Higher decal resolution
Higher resolution for decals would be nice. Had to add a decal to a product shot and it was pixilated on the render image.
Really annoying because I wasn't able to make FINAL detail shots of the product and had to add the decals in Photoshop by hand.
BTW: Is there a limit for the resolution of decals?
Fabian Hayes
shared this idea
Hey everyone! I saw a good number of new questions here, so thought I’d respond to everyone with an update. Unfortunately we still don’t have true ‘vector’ support in Dimension.
Whatever ‘size’ and resolution your vector is in Illustrator is what it’s going to be applied as in Dimension. When importing to Dimension we convert it to a .png and use that.
I recommend using a minimum of about 1000×1000 size images from Ai or Ps. 2000×2000 is better. 4000×4000 is best! ;D
This quality reduction can also be cause because of the way 3D models work. The entire image you use is shared across the model and then only as a part of the canvas based on camera zoom. So you could be zooming in to part of the model and rendering it at a higher resolution than the graphic was originally.
Decal resolution can also be affected by the way the model was created. If you’re really stuck on quality you can try resetting the models UVs (the coordinate system used to map 2D graphics to the 3D surface). Select the object, then go to the Object menu > Generate UVs. This will basically unwrap the 3D model into 2D space and replace the UVs with generated ones. It could increase or decrease quality since it’s automatic, but it’s worth a try if you’re stuck!
We do plan to natively ‘resize’ vectors in Dimension and improve some of the texturing aspects we’re using to get better quality, but we won’t be getting to it this year.
48 comments
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Mark Nolan
commented
Dimensions is a great tool, but I agree with other recent posts that adding a decal resolution setting would be extremely useful. At the moment producing decals creates a whole set of additional files and makes the workflow that much more cumbersome and tedious, particularly trying to keep designs in sync . I use AI and DN for packaging and most layouts will be far smaller than 4,000 x 4,000px.
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Hector Cabarcas
commented
@glowrepeat Great tip. Thank you.
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glow repeat
commented
UPDATE: Just my two cents, following feedback from Dn team. How to work with Illustrator decals for now, that needs to be crisp and clean:
1. In Illustrator change artboard to pixels and size 4000x4000 - then scale your decal to fill the artboard (to configure artboard, choose the Artboard Tool and then doubleclick the Artboard name “Artboard 1” to open dialog)
2. Save your .ai file
3. In Dimension select your model and choose ‘Place Graphic on Model’ - then point to your .ai file, and place it on the model. It should now be crisp and clean.
4. To edit your graphic, double click the thumb in Dimension. It will open in Illustrator. Make your changes and save. Vector is now automatically updated in Dimension.TIP! If you need to keep a copy of your decal at its original size (for production reasons), consider duplicating your Artboard 1 and scale the duplicated Artboard 2 to 4000x4000 pixels – then in Dimension choose Artboard 2 as the source. Of course you will have to manually retrofit changes made on the big decal on Artboard 2 to the original decal on Artboard 01, but at least now you have everything in one file.
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Vector decals support would bring Dn into a new league, and make it more relevant for industrial designers like myself. I'm doing packaging visualization, where you are making minor adjustments e.g. labels with tiny text going on a tube. Having to save it out to a png, is annoyingly disruptive to the workflow + in creates 'double book keping' on vector files (used for production) and pseudo png'ed decals . There are so many powerful things about Dn - the user friendliness, substance designer support, vray as the render engine etc. The one crucial thing missing for me to switch, is resolution independant vector decals. I also would forego any other great new features in favor of this. P.S. did some testing to conclude if Dimension was up to my tasks rendering out vectors to png's at 4000x4000 which works, but bit of a pain.
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Nick Girling
commented
Hi Jeanette, I would happily forgo more lighting options in favour of you moving the resolution improvements to resolve jagginess of decals. I can see that it is on your agenda and you have it earmarked for next year (with some improvements already taken place). I suspect that this would be something that most would agree that resolution of decals is a cornerstone feature. If there is a vote to move this up the list to overtake additional lighting effects, then its a big yes from me.
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White Night
commented
Even though I use high res Image (JPG/PNG) as deco map for the PKG, the detailed texts still to be blurred when I published with a 3D scene link for review.
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Daniel Wasiluk
commented
Another tip guys:
If you're working in AI, let's say on packaging design in real-life print size and you'll drag your elements to libraries and then from libraries to dimensions, the quality will be total crap. What you need to do is create a new file in AI for WEB in high pixel resolution (for my design I've used 2400x2400), copy your elements there, scale them up and THEN add them to the library. Quality will be much better when exported to dimensions. -
Hector Cabarcas
commented
Why do Adobe Illustrator files used as a placed graphic render in such low resolution? Vector art should come out pristine upon rendering. I’m having to export my Illustrator artboard to PSD in order for my rendered placed grapic to appear crisp. Otherwise using an Illustrator file turns out fuzzy.
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Davide Molinari
commented
Hello. I also want to ask if there are any significant improvements scheduled. I'm planning to teach Dimension for packaging design at school, but at this stage, it needs too many workarounds to work properly on vector decals and to be taught easily. Is a there a significant release for Illustrator compatibility to be expected soon? Thanks
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Tierney Sadowski
commented
Hey I was just wondering if this was still being worked on-it's not resolved in the latest build. I'm sure it's better than before, but certainly not usable at all.
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Daniel Wasiluk
commented
How do I use this new and improved decal resolution? everything I import is still looking as awful as before.
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Miracle Brands
commented
Thank you Admin!!
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Anonymous
commented
Hello all. Just want to chime in. The decal resolution is actually great when you use exported artwork (png/jpg) in high resolution, eg 300 dpi/ppi
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Hey Eli! Just wanted to say that we're listening and are aware of the issue. Sorry for my English error, it happens!
We've made some changes to decals to improve their quality in the last release, and another update will be coming soon (next week) that will also improve the quality a bit. It still won't be a complete fix to making resolution independent decals, but we are getting there.
You are correct in that we haven't prioritized the 'final' fix yet as it requires a significant engineering investment that would postpone other features that we feel we need to get in. This is based on feedback from users and the number of reports of grainy decals being reduced by the partial fixes we've already put in place. We will likely not have truly resolution independent decals until next year. We're a small team and do what we can, we appreciate your patience and hope you'll enjoy the new updates coming to lighting, publishing, exporting, match image, alignment and distribution, and other things in the mean time.
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Miracle Brands
commented
The low res decal rendering is a huge issue. Objects render perfectly but the decals always come out grainy or pixelated. It's disappointing to say the least. Dimension is user friendly but honestly needs a lot of tune ups. Kind of disappointed in the "admin" or "product manager" for this product. Doesn't seem like they are prioritizing this issue. Also, in one of her comments she used the word "irregardless" ... They need to fix this huge problem, REGARDLESS of wether the admin is on vacation or not. -_-
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aaron doty
commented
Just discovered this issue in a render done with Dimension 2.2 - I applied my decals from native .ai files, assuming this would give the best result - only to discover that the rendered output was horribly jaggy. I then outputted my artwork as 300 dpi png files instead and the result is far better.
It would be great to see Dimension supporting high quality decal rendering from .ai files in the future.
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Hayden
commented
Thanks Adobe, I quoted a job based on successful results at a lower resolution and all of the great demonstration videos. Now working on the clients job I learn all my wasted time (many many hours) trying to figure out why the label renders so poorly is actually a program error. How about some money off our subscriptions?
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Jean-Michel Le Goff
commented
I've just tried placing an AI file as a decal, but still get blury images in rendering.
Do I have to increase the Background Scene resolution to get better results?On the other hand, does the cloud rendering use the same render engine ?
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alexis
commented
Tried the beta but it can't open my file. Would be usefull to be able to get the beta without deleting the regular release. BTW i hope the decal is better now, i wonder if the filetype or/and have an effect on the final render ? Actually i'm using Adobe .ai file and i have massive pixel in the final render of my packaging. I wonder why, as it's a vector file. Would it work better with a PDF ? Or a PSD/PNG/… ?
I hope to that the beta fix the problem of the resolution : actually when you chnage the resolution it doesn't change the final render size at all. It's the same pixel size at the end so it's useless.
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Thanks for the feedback, Alex! Glad to hear it's improved. We do have more plans for continued improvement, but wanted to at least give partial upgrade as soon as possible since this is a very painful issue today.
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Alex
commented
Hi Jeanette,
Firstly thanks to the Dimension team for working on this, its great that you are responsive to community feedback.
I have tried the test release for this same issue, and I can say that the results are much better. I am still getting mild jaggedness on decals, but compared to before the problem is much improved. I hope this can continue to be developed until we are looking at perfect results, but this is a great start!
