Linking 2D Dieline Locations to the 3D Model Mesh in Blender | ME_3D_006
In this tutorial, we'll take a look at the process followed in Blender 2.79 to assign specific parts of your 3D model's mesh onto specific areas of your 2D dieline or guide image.
The end result will be we are able to visibly see that areas of the mesh are positioned in strategic areas of the 2D dieline image.
Please note: This is not designed as a Blender tutorial so will not go through all of the Blender commands and requirements. We will be sticking strictly to the process required for your eventual MegaEdit 3D model.
1. We again begin in Blender
We'll start in Blender with our 3D model opened. We are continuing from the previous tutorial, where our UV Mapping has already been started but not refined.
If you cannot see the 3D model mesh you may not be in "Edit" mode. Click the 3D viewer and hit the Tab key until you see the mesh being displayed.
2. Select your first group of elements to position relative to your dieline or template
In my example, our aim is ensure that a large image can be placed onto one of the boxes faces.
I've selected the group of elements which correspond to this location.
3. Navigate to the UV/Image Editor tab
You will see the mesh you have selected on the 3D model is displayed on the 2D image, however its positioning and sizing is likely wrong at this stage.
4. Selection options are located at the bottom of the screen. Select the option allowing you to highlight entire islands of mesh elements.
5. Right click on the element island to select it
6. Press the G key to to enable grab mode, and move your element island to the location corresponding with the selected elements on the 3D model.
7. Press the S key to enable scale mode and resize your selected element island to match the size and position of the corresponding selected elements on the 3D model.
8. If required, press the R key to rotate the selected element island, so that it matches your 3D model.
9. Repeat these steps for any of the 3D model elements you need to map to specific locations on the 2D dieline / template
10. Right click here
11. We need to ensure the rest of our elements, that we don't intend to map to specific locations on the 2D dieline / template, are positioned in a suitable location
Begin by selecting the 3D viewer and pressing the A key. This will highlight all elements and will show all element islands on the 2D image.
12. Select the window with the 2D view and click the A key until all element islands are selected
13. Hold Shift and right click over the element islands you have already positioned to deselect them
14. Use the keys G and S to position the remaining elements in a suitable location
In my case, I wish the rest of the elements to always display the main canvas colour. In this example that is the cardboard colour. So, I move the remaining element islands to a 'cardboard' area which we are not intending to modify as part of our variable product.
You can of course position all element islands correctly if you wish, however this may often be surplus to requirements.
15. Next, we will export a json file which can be used by MegaEdit.
This requires the THREE plugin, which due to age has been depreciated and generally unavailable. If you need this, you will need to contact Infigo.
16. Select a file location, give it a name and click Export THREE
