Mirror Projection is a painting technique used in 3D software that allows you to paint on a model symmetrically or asymmetrically by simulating a mirrored surface.
Understanding Mirror Projection
At its core, Mirror Projection is a method for applying textures or paint details across a 3D model based on a designated "mirror plane." Instead of painting one side manually and then duplicating or mirroring the texture data, this feature handles the process automatically as you paint.
The key functionality highlighted in the reference is its ability to handle both:
- Symmetrical Painting: Painting on one side of the mirror plane instantly applies the same paint strokes on the opposite side.
- Asymmetrical Painting: By utilizing masking options, you can choose to paint only on one side of the mirror plane, preventing the changes from appearing on the mirrored side.
How It Works
The reference explains that Mirror Projection re-projects the same paint buffer from a symmetrical angle. This means the software essentially creates a virtual mirror, and when you paint on one side, it simultaneously projects that same paint information from the mirrored viewpoint onto the other side of the plane.
Flexibility with Axes
A crucial aspect of Mirror Projection is its flexibility. You can orientate the mirror plane about the X, Y, and Z axes. This allows you to apply symmetry across different orientations depending on the structure of your model (e.g., mirroring left-to-right, top-to-bottom, or front-to-back).
Here's a simple breakdown of axis orientation:
| Axis | Common Use Case |
|---|---|
| X | Mirroring left-to-right (e.g., body) |
| Y | Mirroring top-to-bottom (e.g., vehicle) |
| Z | Mirroring front-to-back (e.g., face) |
Note: The optimal axis depends entirely on how your 3D model is oriented and which part you need to mirror.
Practical Benefits
Using Mirror Projection significantly speeds up the texturing process for symmetrical models like characters, creatures, or vehicles.
- Efficiency: Paint only one side of a symmetrical object (like an arm or leg) and the other side is textured simultaneously.
- Consistency: Ensures perfect symmetry in your painted details where needed.
- Control: The ability to switch between symmetrical and asymmetrical painting and use masking gives fine-grained control over the final texture.
In summary, Mirror Projection is a powerful tool in 3D painting workflows that leverages a mirrored re-projection of paint data, providing flexibility in symmetry and orientation.
