modify materials

[dsmith]

I have the v18.0.1.1001 of TFP Pro 2016 running on Windows 10.    So far I'm very impressed with the flexibility.    I was trying to modify a material siding color but no luck at all.   Eventually I'll want to add a new material but let's start with changing the color.   I did try the 3D custom workshop but it seemed to only work on furnishings not materials.       What might I be doing wrong?   Thanks

[Patricia G.]

Hi there,

I will divide my answer in 3 parts:
1 - As you probably noticed, TFP V18 has 3 materials' libraries =>
      - Stock (textures that come with the program)
      - User (Your own textures) and
      - Favorites (your selected textures)
You can't change the textures in the Stock library => in order to make any change (the size, for example) => right click on the texture => copy to User library. Once in the User's library, you can right click and edit the properties.

2 - TFP doesn't include any tool to modify the colors of the current materials however, you can import your own materials => they will appear in the User's library, in the desired category. The manufacturers usually have a catalog with all the available colors of their products. Once you find the picture => File => Import => Material to library. I have an extensive library of textures, so let me know if you need help finding the textures. Also, there are many free graphic programs to modify the pictures (let me know if you need recommendations)

3 -  The 3D Custom Workshop Power Tool is intended to develop or modify 3D objects (hence the name), however, I confess that sometimes I use the 3DCW to create my own textures , especially if I need an uncommon composition. In the image attached, you can see a composition of white and decorated tiles created in the 3DCW Power Tool. After I created the composition => I used File => Export 3D => jpg (or png, etc) => then imported it as material. In the second image, you can see the the new texture on the wall.

Patricia G.

[dsmith]

Thank you.  That was the missing info. I thought I could export material, modify and then import.   I know what to do now. thanks again.

[Patricia G.]

You're welcome! 

I thought I could export material, modify and then import.

Yes, you can. If you copy the material to the user library (right click => copy to user library) => you can export the material => change it => import it again.
The User libraries are located at C:\Users\XXXXX\Documents\IMSI Design\User Library

Patricia G.

[dsmith]

Hi Patricia,
Interesting about export material.  It is still not obvious to me how to do it.  I do have a copy in my user library but this attachment shows my options for exporting and it only seems my project can be exported.

[Patricia G.]

Hi there,

Some mixed concepts here.

Step 1 => as I explained in my first post:

You can't change the textures in the Stock library => in order to make any change (the size, for example) => right click on the texture => copy to User library.

See the first image attached

Step 2 => you will have a new texture, identical to the original, in the user library.  Go to the Windows Explorer => C:\Users\XXXXX\Documents\IMSI Design\User Library => In the user library, in your user category, you will find 3 files => PPV, PTI and PTX => by double clicking the PTX file, it will open with your default graphic program (see 2nd image attached) => in this case, I just opened with the Viewer, you can open it with other graphic programs or save it to other formats. Of course, you can change the material color.

Step 3 => After you change the material, you can import it => File => Import => Material to library.

If you are interested, in my eBook, I have an entire section with step by step tutorial about libraries and textures. Links are below.

Patricia G.

[dsmith]

I found the PTX file. Thanks again!

[Patricia G.]

You're welcome! 

Patricia G.