Painting a 3D model in Photoshop CS4

July 22, 2009 4:11 PM

3D in Photoshop CS4: How can I use the stamp tool to paint an image over a curved area of a model?

I would like to paint an image onto a 3d model using the clone stamp or pattern stamp tools within Photoshop CS4. The problem is the image needs to wrap around a curved body part, such as a tribal tattoo wrapped around an arm. When I click & brush the stamp on one area and then release to rotate the model, the stamp doesn't continue where it left off and my pattern is completely uneven. How could I get an even stamp all the way around?

posted by Sufi to Computers & Internet (1 answer total)

Photoshop is not the right tool for this, you want a 3D modelling program that will apply a texture to a surface and then light it appropriately. I'm not up with what's current, but Blender, Milkshape and Maya are what I remember as being the tools for the job a few years ago. Blender at least is free.

If you have a flat surface, you could use the perspective-correction tool in photoshop to distort your texture to match the orientation of the surface and then blend it on. However if it's curved, you need to apply a different distortion for each little facet of the surface... which is why we have 3D rendering programs that understand triangle meshes and do all that for you. Photoshop is an inherently 2D tool.
posted by polyglot at 11:46 PM on July 22, 2009