How to Add Textures to 3D Models in SelfCAD

Nov 11, 2024 | Moses Zikei

Step-by-Step Guide: Adding Texture to a 3D Model

Texturing is very important in 3D modeling because it makes 3D objects look realistic and detailed. While the model gives the shape, textures add surface details like colors, patterns, and tiny imperfections. This makes the objects look like real materials, such as wood, skin, metal, or fabric just to mention a few. Good texturing improves the visual quality of the model and makes it more organic. In this article, we are looking at how you can use SelfCAD, a user-friendly software, to add texture to a pre-modeled model of the brain. You can check out the interactive tutorial.

Start by launching SelfCAD and open the workspace:

SelfCAD workspace

Start by importing the object of the brain as follows:

Importing 3D model to SelfCAD

Activate the Polygon Selection and click on the gear icon to open more settings. Set the Tolerance to 4:

Polygon selection in SelfCAD

Select the highlighted region and click on the “X” to close the selection panel:

3D designing in SelfCAD

On the right side panel, click on the Materials and change the settings to Textures:

Adding materials to 3D model

Set the texture category to Custom:

Adding custom textures to 3d Models

Click Add to import texture image. Click on the Brain Texture jpg button to apply the texture. Then set Settings to UV:

Texturing in selfcad

Set the UV Generate Mode to EditUV mode:

UV mode in SelfCAD

Then click the Preview button and there you go, it will look as follows, and set the transformation to Scale:

Previewing 3D models

Drag the highlighted gizmos to the highlighted points to scale the profile, then tick the check mark to finalize Materials:

Applying textures

From the right panel, click on the color picker and select the pink button. Click ok to confirm the color:

Coloring in selfcad

Set the rendering mode to Smooth:

Smoothing 3d models

Finally, the brain is ready:

3d models in selfcad

Brain 3d model

In fields like medical visualization, gaming, movies, and virtual reality, texturing helps create environments and characters that resemble the real ones. It allows artists to add lots of detail without making the model too complex. This is why texturing is very essential when working with 3D models.

Enjoy powerful modeling, rendering, and 3D printing tools without the steep learning curve.

Need to learn 3D modeling? Get started with interactive tutorials.