Texture (New Custom Feature!)

MichaelPascoe · August 2023

Glad you like it

@michael_kline. If you like, share a copy of your studio and I'll take a look to see how it could be optimized for performance.

There are a few reasons it runs slowly:

Boolean operations (add, subtract, intersect) struggle when parts get cumbersome (even with optimized code)
Code optimization (this was one of my first feature, so it does need to be re-written)
Copying the code will not make it run faster (not that I'm aware of)

michael_kline · August 2023

There are a few reasons it runs slowly:
Boolean operations (add, subtract, intersect) struggle when parts get cumbersome (even with optimized code)
Code optimization (this was one of my first feature, so it does need to be re-written)

I have a texture of offset diamonds that is for additional grip friction. The "add" feature doesnt work on it, i have to make a million parts and then merge them with the body. I found that mirroring the set and saying merge with all also combines all, but everything is incredibly slow. I can dm you the link if you want to take a look. also, the model prints amazing.

MichaelPascoe · August 2023

@michael_kline, ah, printing; good news! If you export a bunch of Onshape parts as a composite, the printer software doesn't care as long as its a single file (I think I picked that trick up from @Evan_Reese). So, you can simply composite the texture to the main body, and have a composite part side A, and a composite part side B; like this:

I also used the quick pattern option since the texture is on the flat portion of this part. Speeds things up quite a bit.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/1261d9eaaf193b5f9ca95d8e/w/19aba0d466e775e605043f16/e/3f05bb4c8...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5022071/uploads/editor/q6/lxzgy9ypg3ox.gif

ARTy · August 2023

Hi @MichaelPascoe, I was wondering if there is a way to choose several faces of a surface. I have read that it was on your to-do list, but I haven't seen yet if it was already in the script.

Cheers,
Aaron

MichaelPascoe · August 2023

@ARTy, it is in the to-do list for the re-write of this feature. Definitely functionality I would like to see in the re-write.

jacek_zagaja · September 2023

By using texture feature can I create regular pattern like this?
Plate 53x63cm, 10mm deep, 25mm MDF

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5022071/uploads/editor/td/0jyr03akvwu6.jpg

MichaelPascoe · September 2023

@jacek_zagaja
Yes, you would need to set up a custom texture, see page 1 for how to create a custom texture.

Here are the steps you can take to achieve this kind of texture:

Create a custom texture part studio.
In another studio, use the Texture feature and continue the steps below:
Select the custom texture option.
Select the part from your custom texture studio.
Add a configuration for the border around each part. In this configuration, set the scale of the texture so it applies to all parts.
Add another configurations applied to every other column. Move in the y direction half of your texture's height.
Note that you may need to texture a larger part, then cut it down to size so that the "dragon scales" are cut off all around your main part.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/43c979ba9d2ff76e13baa7d0/w/0a0dbb999c525c8b0333dc86/e/d183c61f1248870...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5022071/uploads/editor/3q/9bi4vi7q0k5s.gif

jacek_zagaja · September 2023

Dear Michael,

This is excelent help as always. I have spent an hour trying to understand all steps and reduce border to 1mm and make a proper 53x63cm but I need more time to do it right.

paul_everington · September 2023

Hi @MichaelPascoe, Can Texture be used to add a rough finish (like a sandstone surface or Cura's Fuzzy surface) or could this random bumpy effect be added in the future?

MichaelPascoe · September 2023

@paul_everington, those are most likely too detailed of textures for Onshape to handle in the part studio. This example shows about as small as you can comfortably go. You could go smaller, but not too much smaller, but you risk timing out.

If you are only going for appearance, Onshape's Render Studio can achieve any texture you like. Though you would need either a Pro or Enterprise account to access the beta.

roman_liubenko · February 2024

Dear Michael,
I have troubles with adding texture to spheres. I'm getting the error: 'cannot compute tangent plane'. Looks like I'm missing some ground knowledge. Could you please help with it?

MichaelPascoe · February 2024

@roman_liubenko, this is one of the current limitations of how I wrote the original feature that should be addressed in the elusive re-write of this feature. For now, try splitting the face of the sphere very close to the top and bottom or whichever pole orientation you need, then texture the almost sphere.

https://cad.onshape.com/documents/af22fc4ba91d14401ede7c84/w/9f75d90a49b989691beaf37b/e/24c798419348ee5a4f3b...

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5022071/uploads/editor/7z/hcwt34t3osbc.gif

thomas_coblentz · September 2024

Hey! Was there ever any luck adding the multi-face option?

MichaelPascoe · September 2024

.

@thomas_coblentz I started a re-write of the feature but haven't had time to do anything with it.

It will most likely need to be sponsored ($) before I'll have time to re-write it the way that I have planned. That way I can incorporate it into my daily work instead of after hours. Feel free to reach out if you want to help sponsor it: DM's here work or you can contact through our website

https://www.cadsharp.com/

.

steven_de_smedt · October 2024

hello, would it be possible to have a leather texture?

MichaelPascoe · October 2024

@steven_de_smedt So far, even my best attempts to make leather with this feature look horrible. As the feature currently is, I'll say no, not easily anyway. Then again, maybe I have the wrong idea and need to simplify my approach. I'll give it another shot.

MichaelPascoe · October 2024

Ok, @steven_de_smedt, this is about as close as I've been able to get, it should be a good example studio for you though. Here is where the custom "leather" texture part studio is stored.

And here is the test studio using the custom leather texture:
https://cad.onshape.com/documents/46897a2d60ade8dbb04077f3/w/23398bd91a932d1432a5d204/e/660790ee19b59a45034a4661?renderMode=0&tangentEdgeStyle=2&uiState=670d6e494a3e6151c16b0765

GAVIN_MILLER · November 2024

cool

aris_setyawan · November 2024

Thank you for your hard work @MichaelPascoe; this is really useful in the design of the product visualization.

luke_bacigalupi · November 2024

I'm working texturing on a Joystick for a controller, and it's not liking it when I try to texture it. It says "Texture 1 did not regenerate properly: Cannot compute tangent plane." Any idea on what I should do? @MichaelPascoe

MichaelPascoe · December 2024

@luke_bacigalupi This is a known limitation of how it is currently coded. For now, you will have to split the dome's face with a very small circle at the top. This will allow the feature to calculate the tangent planes.

If your still having issues, feel free to share the document with me and I'll take a look.

https://forum.onshape.com/discussion/comment/99992#Comment_99992

Derek_Van_Allen_BD · January 2025

I know this wouldn't help performance on an already performance heavy script but by switching to the full fat booleanBodies() operation on line 1493 you get sheet metal support for subtraction. This texture tool is a laser kerf bending tool in disguise.

EvanReese · January 2025

ooh I love that use case

Derek_Van_Allen_BD · January 2025

It's not the smoothest workflow because nothing sheet metal ever is but I think some basic extrusions like this Instructables link would cover a lot of bases for me. https://www.instructables.com/Curved-laser-bent-wood/

One of the photos in that link looked like the Onshape logo so I tried it since it's a default in the texture tool. No island bodies left behind either, it just worked.

anssi2704 · June 2025

Hi! I was wondering if Im doing something wrong with the texture tool or does it not like curved surfaces? Im trying to make a stippled surface to get more grip. It worked well on that flat surface but it does nothing when I press OK.

MichaelPascoe · June 2025

Within the Configuration 1, go to the Move tab, and move the in the -z a very small amount so that the top of the texture tools are not under the surface.

MichaelPascoe · July 2025

Regarding the multi face input questions:
Until the elusive update to the Texture feature arrives, you can now use the Approximate Face feature to quickly create a single face from multiple faces.

g_lewis · August 2025

@MichaelPascoe Trying this out for the first time today. I'm struggling to get my texture to subtract from the part, but adding works just fine. Any tips?

g_lewis · August 2025

MichaelPascoe · August 2025

@g_lewis try changing the pattern type to "Staggered" rather than "Staggered & Trimmed".

Worst case, you have to create the texture as new parts then manually use the boolean feature to subtract.
I'm in the middle of a re-write for the Texture feature that will have some major improvements. One of them being it will have the option to output the texture as a composite part, allowing you to easily do whatever you want with the grouped parts.

Texture (New Custom Feature!)

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