Export a single paint layer to Photoshop

  1. (In Mudbox) In the Paint Layers window, select the paint layer you want to export.
  2. Right-click the layer and select Export Selected (or select > Export Selected from the window menu button).
  3. In the Save As window that appears:
    • Select a directory.
    • Enter a file name.
    • Set the image format file type to Photoshop [8bit, RGBA] (.psd) or Photoshop [16-bit Integer, RGBA] (.psd).
    • Click Save.

    A .psd format file is saved from Mudbox.

  4. (In Photoshop) Open the .psd file containing the paint layer you exported from Mudbox (if it does not open automatically).

    The Layers window in Photoshop (Hotkey: F7) displays the paint layers. The .psd file contains two layers:

    • Mudbox Base Mesh - Includes an image of the UV texture coordinates (based on how they appeared on the base subdivision level for the model) that is aligned with the paint layer you exported. This layer is intended as a reference for your work in Photoshop, and you can show or hide it as required.
    • Mudbox Texture Layer - The paint layer you exported.
    Note: Any changes made to layer blend modes settings when working within Photoshop are ignored when the file is reimported to Mudbox. To set blending modes in Mudbox, see Blend paint layers.
  5. Perform any paint work or edits as required on the Mudbox Texture Layer, ensuring that it remains at the bottom of the layer stack. If you create any other paint layers, they must be merged onto the Mudbox Texture Layer before export.
  6. After completing your paint or editing work in Photoshop, save the file by selecting File > Save.
    Note: When you re-import the .psd file into Mudbox as a paint layer, it reads only the bottom Mudbox Texture Layer of the Photoshop file, ignoring all other layers including the Mudbox Base Mesh layer.
  7. (In Mudbox) If you have not saved your Mudbox scene since exporting the paint layer, the connection between the paint layer and the exported .psd file still exists. Right-click the paint layer in the Layers window within Mudbox and select Refresh Selected to update the original paint layer with your Photoshop edits. Otherwise, right-click the layer and select Import Layer.
  8. Save the Mudbox file to ensure the Photoshop edits are updated in the original texture files associated paint layer.

Related topics

Mudbox and Photoshop overview

Export a paint channel (multiple layers) to Photoshop