texture maps on extruded text – comparison

[Edward Wu]

Hi Lucia,

ProAnimator allows you to apply texture maps on the front, back, side, and hole edges. The front and back sides are simply mapped flat, while the side edges are mapped with the material “wrapped” across the sides. While it’s possible to get the look that you’re going for, it does take a bit of work to figure out how to apply the texture map onto the surface, so that it wraps correctly. Below are pictures of different letters.

This is the example look that you had. As mentioned earlier, if you were to go for this type of look, you would have to figure out what the sides look like so you can create a texture map for the side of the object. You will need a separate texture map for the front and the sides, and assign each texture map to the appropriate side of the object.

This is how the texture map usually gets applied onto the sides. The material gets wrapped around the object while you get a clean surface for the face of the letter. It still looks like the letter is sculpted from one material, but the “cookie cutter” is cut from the top instead of from the front.

Likewise, in this setup, you will need the original material for the side, and a one color texture map for the front face.

This setup is similar to the 3D Extruder Custom Effect look that you had. You apply the multicolor gradient on the front face, and a solid color on the side of the object.

Here are the answers to your other questions:
1) To apply a single texture map to multiple objects/faces, be sure to select all the objects and drag and drop the material onto one object. When multiple objects are selected, they will all be mapped with the same texture map that was applied.

2) To apply different texture maps to the front and sides of your object, click the Material Setup button, and you will be able to see the edge profile of your object. In the edge profile, you can assign different materials to different faces, as well as assign profile splits to the sides.

Hope this helps.

Best,
Edward

[Lucia Bastenhof]

Thank you, Edward… but I have to say I know what you say, for having read extensively the Zaxwerks User’s guide… :-/

2 remarks :
– Creating a 2nd texture to wrap on the extrusion in order to meet the face map… is exactly what I’d like to avoid… Seems to me very painful…

– About One single texture on all the letters’faces : I did what you say : all select + drag and drop, but as we can see on the “;-)” on my 1st photo, each letter is wrapped separately… I guess there must be a way for grouping the letters… :-/

[Edward Wu]

Hi Lucia,

About having to apply a second texture map for the sides, unfortunately, in a case like this, you will need to have a separate map whether it be through a pre-comp or just an image file. I personally can’t think of a different workaround to achieve the effect that you’re looking for, but it’s possible that another user might have the solution that you’re looking for.

As for applying one material to multiple objects, I think I misunderstood you, sorry. I thought you meant something in the lines of dragging and dropping one material onto multiple objects at a time, instead of having to drag and drop the material over and over for each object. To achieve this effect, group your text together inside of Illustrator.

When you group your text together in Illustrator, it forces ProAnimator to recognize the multiple objects as one object, and you will be able to “spread” that one texture map onto multiple objects.

Best,
Edward

[Lucia Bastenhof]

Hi Edward,

Thank you for these answers. About the extrusion mapping, I hope the next version of ProAnimator will take this issue into account.

Best,

Lucia

[Edward Wu]

Hi Lucia,

You’re welcome. From what I heard, I believe the next version will address that…. and much much more. 🙂

Stay tuned.

Best,
Edward