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For 3D texturing projects I often need to mask certain areas around a mesh. To do this, I currently need to use the pen tool and create paths. But this is a pretty time-consuming process. Using the magic wand tool will create selections but then I don't have control over removing sections. Here is an example image and workflow.

  • I have a UV map as a layer
  • I need to create a path around one of the UV islands as close to the border as possible
  • After creating the path I contract it and then feather it so that I have a more natural transition

Blank UV Map Blank UV Map

After Selection

enter image description here

I would imagine there is a more clever way to make my selections, but my attempts at using the magic wand or other selection tools have failed. Thanks for any advice you might have!

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  • Hi. Welcome to GDSE. The magic wand tool won't work well on such images because there is a lack of contrast. Perhaps you could create a high contrast version for the purpose of making selections, and then remove it afterwards. Commented May 28, 2024 at 13:12
  • Is it really necessary to mask it precisely? I'd think anything out of the mesh bounds won't show up anywhere in the 3D object. Commented May 28, 2024 at 13:17
  • Thanks for the welcome and comments! Billy let me see if I can get a more contrasty version. @luciano I need to mask because I'm essentially feathering in the content in these selections. The selection will become an alpha mask and so my displacement or bump, etc, will not have a hard edge start at the UV seam. Commented May 28, 2024 at 13:18

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You will get better results if you export a UV map with more contrast. Apply a solid color material to your model (looking at your images, probably a white material would be best), bake it and export the resulting UV map. Then you'll have white blocks of color against a black background.

From there you can easily select with either magic wand or color range, for example. After that you should have no trouble shrinking + feathering the selection.

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  • Bingo. Thank you! This is going to save time in this workflow, I really appreciate the quick answer! Commented May 28, 2024 at 13:32
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    @K_C no problem! Sometimes the easiest solution is to go back to the beginning of the workflow and fix it there :) Commented May 28, 2024 at 13:34

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