Getting started with Corona Decal for 3ds Max

Are you a 3D artist looking to add intricate details and realistic textures to your 3D models? Creating visually engaging and authentic 3D scenes involves attention to detail, and with the power of Corona Decal in 3ds Max, you can take your creations to the next level. 

In this blog, iRender will guide you through the basics of using Corona Decal and provide essential tips to help you master this feature.

Corona Decal is a powerful tool in Corona Renderer for 3ds Max that allows artists to apply detailed textures and images to surfaces in a highly controlled and customizable way. Corona Decals are special box-shaped objects that you can use to project materials onto your geometry. Whether you want to add labels, stickers, dirt, or signs to your 3D model, this tool provides flexibility and precision in texturing that adds realism and believability to your scenes.

In other words, Corona Decal is a very convenient way to project textures and materials onto objects in your scene: graphics, surface defects, and potholes, all within the 3D viewport and without the need for UVW mapping.

• On – Turns Decal On and Off.
• Include/Exclude – Enables Include/Exclude objects option.
• Mask Source – Source of Decal alpha (blending) mask.
• From Material – Assigned material’s opacity channel will be used.
• Map – Allows selected another, independent map to act as a mask.

Size:

• Lock – Toggle constraint of aspect ratio between width and height. 
• Width – Decal width.
• Height – Decal height.
• Bend – Width [°] – Specifies bend angle of the decal in the width direction. 
• Bend – Height [°] – Specifies bend angle of the decal in the height direction.  
• Fit To Bitmap… – Fits the decal aspect ratio to match selected texture node or a texture inside selected material (use drag and drop) or a bitmap file (use drag and drop or click to select from HDD). The overall area of the decal is preserved.
• Fit To Assigned Mtl – Fits the decal aspect ratio to match one of the textures of the currently assigned material.

Projection

• Depth Limit – Limits the depth into which this decal is projected. Any surface beyond this distance will not receive the decal.
• Max Angle Limit – Maximum angle deviation between the surface normal and the decal direction for which the decal will be used. This can limit the projection to only facing surfaces. A value of 90 degrees will remove projection from backfaces, while 180 degrees will project on all backfaces.
• Max Angle Blur – Optional fuzziness (blending) on the edge of the max angel limit.w

Viewport

• Show Material Preview – Shows material preview on top of the decal in the 3ds Max viewport when a material is assigned.
• Pivot Offset – Changing this value shifts the decal in its Z axis by changing the relative position of its projection start and its pivot. With value 0 the decal projection starts at the pivot and with value 1 it ends there.

UVW mapping

• Real-world map size – Enables real-world size mapping for the textures used in the Corona Decal material. 

First, you can create a Corona Decal by clicking on the Decal icon in the Corona Toolbar and drawing a Decal in the viewport. It can also be accessed by typing Decal into the 3ds Max X menu or from the Command Panel > Create > Geometry > Corona > CDecal.

Pro tip: hold Ctrl while creating a decal to make it square-shaped.

Now you can adjust Decal Settings by configuring the settings of the Corona Decal map, including parameters such as the decal texture, scale, rotation, and placement. You can also adjust blending modes, opacity, bumpiness, and other properties to achieve the desired effect.

After adding the decal to your scene, apply the material to it and move it so that it overlaps your scene geometry where you want the decal to appear. You can drag and drop the material onto the object in the viewport.

As a result, the decal’s material is projected onto your geometry. You can use the interactive rendering feature of Corona Renderer to preview how the decal looks on the object. Make adjustments to the decal settings as needed to fine-tune its placement and appearance.

The greatest thing is that once you are satisfied with the decal on one object, you can duplicate the material setup and apply the decal to other objects in your scene!

One section you may notice in the Corona Decal options is “Affect Base”. You can use this to specify which material properties of the object you are projecting your decal onto will be affected by the decal. This seemingly simple option has many applications.

Using Multiple Decals

Experiment with applying multiple decals to the same surface, layering different textures and details to create a more realistic and complex appearance. This can include adding decals for dirt, scratches, labels, and other surface imperfections to enhance the realism of your 3D models.

Tiling and Variation

Utilize tiling features within the decal settings to create seamless repetitions of decals across surfaces. Additionally, introduces variation in decal placement, rotation, and scale to avoid a repetitive appearance, especially in instances where the same decal is used across multiple objects.

Blend Decals with Surface

Experiment with the blending modes and opacity settings to seamlessly blend the decal with the underlying surface texture, ensuring that the decals look like they are a natural part of the material rather than appearing like stickers.

Utilize Masking

Explore the use of masks in conjunction with decals. Masks can be used to control where a decal is applied, allowing for precise placement and intricate detailing without affecting the entire surface uniformly.

Experiment with Bump and Normal Maps

Explore the use of bump maps or normal maps alongside decals to add a sense of depth and three-dimensionality to the decal details, especially when depicting surface irregularities or raised features.

Corona Decal in 3ds Max offers a wealth of possibilities for adding depth and authenticity to your 3D models. By following the step-by-step guide and embracing advanced techniques, you can harness the full potential of Corona Decal, unlocking a new level of detail and realism in your 3D scenes.

With this newfound knowledge, we encourage you to experiment, practice, and push the boundaries of creativity with Corona Decals, ultimately enhancing the visual impact of your 3D artwork.

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Why choose iRender?

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Images and References: chaos.com