09.05 Maya 3D Paint

The 3D Paint Tool in Maya allows you to paint texture information directly onto the surface of a 3D model. Instead of editing only in a flat 2D image, you can paint on the object itself and immediately see how the texture appears across its form. This is especially useful for models with curved, irregular, or complex surfaces where it can be difficult to place texture details accurately in UV space alone.

3D painting can be used to add color, surface variation, masks, and painted texture detail directly onto a model. It is often part of a larger texturing workflow.

Before using the 3D Paint Tool, a model should usually have:

• a UV layout
• a material assigned
• a texture file or target image to paint onto
• enough texture resolution for the intended level of detail

These tutorials introduce the Maya 3D Paint workflow, show how it can be used on more complex forms, and connect it to broader texturing workflows in Maya and Substance Painter.

• Maya 3D Paint Tool  
• Maya 3D Paint Complex Object

Basic Maya 3D PaintWorkflow

A typical 3D painting workflow in Maya looks like this:

1. Model or import the object
2. UV unwrap the mesh
3. Assign a material
4. Create or connect a texture file for painting
5. Use the 3D Paint Tool to paint directly on the model
6. Save the painted texture maps
7. Refine the material using additional maps or procedural textures
8. Export or render the finished textured model

Related Topics

• UV Coordinates
• Basic UV Mapping Maya