Adjust UV positions in 2D

You can use Flatten to UV Space to perform basic repositioning of UV texture coordinates on a flattened 2D version of a model.

The Pinch, Grab, or Smear tools can perform basic UV position adjustments on the model since they work within the plane of the flattened surface as opposed to along the normal. Other sculpt tools displace the vertices normal to the mesh so are not suitable for UV edits. For more extensive UV modifications, it is recommended that you use another application with UV editing capabilities.

Note: If you are bringing objects from 3ds Max to Mudbox, first convert them to editable meshes or polys or they won’t appear in the view.

To adjust basic UV positions

1. Select the model(s) whose UV positions you want to adjust.

   You can flatten multiple objects at once by selecting them with the Objects selection tool.

2. Select UVs & Maps > Flatten to UV Space (Hotkey: Alt + T).

   A flattened copy of the selected model is created with vertex positions that are identical to the UV texture coordinates on the original model. The model appears unfolded exactly like its associated UVs, generally in multiple flattened pieces.

   The original 3D version of the model is temporarily invisible. By default, the flattened model appears in the same camera position as the 3D version.

   
   Note: If you want the flattened model to automatically appear in an orthographic view (planar to the view), turn on the Autofocus on Flatten preference located in the Focus preferences. Otherwise, the model appears flattened relative to the current camera position.

   If you flatten multiple meshes at once, they may appear stacked in the 3D View. You can select and translate each mesh to separate them for painting.

3. From the Sculpt Tools tray, select the Pinch, Grab, or Smear tool.
4. To display the original 3D version of the model, select UVs & Maps > Unflatten from UV Space (Hotkey: Alt + T).
   The UV edits modify the appearance of the applied texture map.

   Note: Use the Sculpt Tools in the 3D view, not the UV view to perform this task.

Note: UV edits are only applied to the original model when you return to the 3D view (Hotkey: Alt + T).

Related topics

UVs overview

Paint texture maps in 2D

Import UVs