Map a curve

[Devin Johnston]

One thing I've never understood is why there's no curved UVW mapping option, all I want to do is map some tile onto a curved surface and have the tile follow the curve. I know I can use Unwrap or face mapping on a high polygon surface to create this but both options are time consuming, are there any other options that I'm unaware of?

[Francisco Penaloza]

in unwrap modifier there is an option of spline mapping, you need to create a spline following the direction of your mapping and select it. it will give you 2 options circular or planar, then just adjust the diameter of the gizmo and fine tune.

Other faster option is create that curve surface from a renderable spline, then check generate mapping coords. this is the way I create streets, curver, sidewalks and so. I can move the curve around and the mapping will follow.

[Devin Johnston]

Ok about the spline, once you've created it and checked the box then what?

[Francisco Penaloza]

Create the spline, then make it renderable, select planar or radial shape, then check generate mapping coords, then apply your material it will follow the path.

 

[salvador]

Same thing for any given profile: Loft - check Mapping Coords on - check Follow on - tweak Repeat for U or V as needed.

[andstef]

Hello Devin

 

You could try to use unwrap UVW - spline mapping, as in the screen capture I attached

 

I hope this helps!

[Devin Johnston]

The real problem I have is I'm mapping to existing geometry that I don't want to recreate, other than unwrapping it is there another way?

[Corey Beaulieu]

Spline mapping is still good.

 

One thing I do for geometry like that is after I make my spline for mapping, I will use a "normalize spline modifier" and then control the tiling in the materials map itself.

 

So use: Unwrap UVW> Face Mode> Select All Faces> Hit the Spline Mapping Button within the modifier> Select your normalized spline> Choose Planar or Cylindrical> Adjust map until it looks correct.

 

One tip with the tiling by map is that I will use the measure tool to get a length for the line.