MapScaler Modifier (Object Space)

The MapScaler (OSM) modifier works in object space to maintain the scale of a map applied to an object. This lets you resize the object via its creation parameters without altering the scale of the map. Typically, you might use this to maintain the size of a map regardless of how the geometry is scaled, if you change the object size by adjusting its creation parameters. However, if you use a Select And Scale tool to change the object size, the map scales along with the object.

To maintain the scale of the map regardless of how the object is resized, use the MapScaler (WSM) modifier.

For example, if you scale a brick wall with the MapScaler (WSM) modifier applied, the bricks will all remain the same size as you increase the size of the wall. However, if you scale the same wall with the MapScaler (OSM) modifier applied, the size of the bricks will grow in proportion with the scale of the wall.

The MapScaler (OSM) modifier has two primary benefits compared to the WSM version:

Tip: MapScaler also works at the sub-object level. If the object you're working on requires different scaling of the texture map on each surface, you can do so by creating a modifier stack with multiple occurrences of the MapScaler modifier.

Procedures

Example: To use the MapScaler at a sub-object level:

  1. Create a Box and apply a brick or other patterned material to the object.
  2. Go to the Modify panel and choose Mesh Select from the Modifier List.
  3. On the Parameters rollout, click Polygon, then select one of the sides of the box.
  4. Open the Modifier List and apply either MapScaler modifier.
  5. Change the Scale value.

    Notice that the texture map only on the selected set of polygons is changed.

To change the scale of the texture on another part of the same object, add another Mesh Select modifier and make a new sub-object selection. Add the next MapScaler modifier to the new selection set and change the scale as you did in step 5.

Interface

Scale

Represents the size of one repetition of the texture pattern. Size is measured in current scene units. Repetitions occur across the object in the U and V directions. Default=1.0.

Note: When the Use Real-World Texture Coordinates switch is active in the General Preferences dialog, the scale setting defaults to 1.0. If Use Real-World Texture Coordinates is turned off, scale defaults to 100.0.
U/V Offset

Specify horizontal and vertical offsets respectively. Available only when Wrap Texture is off.

Wrap Texture

When on, Map Scaler attempts to wrap the texture evenly around the object. This option requires more computing, but usually produces the most satisfactory results. Default=on.

Wrap Using Smoothing Groups

When turned on, textures are wrapped around corners when they share the same smoothing groups. Curved walls will map smoothly while sharp corners get a new texture origin. This switch is only available when the Wrap Textures switch is turned on. Default=off.

Channel

Specifies the map channel. Default=1.