Mapping

Contains controls that let you define the way that the pattern or bump map is applied to surfaces in a rendered image.

Mapping

Sets the mapping mode.

• Parametric
— The image file is mapped to the element, relative to the element's origin. Thus, if you rotate an element that has the material assigned to it, the pattern map and/or bump map rotates with it.

• Planar
— Aligns the horizontal axis of the pattern map with the horizontal plane (x,y) of the DGN file. The image then is tilted to match the slope of the selected surface. This mode is useful for materials attached to SmartSolids.

• Elevation Drape
— “Drapes” an image file over all elements contained in a view. Useful for mapping (scanned) aerial photography to a 3D digital terrain model.

Dynamically Adjust Map icon

Available only when a material previously has been assigned to a level/color. Activates the Dynamically Adjust Map tool, which lets you adjust the position of a map interactively.

Units

(Mapping mode set to Parametric only) Sets the mapping units.

• Master
— Maps the image to a size defined in real world units — the master units for the model.

• Surface
— Stretches the image to fit the surface to which it is assigned.

Flip

If on, mirrors the pattern or bump map image.

Size

Sets the pattern or bump map's size — used to repeat or tile the map on elements.

• X
— Size in the X direction.

• Y
— Size in Y direction.

• Z
— Size in Z direction (procedural textures only).

Offset

Sets the offset of the pattern or bump maps from the x, y, and (for 3D procedural textures only) z axes. The offset is set as a percentage of the pattern or bump map.

Rotation

Sets the angle at which the selected pattern or bump map is rotated when applied to elements in the model. Useful examples include angled wood paneling or tiles.

Transparent Background

(Pattern maps only) If on, the pattern map has a transparent background. The background is defined as all pixels that have the same color as the image's upper left pixel.

Invert Bump

(Bump maps only) If on, the bump map is inverted — the “hills” (bumps) become “valleys” and vice-versa.

Origin Relative to Object

(3D procedural textures only) If off, the texture is applied to each pixel using only its position in space. If on, the position is calculated relative to the origin of the individual object, or the origin of the cell where a number of elements are grouped.

When animating a procedurally mapped object, this setting should be on, to avoid the phenomenon of the object “sliding” through the texture and producing a different mapping for each frame.