How do you use the 3D tool in Procreate?

Procreate's 3D painting tools transform how artists work with three-dimensional models, allowing for direct painting, texture mapping, and immersive viewing right from your iPad.

Getting Started with 3D in Procreate

To begin using 3D tools in Procreate, you'll first need a 3D model. Procreate supports common 3D file formats.

Importing a 3D Model

Open Procreate: Launch the application on your iPad.
Import: Tap the + icon in the Gallery to create a new canvas, then tap "Import" to browse your files. You can also drag and drop 3D files directly into the Procreate Gallery.
Supported Formats: Procreate typically supports .USDZ and .OBJ files. Ensure your model is in one of these formats. Many 3D models designed for AR are in USDZ.

Once imported, your 3D model will appear on a canvas, ready for painting and manipulation.

Painting Your 3D Model

Procreate offers powerful ways to apply colors and textures directly onto your 3D models.

1. Direct 3D Painting (Paint Through Mesh)

You can paint directly onto the surface of your 3D model using any of Procreate's brushes. This method, often referred to as "Paint Through Mesh," is intuitive and visually immediate.

Real-time Feedback: As you paint, the colors and textures wrap around the contours of your model in real-time.
Procreate Brushes: All your favorite Procreate brushes, including those with custom textures and effects, work seamlessly in 3D.
Layers: Just like 2D painting, you can use layers to organize your paint strokes, apply adjustments, and experiment with different looks without altering previous work.

2. Using 2D Texture Maps (Show 2D Texture)

For more detailed or precise work, Procreate allows you to "unwrap" your 3D object into a flat 2D texture map. This feature is invaluable for intricate detailing and correcting paint.

Accessing the 2D Map: Within the 3D workspace, look for an option to show the 2D texture. This will display a flattened UV map of your model.
Precise Detailing: Paint directly on this 2D map to block out base colors, add fine details, or touch up areas with greater accuracy, much like painting a regular 2D illustration.
Automatic Projection: Your 2D painting is automatically projected back onto your 3D model, ensuring seamless integration. This is excellent for creating intricate patterns or text that needs to align perfectly.

Enhancing Your Scene with Lighting & Environment

Lighting plays a critical role in how your 3D model appears. Procreate's 3D tools include options to adjust the scene's lighting and environment.

Edit Lighting & Environment: Access dedicated controls to modify light sources, their intensity, color, and direction.
Multiple Light Sources: Add and manipulate various light sources to highlight different aspects of your model and create dynamic shadows.
Environment Presets: Choose from a range of environment maps or custom images that reflect light onto your model, simulating different ambient conditions (e.g., studio, outdoor, cinematic).
Material Properties: Adjust properties like metallic, roughness, and normal mapping within the material panel to define how light interacts with your model's surfaces, adding realism and depth.

Immersive Viewing with Augmented Reality (AR)

Once your 3D model is painted and lit, Procreate enables you to view it in augmented reality.

View in AR: This feature projects your 3D creation into the real world through your iPad's camera.
Real-world Context: Place your painted model on your desk, in a room, or outdoors to see how it looks in a physical environment.
Interactive Experience: Walk around your virtual model, observe it from different angles, and even capture photos or videos of it in its augmented state. This is incredibly useful for client presentations or personal enjoyment.

Essential 3D Workflow Tips

Navigation: Use standard Procreate gestures to rotate, zoom, and pan your 3D model. Two fingers to rotate, pinch to zoom, and three fingers to pan.
Masking & Selections: Utilize Procreate's selection tools and masks to isolate areas of your 3D model for specific painting or texture application.
Reference Layers: Import reference images onto separate layers in your canvas to help with color choices and details as you paint your 3D model.
Exporting Your Work: Procreate allows you to export your 3D models with their new textures in various formats, ready for sharing or use in other 3D applications.

Key 3D Features at a Glance

Feature	Description	Primary Use Case
Import 3D Models	Supports .USDZ, .OBJ for getting models into Procreate.	Starting a new 3D project.
Paint Through Mesh	Direct painting on the 3D surface with any Procreate brush.	Intuitive, real-time coloring and texturing.
Show 2D Texture	Unwraps the 3D model to a flat 2D map for precise painting.	Detailed texture work, base color blocking, fixes.
Edit Lighting	Adjust light sources, intensity, and direction.	Illuminating the model, creating ambiance.
Environment Maps	Uses HDR images to light and reflect on your model.	Simulating real-world lighting environments.
Material Properties	Controls metallic, roughness, and normal mapping of surfaces.	Defining how surfaces react to light for realism.
View in AR	Places your 3D model in your real-world environment via camera.	Immersive presentation, context, virtual display.
Layer System	Organizes paint strokes and effects similar to 2D illustration.	Non-destructive editing, experimentation.

For more detailed tutorials and updates, always refer to the official Procreate Handbook.