Sculpt layers overview

Sculpt layers let you organize your sculpting and combine forms and details in a non-destructive manner. You can create a layer and then sculpt so that only the new details appear on the new layer. To modify your sculpting on that layer you can either perform additional sculpting or remove the layer without affecting details on the base mesh. Sculpt layers combine in an additive manner. They behave much like layer systems in 2D image editing applications such as Photoshop®, but record 3D sculpting information.

You manage sculpt layers using the Layers window, by selecting the Sculpt display button. See Sculpt Layers window.

Sculpt layers let you:

When sculpting on a layer, Mudbox calculates the difference between the position of vertices after a tool stroke and their original position on the base mesh. Only the difference in position (the delta) is stored on the layer. This delta is added to the base mesh and to the deltas stored in all the other layers to arrive at the final shape of the model. Because the sculpt layers combine in an additive manner, the order of layers is not important to the final result.

Note:

A sculpt layer is automatically locked to the subdivision level on which it is first edited. The layer is available for modification only when that subdivision level is displayed thereafter. This is important to remember when you need to perform any subsequent operations on that layer (for example, if you sculpt, erase, change visibility, and so on).