How to use the texture area tool in Aspire in Vectric software | Modeling Tools

Overview

This video explains how to use the Texture Area Component tool in Vectric Aspire. It covers loading existing texture-area clipart, creating custom tiled textures from seed components, adjusting tiling options, saving them as reusable 3D clipart, and using closed vectors to restrict tiling to a region.

Steps

1. Open the example file: In the tutorials folder, open Texture Area Example and Frame.crv3d. Two sheets are available: Working and Frame.
2. Load existing texture-area clipart: From the Clipart tab, open the Texture Area Tiles folder. Drag a piece such as block wall_tiled into the 2D view.
3. Edit the tiled component:
   • Scale/rotate it like normal 3D clipart.
   • In the Design tab, open Create a Texture Area Component to see embedded options.
   • Adjust spacing (X/Y percentage of seed tile size), XY shift, reflection, combine mode, and name.
4. Create a custom texture area component:
   • Import a seed component (e.g., domed pyramid scallop 2) or use any 3D component.
   • Position/scale it in the 2D view.
   • In the Design tab, click Create a Texture Area Component.
   • Click Apply to fill the job space with the tiled component.
5. Edit the seed component:
   • Use Edit Texture Area Component to select and resize the original seed.
   • Return to Transform Object to adjust spacing, shifts, and reflections.
6. Refine tiling options:
   • Spacing: positive/negative percentage of tile size for left-right and up-down gaps.
   • XY Shift: offset alternate rows or columns.
   • Reflection: mirror individual tiles to randomize/correct appearance.
7. Limit tiling to a vector shape:
   • Draw one or more closed vectors (e.g., an ellipse).
   • Select the vector(s) and the component, then open Create a Texture Area Component.
   • Click Apply — tiles appear only inside the selected vector boundaries.
8. Save reusable texture-area clipart:
   • After applying options, rename the resulting component in the Component Tree.
   • Right-click and select Export as 3D Clip File.
   • The exported clipart retains all embedded Texture Area settings.

Key Points / Warnings

• Any 3D component can be used as a seed; you are not limited to the supplied Texture Area Tiles.
• Baking a Texture Area Component destroys its special tiling properties — undo if you want to keep them.
• To rotate the seed permanently, bake the seed first before creating a Texture Area Component; otherwise the software reverts to the original orientation.
• Use closed vectors to isolate tiling to specific regions; multiple vectors can be used.
• The original seed component is hidden after tiling; the result appears as a separate component in the component tree.
• Reflections are useful for organic patterns like brick walls to randomize or align edges.
• Exported 3D clip files preserve all chosen Texture Area options, allowing future edits and variations.