Wrapping an image around a cylinder
Earlier this week, I found myself answering an email question about how to apply an image to a cylinder. After I was done, it occurred to me that there were probably a lot of people who could use the tip.
To wrap an image (like a JPEG) around a cylindrical form, follow these steps:
- Create a cylinder by extruding a circle with the Push/Pull tool. This technique only works for cylinders created in this way.
- Select the side face of your cylinder.
- Choose File > Import to open the Import dialog box.
- Select the image you'd like to map to the cylinder.
- Make sure "Use as Texture" is selected in the Import dialog box.
- Click Import.
- Click once on the bottom edge of your cylinder to position the lower-left corner edge of your image.
- Click again on the top edge of your cylinder to position the top edge of your image.
- The image will appear as a sliver of photo on the side of your cylinder – that's OK.
- Open the Materials dialog box (from the Window menu), and click the In Model button to see the materials in your model. The In Model button looks like a little house.
- A thumbnail of the image you imported in Step 5 should be visible; click on it to load it into your Paint Bucket as a texture.
- Click on your cylinder. Your image should wrap around it completely.
Watch this video to see the steps in action: