Adjusting textures applied to 3D solids

You can use Set Surface or Assign Custom Surfaces to 3D, Archit. Elements to apply textures to 3D solids. Allplan usually chooses the mapping type that is appropriate to the element in question. But there are times when you will find that you want to refine the texture applied to a 3D solid.

To do this, you can change the Mapping type of a 3D solid in the Properties palette.

Note: You cannot use the Properties palette to edit architectural elements. To do this, use Convert Elements to convert the architectural elements to 3D solids. It is a good idea to copy the original architectural data first so that you don’t lose data in the process.

To adjust textures applied to 3D solids

1. Select the 3D solid(s).
2. Open the Properties palette.

   Note: To display the Match buttons for all properties, right-click in the palette and select Show Match buttons on the shortcut menu. As an alternative, you can match a single property using the shortcut menu.

3. You can change the following properties in the Visualization area:
   • Mapping
   • Select side
     

     Select side needs to be selected so that you can specify settings for the Reference surface and Reference edge.

     Click Match and then the required Reference surface and/or Reference edge or enter the relevant number.

   • Reference surface
   • Reference edge
   • Mapping angle
     

     Using Mapping angle, you can turn the texture on the selected element.

     Note: The Mapping angle you define here is added to the angle of Rotation specified for the texture in the surface definition.

     Note: You cannot define mapping angles in conjunction with the Cylinder and Sphere types.

   • Resize X, Y
     

     This is where you can resize the texture by a factor in the X and Y direction.

     Note: The Resizing factor you define here applies in addition to the values entered in the Resize area in the surface definition.

   • Offset X, Y
     

     You can move the texture on an element by a distance in the X and Y direction.

     The unit of measurement used is the unit currently set in the Options - Desktop environment - General area - Unit of length.

     Note: The Offset you define here is added to the offset entered in the Move area in the surface definition.

   • Phong angle
     

     Using Phong angle, you can smooth edges of 3D solids. The higher the setting for the Phong angle, the smoother the edges. The maximum value is 90 degrees.

     The effect of the Phong angle is clearly visible in objects without textures. When a texture is applied, the effect of the Phong angle is not evident at first glance although it has an impact on shadows and rendered images. The smooth representation has an effect on the inner edges of the polygon but it does not affect the outer boundary, which is defined by the respective camera position.

     To obtain realistic images, you are advised to increase the Phong angle for objects of a rough polygonal structure.

4. Confirm the settings.