Shape Map

Uses splines to create graphical textures that can be animated.

The Shape map uses splines to apply textures to a selected object, which is useful for creating decals and logos directly in the scene instead of using an external image editor. The results can be fully animated. Set outline and fill colors as well as map boundaries. Control over hierarchies allows you to achieve creative results with intersecting shapes. Because all adjustments to Shape map can be keyframed, you can animate the textures.

• Material Editor > Material/Map Browser > Maps > General > ShapeMap

Procedures

To create a texture from a shape:

1. Open the Material Editor, choose a material and apply Shape Map to it.
2. Apply the material to an object in your scene.
3. From the Command panel, create a spline such as a line, circle or rectangle.
4. On the Parameters rollout, set filtering, channel outputs, cropping/placement, and alpha source options.
5. On the Shape Parameters rollout, click the Shape Object button and select the spline to be used as a texture.
6. Select a fill color, line color, and background color for the shape.
   Note: If no fill or line color is selected, the color of the spline is used.
7. Select to render any children.
8. Select a map boundary.
9. If necessary, adjust HW Bitmap size to fix edge sharpness problems that occur when rendering.

You can add additional splines to the texture by dragging them under the parent spline in the Scene Explorer.