Vector Layers

Vector layers, introduced in Toolbag 5, provide a non-destructive, resolution-independent way to add surface details using editable vector shapes. Vectors can be drawn, projected, and modified directly within a Texture Project, allowing precise control over lines, solid shapes, and modular strip-based details. This is useful for creating panel lines, decals, trims, and path-based details without adding geometry or baking textures.

3D Vector #

Add a 3D Vector layer from the Layers window toolbar.

All vector layers use a consistent set of settings sections for controlling vector behavior, shape generation, placement, and output.

Toolbar #

The toolbar provides quick access to tools for creating, selecting, and editing vector shapes within a Vector layer.

Setting	Description
Select Shape	Select and edit a shape. Use this tool to select an entire vector shape.
Select Point	Select and edit points. Use this tool to select individual or multiple points.
Pen	Creates vector shapes by placing points to form paths and shapes.
Sketch	Draws vector shapes by sketching freehand paths directly on the surface.
Curve	Creates smooth vector paths by placing and adjusting curved segments.
Line	Creates straight vector paths by placing line segments.
Rectangle	Creates rectangular vector shapes.
Ellipse	Creates elliptical or circular vector shapes.
Polygon	Creates vector shapes with multiple straight sides.

Preview #

The preview area lets you view your vector stroke, save it to the library, and export or import presets.

Setting	Description
Preview Area	Shows a preview of the vector brush.
Save	Save the current vector brush to the asset library.
Export	Save the current brush to disk.
Import	Import a brush (.tbtool file) from disk.

Style #

The Style settings define how a Vector layer is created and behaves, controlling whether vectors are drawn in 2D or 3D, the types of shapes they produce, and how overlapping vector shapes are handled.

Setting	Description
Vector Space	Determines the coordinate space vector shapes are drawn and projected from.   Decal Mode – Projection mode introduced in Toolbag 5.02, enabling you to create shapes on a virtual plane that are projected onto the mesh. It’s useful to design logos and complex mechanical parts.   3D – Projection mode that lets you draw and edit vector shapes directly on the mesh in 3D space. It’s useful to add path-based details such as seams, tubes, wires, etc.
Vector Mode	Select fill mode of vector shapes.   Tube – Creates path-based vector shapes with width. This mode is useful for elements such as stitches, cables, panel lines, and other path-following line-based details.   Solid – Creates filled vector shapes with an enclosed area. This mode is useful for panels, portholes, vents, and other surface details that require a solid shape rather than a line.   Brush – Creates free-drawn vector shapes using brush strokes. This mode is useful for adding organic or irregular details, such as wear patterns, grunge, and surface variation. It can also be used to place repeated surface details such as bolts and nuts. You can learn more about Brush settings here [link].   Note: To create a custom brush, make sure the Fit to Brush projection method is selected.
Overlap Tubes	Determines whether tube shapes are allowed to overlap each other.   Note: This setting is available only in Tube and Solid modes.
Splots at Points	Determines whether the brush splots is drawn only at vector points. This is useful for creating controlled paths of repeated elements, such as bolts or rivets.   Note: This setting is available only in Brush mode.

Shapes #

The Shapes section displays a list of all vector shapes created in the Vector layer. It allows you to select and edit shapes individually or as a group.

Setting	Description
Group	Group selected items.
Duplicate	Duplicate selected items.
Delete	Delete selected items.
Shapes List	List of all vector shapes in this layer.

Profile #

The Profile section defines a displacement contour (profile) to extrude along the edges of a vector shape.

Setting	Description
Presets	List of profile presets.
Edit	Open the profile editor to create a custom displacement contour.
Delete Preset	Remove selected profile from the presets list.
Save Preset	Save the current profile as a preset.

Profile Editor

Setting	Description
Sharp Point	Sharpens the selected point.
Smooth Point	Smooths the selected point.
Delete	Deletes the selected point.
Mirror Handles	Mirrors the handles for the selected point.
Link	Links the length of the handles for the selected point.
Overlapping	Prevents moving points to overlapping positions.
Mirror Curve	Toggles horizontal mirroring for the whole profile curve.
Snapping	When enabled, bezier vertices and tangent handles will snap to a visible grid. Resize the Profile Editor window for a more refined grid.

Profile Settings

Setting	Description
Profile Amount	Sets the height scale of the profile in bump and displacement maps.
Length	Controls tiling of shape-projected materials and alpha masks along the shape edges.
Width	Sets the profile width along the shape edges.
Random Width	Adds random variation to the profile width.
Random Width Frequency	Sets the frequency of random variation in the profile width.
Warp	Adds random side-to-side wiggle to shape edges.
Warp Frequency	Sets the frequency of side-to-side wiggle on shape edges.
Rounding	Controls rounded caps on the start and end of shape edges. Note: This setting is available only in Tube mode.
Taper	Controls narrowing of contour width at the start and end of shape edges. Note: This setting is available only in Tube mode.
Front Taper	Controls narrowing of contour width at the start of shape edges.   Note: This setting is available only in Tube mode.
Back Taper	Controls narrowing of contour width at the end of shape edges.   Note: This setting is available only in Tube mode.

Symmetry #

The Symmetry section controls how vector shapes are mirrored during creation and editing. It allows the use of standard (axis-based) or radial symmetry, making it easier to create repeating details while editing a single shape. You can learn more in this section [link].

Active Maps #

The Active Maps section specifies which texture maps are modified by the Vector layer. Only selected maps will affect the vector-generated details.

Material Projection #

The Material Projection section controls how vector details are applied to the surface, depending on the Projection Method. It adjusts how the vector shapes are mapped, ensuring proper alignment and positioning of the vector details across the surface.

In addition to the standard projection modes (UV, Tri-Planar, and Planar), there are projection modes specifically designed for Vector Layers: Fit to Spline, Fit to Brush, and Tile Strip.

• Fit to Spline – Fits a vector shape along the entire length of a spline, stretching it to match the spline path. This Projection Method is available in Tube Vector Mode.
• Fit to Brush – Fits a vector shape to individual brush strokes or points, allowing controlled placement of repeated elements along a path. This Projection Method is available in Brush Vector Mode.
• Tile Strip – Applies a modular strip made of tiled segments along a spline, repeating elements without stretching to maintain consistent detail size. This Projection Method is available in Tube Vector Mode. You can learn more about Tile Strips here.

Note: The Projection Method’s availability depends on the selected Vector Mode.

Material Properties #

The Material Properties section controls how the vector details impact the material. It lets you adjust how the vector shapes affect different material settings, such as color, roughness, and other surface properties, to match the desired look.

Decal Vector #

Decal Vector layers, introduced in Toolbag 5.02, use a Decal projection mode, enabling you to create shapes on a virtual plane with grid snapping, which are then projected onto the mesh. Working on the grid makes it easy to create precise shapes and perform Boolean operations for complex mechanical designs. This mode is especially useful for creating elements that would otherwise be difficult to model and align with the surface of your mesh, such as panels and cutouts on curved parts. Since the shapes live on the grid and are not aligned with your 3D mesh, moving and editing them is more predictable, allowing you to design in isolation and then position the element without altering the shape of the vectors.

Add a Decal Vector layer using the toolbar in the Layers window.

Note: Some settings in the Decal Vector layer differ from the 3D Vector layer settings. And unlike 3D mode, Decal vectors can also be projected across multiple meshes.

Editing the placement of a Decal Vector is easy with the viewport Decal Tool, which lets you click and drag along the surface of the mesh to reposition the element. You can also use the transform controls to adjust the size, rotation, projection distance, and falloff.

Toolbar #

The toolbar provides quick access to tools for creating, selecting, and editing vector shapes within a Vector layer.

Setting	Description
Decal Tool	Activates the decal manipulator for positioning and adjusting a Decal layer in the scene.
Decal Transform	Activates the decal manipulator to position and adjust a Decal layer in the scene.

Projection #

The Projection section defines how a Decal layer is projected onto the mesh surface. It controls the overall behavior of the projection, including its spatial alignment, depth interaction with the surface, and how the decal blends and fades across geometry.

Projection Settings

Setting	Description
Size U	Sets the size of the projected plane on the horizontal axis as a ratio of the texture project’s mesh(es).
Size V	Sets the size of the projected plane on the vertical axis as a ratio of the texture project’s mesh(es).
Rotation	Sets the angle of the material properties.
Depth	Sets the maximum distance beneath the surface at which the projection will be drawn. Smoothly fades from falloff value.
Falloff	Sets the distance beneath the surface at which the projection will start fading.
Offset	Sets the maximum distance above the surface at which the projection will be drawn. No falloff is applied.
Backface Culling	Sets the maximum angle the tool will paint on relative to the center point of the brush.
Backface Falloff	Sets how gradually the culling function fades to the maximum value.
Occlusion	Sets whether the occlusion map influences the culling function. When on, the surface details in the occlusion map will be used for culling.
Use Normal Map for Culling