What to Draw on 3D Dolls?

This time, the theme is "Clever Ways to Utilize 3D Drawing".

 

Since the CLIP STUDIO PAINT Ver.4.0 update, you can freely draw images on 3D drawing figures and 3D primitives, and these images will change with the 3D model's viewing angle!

 

This key introduction focuses on how drawing on [3D drawing figures] can help you easily get angle references for objects commonly seen in character illustrations but often difficult for beginners to master.

 

In this article:

1️⃣ In the first part, I will briefly introduce how to use 3D models, how to draw on them, and list some related operations;

2️⃣ The second part will cover some points to note when drawing on 3D figures;

3️⃣ The final part will introduce objects that can be easily referenced by drawing on 3D figures.

 

Now, let's begin!

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1️⃣ [Introduction to 3D Model Usage]

▶ Adding 3D Models to the Canvas:

 

Select the 3D model from the Material palette and drag it onto the canvas.

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▶ Adjusting 3D Model Shape:

 

If necessary, you can adjust the model's shape in the following location:

[Settings] → [Arrangement] → Uncheck "Fixed Aspect Ratio" → Adjust X and Y values

 

You can also change a hexagonal prism into a triangular prism, etc.

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▶ Drawing on 3D Models:

 

• As of Ver.4.0, drawing is currently only possible on basic 3D models and figures.

• After selecting a 3D model with the [Object] tool, switch to the [Brush] tool to draw directly.

 

• You can choose different brushes for drawing. Even decoration brushes downloaded from the Material library or shared by users can be used effectively.

 

• However, if a brush has special color change or color mixing effect settings, it may not display correctly.

• You may need to adjust different camera angles while drawing. After finishing, adjust it to the angle required for your composition as a reference.

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▶ Drawing with Rulers and Preset Cameras:

 

• If necessary, you can add rulers (e.g., symmetry rulers) to assist with drawing.

• However, newly added rulers will not change with the 3D model's angle.

• After adding a new ruler, use the [Object] tool to select the perspective ruler that comes with the original 3D model and set it to invalid. This way, when drawing, you will only align to the symmetry ruler.

Additionally, before adding a symmetry ruler, if necessary, you can use preset cameras to ensure the figure is perfectly front-facing/back-facing.

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▶ (Important) Using the Camera Switching Function:

 

First, adjust the figure to an angle that suits your composition, then click [Duplicate current camera] in the [Camera] palette.

 

Since you often need to change angles when drawing on figures, this way you won't have to spend time readjusting.

2️⃣ [Notes on Drawing on 3D Figure Models]

▶ Drawing on 3D Figure Models

• Adjusting the body shape will affect the drawn pattern, so you need to adjust the body shape first before drawing.

 

• If you need to paint the entire body, you will need to adjust the camera angle and the figure's pose to draw specific areas (e.g., armpits).

 

• Typically, when drawing clothing on the human body (e.g., socks), an arc is used as the edge of the sock to emphasize the three-dimensional feel of the body. However, when drawing on a 3D figure model, it's important to note that the reference lines on the figure are the correct curve, and there's no need to add extra curves to emphasize the three-dimensional feel.

 

• If you cannot use a symmetry ruler after adjusting the camera angle or changing the figure's pose, you can still draw an approximately symmetrical shape based on the reference lines on the figure for reference.

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▶ Adjusting the 3D Figure's Body Shape and Pose

You can use settings to adjust the 3D figure's height, head-to-body ratio, fullness, and more. Please refer to this official tutorial.

 

For changing poses, please refer to this official tutorial.

By changing the [Camera] perspective parameters, you can adjust the degree of object deformation.

The higher the value, the higher the degree of deformation.

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▶ Pay Attention to the Three-Dimensional Feel of Drawn Objects

When drawing on a figure, depending on what you want to draw on the 3D object, unless it's a tattoo-like pattern that lies completely flat on the body, please remember what to pay attention to during actual drawing:

 

• The thickness of the object needs to be drawn

• How the skin is affected when compressed by the object

• Consider whether the object will be pushed up by the body

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3️⃣ [Effective Use of 3D Figure Drawing References]

Next, we come to the part of actually drawing on the 3D figure!

 

It's important to note that drawing here is for "reference" purposes, so we won't be drawing strictly on the figure.

The key is to draw on the figure, then after changing the camera angle and perspective, obtain the correct shape as an aid for drawing the final illustration.

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💡 Head

▶ Hairline (for swept-back hairstyles)

This is one of the areas beginners easily overlook yet often draw incorrectly.

Especially when hair is swept back, it's easy for dangling bangs to interfere with judgment when drawing from different angles. Drawing simply on a 3D figure at this point can easily provide a reference.

▶ Hat Brim

Drawing the baseline of the hat brim directly on the 3D figure saves time in "putting on" the hat (adjusting the hat to the correct position and angle) for the character. When drawing officially, also pay attention to leaving space between the hat and the hair.

However, this method is more suitable for artists who have a general understanding of hat structures; beginners may need to find additional reference materials. Therefore, you can also spend more time setting the hat and figure to be in a parent-child relationship. This way, when changing the 3D figure's head pose, you won't need to readjust the hat.

For how to set up a parent-child relationship for 3D models, please refer to this official tutorial.

▶ Maid Headbands, Hairbands, etc.

Another convenient reference is hairbands.

It's important to pay attention to ear placement when drawing. Sometimes, in anime-style characters, the ears are positioned slightly forward (or the back of the head is larger), so depending on your art style, decide the placement of the ears and the hairband.

▶ Eye Masks

Like hairbands, it's important to pay attention to ear placement when drawing.

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💡 Upper Body

▶ Shoulder straps, neck ties, etc. on clothing

The example below demonstrates a design where thin clothing straps are tied at the back of the neck.

Sometimes, anime-style characters (especially females) have slightly thinner necks than real people, so depending on your art style, you need to consider this when referencing, or you can directly adjust the neck thickness before drawing.

 

When drawing officially, pay attention to depicting the strap thickness, fabric pushed up at the chest, and how the chest looks when compressed.

Additionally, it's very helpful for complex clothing strap designs often seen in fantasy illustrations:

▶ Holsters, Belts, etc.

Similar to the clothing straps above, belt decorations worn on the body can also be drawn directly on the 3D figure model for angle reference.

 

When drawing officially, first draw harder objects (e.g., iron rings), noting that they will not deform entirely according to the human body. Then, draw the rest of the belt parts according to the position of the iron rings.

▶ How Clothes Look on a Full Bust Figure

Sometimes, beginners are not very familiar with how low-cut women's clothing (e.g., bunny girl outfits, swimsuits) looks. Drawing on a 3D figure model at this point can easily provide a reference.

 

First, adjust the figure's physique to a full bust shape:

When drawing officially, you need to consider the stiffness and cut of the clothing material, as this will affect how it appears in the cleavage area.

 

Additionally, it's important to note that 3D figures cannot perfectly represent how breasts are affected by gravity when a person bends over or lies down. Therefore, you need to decide whether to use this reference method depending on the pose you are drawing.

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💡 Lower Body

▶ Briefs / Underwear

When drawing officially, pay attention to the elasticity of the buttocks.

▶ Patterned Socks / Tights

Some socks or tights have cute designs printed on them, which can be easily drawn using the new feature.

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💡 Full Body

▶ Tattoos, Body Marks, Scars, etc.

This usage is very straightforward and needs no further explanation.

If it's a setting for frequently used characters, it's recommended to draw it and then register it as a material for repeated use.

 

For how to register materials: please refer to the last part of this official help page.

Additionally, you can use decoration brushes to draw tattoo patterns.

However, when rotating the figure's pose or camera angle, there's a chance that un-drawn areas might be exposed. For example, in the example image, the area above the shoulder shows not only broken patterns but also deformation.

 

While it's normal for patterns to deform based on 3D perspective, imagine that when getting a tattoo in real life, a tattoo artist wouldn't ink the side of your body from a frontal angle. Therefore, for areas like above the shoulder, special attention is needed; you must rotate to an appropriate angle for drawing.

▶ Muscle Placement

In the Material library, users have already shared reference 3D figures with human muscle positions marked!

Search for "muscle" or "anatomy" to choose your preferred material.

When using materials to assist drawing, it's important to note that 3D figures may not accurately represent the nuances of muscles in different movements. Additionally, pay attention to depicting the appearance of bones (e.g., elbows, shoulder blades).

 

However, for less commonly drawn subjects, such as "human-attacking, strangely shaped, muscular giants," it might significantly reduce drawing time.

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💡 Others

▶ Figure Markers

CLIP STUDIO PAINT can already register adjusted body shapes in the Material library for immediate use.

However, sometimes it's not easy to find the desired 3D drawing figure body shape at a glance in the Material library. In such cases, making clear markings directly on them allows for quick identification! Moreover, if there is more than one 3D figure on the canvas, this method can also be used for differentiation.

 

Don't underestimate this small help; these are little tips that can make drawing smoother!

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🎁 [Bonus] — Extracting Patterns from 3D Models as Raster Layers (Monochromatic Patterns Only)

As of Ver.4.0, unfortunately, you cannot directly export patterns drawn on 3D models. Furthermore, the sharpness of patterns drawn on models is difficult to control and can easily become blurry. Therefore, the recommended uses above are all based on "reference."

 

However, if you truly need to extract patterns, I will introduce a method that is better than nothing.

Please note that this method can only extract monochromatic patterns or grayscale patterns. If you extract grayscale patterns, you can subsequently use a gradient map to color them.

 

 

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🔧 Steps

 

1. Add a 3D figure.

 

2. Fill the figure's base color with white.

Since the fill tool cannot be used, please use a brush with 100% opacity, such as a G-pen or a flat brush, to apply the color.

 

3. Use black (or other grayscale colors) to draw the desired pattern.

4. Adjust the figure to an appropriate angle and pose.

 

5. [3D Settings] → Turn off outlines, turn off lighting, turn off shadows.

6. Right-click Layer → [Rasterize Layer].

 

7. Edit → [Convert Brightness to Opacity].

 

💡 If it's a grayscale pattern, you need to adjust the semi-transparent parts to solid color:

Create a new layer below the current layer →

Select the figure's range (Hotkey: Ctrl + Left-click on figure layer) →

Fill the new layer with white →

Merge the two layers.

 

Done!

However, using this method means you cannot use the reference lines on the figure for three-dimensional reference.

So you can weigh whether you need to use it.

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[Conclusion]

Thank you for reading this far!

 

Although this article focuses on 3D figure models, drawing on other basic 3D models can actually be a very interesting experiment too!

 

What do you think of this article?

Since these are new features in CLIP STUDIO PAINT, I'm also eager to put them into practice. If there are more convenient methods or uses, please feel free to leave a comment and let me know! I hope this content was helpful to you.