texture layer using the tools within Photoshop.
7. After completing your texture creation/editing work in Photoshop, save the file by selecting File > Save. Ensure that the paint you created or edited is on the bottom layer of the Photoshop layer editor.
   NoteWhen you re-import the .psd file into Mudbox, it reads only the bottom layer of the Photoshop file. That is, it ignores the UV Mesh layer and any other layers above the bottom layer. If you have created other paint layers in the file you should merge them down to the bottom layer for the version of the file you want imported to Mudbox. Otherwise, these additional layers are ignored.
8. (Working within Mudbox) If you have not saved your Mudbox scene since exporting the paint layer, the connection between the paint layer and the exported .psd file will still exist. Right-click the paint layer in the Layers window within Mudbox and select Refresh Selected to update the original paint layer with your Photoshop edits. Otherwise, right-click the layer and select Import Layer.

Export a paint layer of the 3D View

1. (Working within Mudbox) Set up your model in the 3D View as you would like it to appear on the paint layer in your Photoshop file. That is, dolly, track or tumble the view as required.
2. In the Paint Layers window, select the diffuse paint layer you want to be exported with the image of the 3D View. Temporarily hide any diffuse layers that are not required by clicking the visibility button.
   NoteDiffuse paint layers are the only layer type available for export and re-import using this workflow.
3. Export an image of the screen by selecting File > Export Screen to PSD...

   The Export Screen to PSD... window appears.

4. To save an image of the current 3D View, click Use Screen Size, otherwise, click either the Use 2X Screen Size or Use 4X Screen Size buttons if a larger resolution is desired, or specify a custom Width and Height for the image (in pixels), and then select Export to PSD...
   NoteIf you enter custom Width and Height values, ensure that the resulting image aspect ratio matches the screen resolution exactly. Otherwise, the texture may not align correctly with the model when it’s re-imported. Using an exact integer multiple of the current screen size is recommended.
5. In the file browser window that appears, set the directory path, enter a filename, then click Save.
   NoteWhen you save the PSD image, Mudbox automatically launches Photoshop and opens the image in the canvas view. This will not occur if Photoshop is not installed on your computer or the file association between the .psd file format type and the Photoshop application has not been set. For more information, see Troubleshoot paint layers.

   Exporting a paint layer as a .psd format file using the Export Screen to PSD feature saves an image of the 3D View. This is a useful method if you want to create or edit textures using a view of your 3D model as a reference. The .psd file that is created using this method contains five layers (listed in order from bottom to top):

   - Background (Locked) - A layer containing an image of the background and camera information for the 3D View. The numerical string listed after the layer name records camera position information to set 3D View back to its exact location when you re-import the PSD file after editing in Photoshop. This layer is locked by default and should not be modified.
     NoteEditing the numerical string after the layer name or the image on the background layer will result in the texture not aligning correctly when the PSD file is re-imported to Mudbox. You should not resize the 3D View in Mudbox between the time of export and re-import.
   - Mudbox Geometry (Locked) - This layer contains a screen capture of your model(s) as it appeared within the 3D View. It displays a non-shaded repview (flat shaded) of the model with the assigned shading material. This layer is used to accurately composite any paint edits you make when the file is re-imported to Mudbox. This layer is locked by default and should not be modified.
   - Mudbox Original Texture (Locked) - This layer contains a copy of the original paint layer(s) as it appeared from the camera’s viewpoint at the time of screen capture. This layer is used to make a comparison between the original paint layers and any edits you might make on the Mudbox Texture layer. This layer is locked by default and should not be modified.
   - Mudbox Texture - This is the layer you paint on or apply any paint edits that you want to applied to your model after re-saving the .psd file and re-importing to Mudbox. Do not change the layer name for this layer as it will result in the import being aborted when re-importing to Mudbox.
   - Mudbox Shading (Locked) - This layer contains a screen capture of the 3D shading of your model(s) as it appeared within the 3D View. This layer is used to accurately composite any paint edits you make when the file is re-imported to Mudbox. It’s useful to keep this layer visible for reference purposes when painting your textures in Photoshop. This layer is locked by default and should not be modified.
6. (Working within Photoshop) Ensure the .psd file containing the 3D View screen capture image you exported from Mudbox is open in Photoshop.

   In Photoshop, the Layers window (Hotkey: F7) displays the five paint layers you exported from Mudbox (described above).

   NoteMudbox materials containing high specular values or reflection maps are not displayed within Photoshop exactly as they appear within Mudbox. This does not affect your paint layer work and will appear correct again in Mudbox when you reimport the file.
7. Perform any paint work or edits as required on the Mudbox Texture layer using the tools within Photoshop.
   NoteWhen editing the file in Photoshop, do not change the Layer blend mode setting nor any of the original layer names. Only the Normal blend mode setting is supported when the .psd file is subsequently re-imported into Mudbox. Changing the layer names will result in Mudbox not aligning the camera correctly, or determining the correct paint layer to apply as a stencil.
8. After completing your texture creation/editing work in Photoshop, save the file by selecting File > Save. Ensure that the paint you’ve created is on the Stencil layer.
   NoteIf you have created any other paint layers in the file you should merge them into the Mudbox Texture layer for the version of the file you want imported to Mudbox.
9. (Working within Mudbox) With the original model loaded in the 3D View, and the original paint layer selected, re-import the file you edited within Photoshop by selecting File > Reimport from PSD...
   NoteIt’s important that you have the original paint layer selected before re-importing so the paint edits you made in photoshop are applied to the correct layer.

   The Reimport from PSD... window appears.

10. Select the file you saved in Photoshop and click Open.

    Importing the PSD file causes the following to occur

    - Resets the camera view to the position it had when the PSD file was originally exported.
    - The pixels in the original paint layer are compared with the pixels in the Mudbox Texture layer from the .psd file; any pixels that changed based on the edits in the .psd file are automatically projected onto the model and the model is updated.
    - If Mudbox determines that the PSD file is valid, the following HUD message is displayed: Modifications found in Imported Layer --autoprojecting.

      The projection of the edited pixels within the PSD file occurs on the model.

    NoteThe reimport feature makes use of the stencil tool. If you have a stencil currently selected, it is replaced with the imported texture. When the reimport and auto-projection are successful, the stencil remains hidden. If the auto-projection does not occur as expected, or you receive an error message stating a problem within the PSD file the stencil may be displayed in the 3D View. It can also be manually displayed by pressing the Q key. In these situations, refer to the Troubleshoot paint layers topic for possible solutions.
11. Save your work.

NoteIf this feature is not working as expected, please consult the release notes for known limitations at the time of release at Painting.

Related topics

Export a paint layer

Troubleshoot paint layers