Subdivision Objects

[AlanW 493]

Hi,

So I am playing with the Subdivision tools and I want to add a texture, it is all made up of meshes, so I add a texture to it and mmmmm, messy.

So do I now have to convert it to a generic solid to get the textures to show up properly?? and there is no going back. So I guess I need to save my model if I need to make changes.

Is this how it all works?? you cant have textures on the Subdivision because of the mesh????

Edited October 10, 2015 by Alan Woodwell

[Altivec 44]

Unfortunately, vectorworks texture mapping capabilities or lack there of are very poor.  you are correct that you have no control of texture mapping on subdivision objects and you only get slightly better control converting it to a generic solid and lose all abilities to edit your object later. 

In order to properly map subdivisions and other types of solids, vectorworks must implement something that's called UV mapping.  VERY IMPORTANT. Please visit this wish list and vote it up by clicking the up arrow next to the title.  We need as many voters as possible to get this finally done.

 

[rDesign 332]

In Vw2017 texturing of Subdivision objects has been improved, see this thread:

Subdivision and Textures

As noted in that thread, small-scaled image textures no longer look terrible.

[bcd 215]

Yes,If you don't want two instances of it in the Design Layer just park the original in the Resource Browser as a symbol.

[rDesign 332]

@Alan Woodwell: Yes, unfortunately this is how the Subdivison objects work until Vw gets UV mapping capability.

Here's several quotes from the Vectorworks 2016 announcement thread regarding this subject:

While it is still a Subdivision object, the texture mapping is limited to automatic and you can not adjust it, mainly because the "shape" of the object is completely fluid until editing is over. If you convert the object to a solid though, you get all the separate mapping option types and attribute mapping tool control.

Once you convert a Subdivision object to a solid in order to have better texture mapping control, do you lose the ability to make any further subdivision modifications?

Yes. The INSTANT I saw Subdivision objects for the first time I immediately submitted a request for conversion from generic solids back to subdivisions.

If so, it seems like UV mapping (as previously wishlisted in other threads) would be a worthwhile addition to the Subdivision object (and VW in general)..

I agree, rather than trying to add a new method just for Subdivision objects, an overall texturing solution that works on all kinds of 3D objects would be preferable.

So until UV mapping is implemented, which has been a wishlist item for a long time, the only real option is to not use image-based RW textures on Subdivison objects, but instead you should use solid materials.

And keep requesting for UV mapping.

[rDesign 332]

 

@JimW- can you move this thread to 'Wish List'? Thx.

Edited September 20, 2016 by rDesign

[Art V 300]

All the more reason to get UV mapping in Vectorworks if one wants decent textures on Subdivision objects. I know there are budget constraints and priorities etc. but it seems to be that subdivisions v2 would have been a perfect argument for introducing UV mapping into VW.

so +1 on this and UV mapping

[AlanW 493]

Thanks for the reply, I thought this was the issue but wanted to check.

We only had VW issued last week in Aust/NZ so little time to play.

[Kaare Baekgaard 19]

"and you only get slightly better control converting it to a generic solid and lose all abilities to edit your object later. "

There is no reason to convert it into a generic solid. Just add-solid the subdivision to any object like a small cube placed inside the subdivision. If the cube is the backmost object, textures will automatically use one of its edges for alignment – which makes it easier to map with the mapping tool.