multiple objects, 1 texture???

[chunter3]

Hi everyone,

 

Im going nuts....

for my project, some of my walls are composed of multiple pieces (boxes) that all line up to make one wall....I want to apply 1 large texture to this composed wall, but even though i group them together, or edit poly/attach all the faces together, when i apply the material/map, the map is still is represented separately on each individual object....Ive tried setting the uvw map to "fit" the face, and it does the same thing. Im guessing I may have to high light all the faces i want, and uv un-wrap...then match up my texture? Either that or Ill have to rebuild my wall as a single object and then apply the material, right? Let me know what you think...thanks....

[Stephen Thomas]

In order to get all the objects to use the same uvw mapping, you either have to copy and paste the uvw map modifier from one to another or else apply the uvw map modifier to your second object then click on 'aquire' and pick the first object to inherit its coordinates.

 

The second problem you face is how to get the mapping to fit the wall. You could either do this manually, or else you could create new object (plane or box) that is the same dimensions of your wall. Then apply a uvw map modifier, choose 'fit' and copy and paste this modifier to the stack of your other objects.

[Cyberstyle]

Do you have 'face map' checked in the material slot or are you selecting 'Face' in the UVW Map modifier?

Face mapping will apply the texture to each and every face of the object(s) like you described.

 

To do what you are doing sounds like Unwrap UVW is the ideal option with an unwrapped Edit Poly,

but if you're unsure about doing that or want a quick result you can just group your objects,

apply the UVW Map modifier and select 'Box' as your mapping method and scale accordingly.

Edited February 14, 2011 by Cyberstyle

[sanmb]

If its a complex box of boxes and not aligned in a single plane,curved or streched in some places (if it is edit poly),this is sure to happen.

Please check or you can simply make material map and apply it and use UVW modifier to reach desired wall material.

[jsf]

Follow the link for a large size screen cap. Note on the image, Bricks on the left are set to Length, Width, and Height 10', 10', 10'. Bricks on the right are set to 5', 5', 5'. In both cases one uvw modifier is applied to two objects. Parameter settings in the image are described below.

 

http://img515.imageshack.us/i/uvwmappingexample.jpg/

 

Here are two ways to approach your problem that you might find helpful in dealing with uvw mapping.

 

The first approach (the most straightforward and easiest to explain) is to map the wall as a single object (as you mentioned at the end of your explanation). Be sure to start with a clean mesh that doesn't have any lingering UVW map modifiers attached to it. Add a UVW map to the object. Under Parameters select "Box". Uncheck "Real-World Map Size". Set the "Length", "Height", and "Width" to 10 feet for each (this will be a good starting size if your wall is 8 feet high). Set the "U Tile, V Tile, and W Tile" each to 1.

 

Do not use "Fit" for the Alignment option, this will resize the Length, Width, and Height figures (10') you just input.

 

The texture map can be positioned on the wall by shifting the UVW Gizmo (using the move command with the Gizmo activated) up and down in the Z axis, and side to side in the X and Y axes. And by altering the Length, Width, and Size of the UVW Mapping, (by entering larger or smaller numbers for the 10', 10', 10' mapping box).

 

* * * * *

 

Keep reading if you understand that explanation and are feeling adventurous.

 

The second approach builds upon the method you just used in the first approach. In this approach you select all of the individual objects that compose your wall and group them together. Apply one UVW Map modifier to the group and set up the mapping as described in the first approach. A single UVW Map can also be applied to objects that are not grouped, but it becomes more difficult to keep track of which objects share the same UVW Map modifier, (creating a selection set would make it easier). An object that shares a UVW Map with other objects can have its UVW map separated out by hitting the "Make Unique" button.

 

I prefer setting Length, Width, and Height over alignment using "Fit" because pattern size of the texture map is constant from object to object and all I have to do is use the UVW Gizmo to position, orient, and align the pattern when it meets an adjacent object. This is effective when texturing brick walls and roof shingles.