--- title: "Stencil" url: "https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/TOOLSCULPTBRUSHPULL-MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_GROUP.html" section_path: "Sculpting > Sculpt Menu > Brush > Draw > Stencil" element_id: "TOOLSCULPTBRUSHPULL" group_id: "MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_GROUP" description: "The Stencil function displays a bitmap as a stencil over the Sculpt object in the Viewport. This stencil can be moved, rotated or scaled. The stencil can …" --- ## Stencil ![Image: 035453.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/035453.jpg) The **Stencil** function displays a bitmap as a stencil over the Sculpt object in the Viewport. This stencil can be moved, rotated or scaled. The stencil can then be applied to the object within a given brush's defined region (not all brushes support the Stencil function!). The following applies to stencil bitmaps: Black regions of the bitmap set a brush's effect to 0; white regions set the brush's effect to maximum; shades of gray set the brush's effect accordingly, depending on the shade of gray. 16-bit or 32-bit color depth is recommended for the stencil bitmap. The stencil shown in the example above can be moved interactively as follows using a three-button mouse: - Move: `T` + left click - Rotate: `T` + middle click - Scale: `T` + right click ### Stencil Preset Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_PRESET` ### Load Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_LOADPRESET` ### Save Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_ADDPRESET` ### Clear Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_RESET` These buttons can be used if you want to archive Stencils with individual settings for later use. Your Stencils (as well as all other Cinema 4D presets) will be saved to a library in your user directory under MAXON/Version/library/browser/user.lib4d. In the Content Browser you will find the presets (to download, delete, etc.) in the Presets/user/Sculpt Stencils Preset directory. - **Load**: Loads a Stencil preset from a list of available preset. Note that only Stencil presets can be listed here that are located in **user.lib4d**, **sculpting.lib4d** or **sculpt_X.lib4d** (whereby, X’ can be an directory). - **Save**: The current Stencil settings are saved as a preset in the library. - **Reset**: Resets the Stencil to its default settings. Tip:Note that bitmaps will not be saved for presets that contain bitmaps. The preset will contain an absolute path to the bitmap. Therefore you should make sure that Cinema 4D can access this path. ### Stencil Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL` Enables or disables the **Stencil** function. ### Image Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_FILENAME` Load the bitmap on which the Stencil function should be based here (white=min. effect; black=max. effect). In the Content Browser under Presets/Sculpting/Stencils you will find numerous stamps you can use (simply drag your selection into the **Image** field). ### Material Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_MATERIAL_LINK` The stamp can not only be defined using a bitmap but also using a material. This bears the advantage that Cinema 4D shaders can be used (e.g., Noise). These must be converted internally to bitmaps. The **Material Resolution** setting in the Preference menu’s **Sculpting** menu defines the bitmap’s size. The loaded texture’s Color channel is evaluated based on its grayscale values: Black = no effect; White = maximum effect; in-between tones produce correspondingly strong or weak effects. ### Transparency Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_TRANSPARENCY` · Range: [0.00..1.00] Defines the transparency with which the stencil bitmap will be displayed in the Viewport. The bitmap will be hidden automatically when sculpting (mouse button pressed). ### Visible Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_VISIBLE` Toggles the stencil’s visibility (the `Q` key can also be used). ### Hide During Stroke Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_HIDEONSTROKE` If this option is enabled, the stencil will be hidden as soon as the mouse button is pressed, i.e., the brush will be active. ### Angle Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_ANGLE` · Range: [0..360°] Use this setting to define the orientation of the Stencil in the Viewport. This can also be done interactively by pressing `T` + middle mouse button. ### Scale Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_SCALE` · Range: [0.01..100.00] Use this setting to scale the Stencil in the Viewport. This can also be done interactively be pressing `T` + right mouse button. ### Translate Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_TRANSLATE` · Range: [XYZ ] Use this setting to change the position of the Stencil in the Viewport. This can also be done interactively by pressing `T` + left mouse button. ### Tile X Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_TILEX` ### Tile Y Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_TILEY` Use these settings to tile the Stencil horizontally (**Tile X**) or vertically (**Tile Y**). ### Flip X Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_FLIP_X` ### Flip Y Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_FLIP_Y` Use these settings to mirror the Stencil horizontally (**Flip X**) or vertically (**Flip Y**). ### Gray Value Parameter ID: `MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STENCIL_MIDVALUE` · Range: [0.00..1.00] ![Image: 035454.jpg](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/Resources/Images/035454.jpg) Whereas the **Draw** brush, for example, raises (bitmap region lighter than Gray Value) or lowers (bitmap region darker than Gray Value) the mesh, the **Gray Value** defines the null level at which nothing happens. If **Gray Value** is set to 0, black regions will remain unaffected by the brush, brighter values will cause the corresponding regions to be raised. See also [Gray Value](https://help.maxon.net/c4d/en-us/Content/html/TOOLSCULPTBRUSHPULL-MDATA_SCULPTBRUSH_STAMP_GROUP.html.md) for more information.