How do I use the Sculpting tool's Custom Brush in Aspire for stamping and depositing 3D shapes?

Overview

The Custom Brush is a Sculpting feature that replaces the standard circular brush with any model (a .3dclip, a .v3m or a bitmap) as the brush shape. It works in the Deposit and Remove tools, and it leaves an impression that simulates the model being pushed through the surface. This is how you stamp repeated textures, add scale patterns, brick impressions and detailed organic surfaces. For the other Sculpting tools, controls and shortcuts, see the entry on using the Sculpting tool.

How the Custom Brush Works

With Deposit (key 3):

• Clicking presses the brush shape into the surface at that point, like pressing a stamp into clay
• Dragging leaves a trail of impressions, as if the brush were dragged through the surface

With Remove (key 4):

• Clicking removes the brush shape from the surface, like pressing an intaglio stamp that carves material away

The result is a textured surface built from many impressions of the brush shape.

Setting Up a Custom Brush

Method A: Create a Dedicated Sculpting Brush

1. Model the shape you want to use as a brush (a leaf, a scale, a brick, a rosette)
2. Right-click the model in the Component Tree
3. Choose Create sculpting brush
4. The brush is created, optimized for sculpting, and placed in the standard location for sculpting brushes so it is easy to reach from the Sculpting form
5. In the Custom Brush section of the Sculpting form, click Load Brush and select your new brush

Method B: Use Any Existing .3dclip, .v3m or Bitmap

1. In the Custom Brush section of the Sculpting form, click Load Brush
2. Browse to any .3dclip, .v3m or bitmap file
3. The selected file becomes the brush shape

Note: a model created specifically as a sculpting brush is usually best, because it is optimized for the job. An arbitrary complex model can give unexpected results.

Brush Rotation Controls

Angle

The Angle slider and edit box set the current rotation of the brush. Hold the r key and scroll the mouse wheel to adjust it. If Dynamic Rotation is not ticked, this angle stays fixed, so you can rotate slightly between stamps for a less mechanical look.

Dynamic Rotation

When Use dynamic rotation is ticked, the brush rotates to follow the stroke as you drag, and a small arrow in the 3D view shows the current rotation. Use it for scale patterns, feathers, fur and textures that follow a curved path.

Practical Applications

Fish or Dragon Scale Texture

1. Model one scale shape (an oval with a slight taper and surface curve)
2. Create a sculpting brush from it
3. Use Deposit with Dynamic Rotation
4. Stamp or drag in overlapping rows across the surface

Brick or Stone Texture

1. Model a slightly worn brick shape
2. Create a brush from it
3. Use Deposit and change the Angle between rows
4. Stamp in regular rows to build a wall surface

Fur or Hair Texture

1. Use a thin tapered spike as the brush
2. Tick Dynamic Rotation
3. Drag in the direction the fur would flow

Leaf or Floral Background Fill

1. Model a single leaf or petal and create a brush from it
2. Stamp across a background, changing the Angle between stamps for natural variety

Knurling or Grip Texture

1. Create a small diamond or pyramid shape as the brush
2. Deposit it in a tight regular grid

Merge Checkbox

The Merge checkbox controls whether the result of one sculpting stroke is merged with the previous strokes or added onto them. With Merge on, overlapping impressions blend together, which suits organic textures. With Merge off, they are added on top of each other, which suits bold, clearly defined stamps. Try both on a test model and compare.

Tips for Best Results

• Start with low Strength, because a custom brush can add or remove a lot of material quickly
• Use the Smooth tool (key 1) between stamping sessions to blend harsh transitions
• Vary the Angle between stamps for a more natural look
• Tick Show Visible Model (F) to see the surrounding components while only the selected component is sculpted
• For large areas, hold the left button and sweep instead of clicking one impression at a time
• After texturing, a light pass with Smooth at very low strength can soften the texture