Sculpting Tools

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Learn the basics of using the sculpting tools in Medium.

Medium includes an entire palette of tools, each with a specific function. Use these tools to intuitively create organic shapes, complex characters, abstract art, and anything in between. Medium's Tool Tray includes:

The Tool Tray

To access the tool tray:

The Medium Tool Tray.

  1. Push the Support hand thumbstick forward.
  2. Use your Tool hand to select the tool you would like to use.
  3. Squeeze the Tool hand trigger to select the tool.

 

 

Clay

Use the Clay tool to add clay to your sculpt. The Clay tool is your default tool when you first start a Medium session, and used to build out the basic volume of your sculpt, or to add different levels of detail.

By default, the Clay tool has a spherical shape; you can select from other predefined shapes (see Clay Settings) or create and use your own custom stamps. You can add clay with continuous strokes or place a single instance of the current stamp with each squeeze of the trigger (see Single versus Continuous Mode).

Add Clay

Add clay in the scene

With the Clay tool selected:

  • Squeeze and hold the Tool hand trigger. The trigger is pressure sensitive, so the harder you squeeze, the faster the clay “comes out” of the tool, just like a tube of toothpaste.
  • Move your Tool hand while holding the trigger to add clay just where you want it.

Remove Clay

You can also use the Clay tool to remove clay from your scene. With the Clay tool selected, double-tap the Gear button on your Tool hand to switch modes. The tool preview changes color from green to red; when in this mode, the tool removes clay instead of adding it.

Clay tool in add clay mode.

Clay tool in remove clay mode.

To remove clay from your sculpt:

  • Press and hold the Tool Hand trigger. Just as when adding clay, the trigger is pressure sensitive, so the harder you squeeze, the more clay you remove.
  • Move your Tool hand while holding the trigger. The area where the tool preview intersects with your sculpt is removed.
Press and hold the trigger on your Tool hand.

Move your Tool hand while holding the trigger.

Double-tap the Gear button on your Tool hand again to switch back to adding clay.

Set the Clay Tool Size

You can change the Clay tool’s size to add more or less clay to your sculpt with each squeeze of the trigger...imagine a larger or smaller opening on a tube of toothpaste. You might use a larger size for adding primary volume to your sculpt, then reduce the size for adding secondary and tertiary levels of detail:

  • Push the Tool hand thumbstick forward to increase the Clay tool size.
  • Pull the Tool hand thumbstick backward to decrease the Clay tool size.

The tool preview changes get larger or smaller, and a green scale appears over the tool hand to indicate the relative size of the tool.

Select a Clay Color

You can select the color of the clay you add to your sculpt. With the Clay tool selected:

  1. Tap the Color button on the Tool hand.

  2. To choose a color, do one of the following:

    Select a clay color

    • Aim the Tool hand at the color you want to use in the color space and squeeze the trigger to select.
    • Adjust the saturation and value sliders.
    • Adjust the RGB sliders.

  3. You can select the clay color from either the Color Menu or directly from your model.

Note:
  • Clay color information is included when exporting sculpt with the vertex color information, but is not included when exporting textures. See Exporting Your Sculpt for more information.
  • If you use more than one color in a single layer, many sculpting operations (such as Smooth or Inflate) will cause those colors to blend, or if you are working on a complex sculpt where you want to give different parts their own colors (for example, make an alien’s head green, and its teeth white), break your work into layers.

Clay Settings Menu

With the Clay tool selected, press the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Clay settings menu. Use the options on the Clay settings menu to define the size, shape, and behavior of the Clay tool as you sculpt.

Clay Settings menu

Select the Clay Tool’s Shape

At the top of the menu, you can select from three default Clay tool shapes:

  • Sphere
  • Cube
  • Capsule

In addition to these default shapes, you can select from Medium’s library of stamps (or one of your own that you’ve created previously) to define the Clay tool’s shape. For more information, see stamps.

  • Apply: Select the tool mode:
    • Add - add clay when the trigger is pressed.
    • Erase - remove clay when the trigger is pressed.

  • Size: Set the overall size of the Clay tool.
  • Stroke Type: Use the Stroke Type setting to determine how clay is added to your scene:
    • Continuous (default) - add clay continuously as you squeeze the trigger, following the path of your stroke.
    • Single - add a discrete instance of the shape with each squeeze of the trigger. You must release the trigger after each stamp to add a new instance.
  • Single mode is useful for:
    • Adding repetitive detail to your sculpt (teeth, warts, bolts, and so on)
    • Building inorganic shapes with hard surfaces (buildings, robots, and so on)
  • Stroke Taper: Defines the behavior for each clay stroke:
    • Thickness - the stroke volume fills only from within the boundaries of the current stamp, as if you were “pouring” clay into its volume. Choose this option if you are using a stamp which has a negative space (a hole) in it.
    • Scale - the stroke volume fills by scaling the stamp as needed with the stroke pressure. This option works better if your sculpt has a well-defined volume.
    • None - each stroke adds clay using the full volume of the stamp, without any tapering.
  • Stroke Taper Speed: The stoke taper speed controls how quickly the stroke tapers. If either Thickness or Scale is selected in the Stroke Taper section, choosing maximum speed makes the taper instantly match the trigger pressure; a lower value will act as a “throttle” on the taper effect.

Steady Stroke:

If you’re trying to lay down a line of clay, but want to move the Clay tool slowly, the “jitter” effect (shown in the top shape at left) is accentuated. Enabling Steady Stroke causes clay to be added only when you move the tip of the tool beyond the edge of the white bounding sphere.

It may help to think of the white bounding sphere as a “rest area”; as long as you keep the tip of your tool within it, the tool effectively “pauses.”

Setting any radius turns on the effect; in general you probably want to make the bounding sphere slightly larger than your Clay tool size.

Example of steady stroke.

Note:

Steady Stroke is calculation intensive, and can slow down the Clay tool. Use it as needed!

Constraints

Constraints the clay tool to move in a straight line, on a plane, or along the surface of your sculpt (great for adding surface detail):

  • Line - add or remove clay along a straight line. When you select Line, a dashed line tool preview appears, attached to the tool. When you squeeze the Tool hand trigger, the orientation of the line is “locked” and you add or remove clay only along that line. Release the trigger to reorient the line. The Line constraint is useful, for example, when you want to add hard line shapes (rails, streets, and so on), or remove a channel along a flat surface.
  • Plane - add or remove clay along a planar surface. When you select Grid, a two-axis preview appears, attached to your tool. When you squeeze the Tool hand trigger, the orientation of the grid is “locked” and you add or remove clay only on that plane. Release the trigger to reorient the grid.
  • Surface - add or remove clay along the surface of your sculpt. When you select Surface, aim the tool at the surface of your sculpt. When you squeeze the Tool hand trigger, clay is added or removed along the surface. The Surface constraint is useful, for example, to add surface detail (veins, warts, or other textural details) to organic sculpts.
Clay tool with surface constraint selected.

Adding clay with surface constraint selected.

Note:

Constraining the Clay tool to use Surface is a great way to add detail.

Move

The Move tool has two distinct modes, Default and Elastic.

Default Mode:

In its default mode, the Move tool consists of two concentric spheres centered on the Tool hand. Within the inner sphere, the move will have 100% effect; that effect falls off gradually to the boundary of the outer sphere. When you initiate the tool, the clay within those two spheres is “grabbed” and follows the tool.

Move tool in default mode.

Move tool example A.

Move tool example B.

Elastic Mode:

In its elastic mode, the Move tool shows just one sphere of influence; the area of effect moves with the tool, giving the move a more fluid or elastic effect.

Move tool in Elastic Mode.

Elastic move example A.

Elastic move example B.

Note:
  • You can select elastic mode from the Move settings menu.
  • By default, the Move tool affects all layers. To change this setting, select the Move tool and tap the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Move tool Settings menu.

Set the Move Tool’s Size

You can change the Move tool’s size so that it affects more or less of your sculpt as you work:

  • Push the Tool hand thumbstick forward to increase the Move tool size.
  • Pull the Tool hand thumbstick backward to decrease the Move tool size.

The tool preview changes, and a green scale appears over the tool hand to indicate the relative size of the tool.

In its default mode, the Move tool has both an inner and an outer radius. When you resize the tool as described above, you scale the overall size of the tool (both spheres). If you want to adjust the ratio of the inner sphere to the outer sphere, use the Move settings menu.

Move tool.

Use the thumbstick to adjust the size of the Move tool.

Move Settings Menu

With the Move tool selected, press the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Move settings menu. Use the options on the Move settings menu to define the size, shape, and behavior of the Move tool as you sculpt.

Move tool settings menu.

  • Mode: Choose between the Move tool’s default mode or its elastic mode (both described above).
  • Layers: By default, the Move tool affects all layers of your sculpt. Select Active Layer Only if you want the move to affect only the layer you are currently sculpting.
  • Size: The overall radius of the Move tool.
  • Inner Radius: The ratio of the inner sphere to the outer sphere:
    • The area inside the inner sphere moves 100%.
    • For the area between the inner sphere and outer sphere, there is a smoothed falloff of effect; areas further from the inner sphere move less than those closer to it.

If you want to move a discrete part of your sculpt intact (for example, repositioning the contents of a layer relative to another), make sure that the inner radius is large enough to surround the entire part you want to move.

Shape: In default (non-Elastic) mode, you can choose between Sphere, Cube, and Capsule shapes that set the shape of the region that gets affected by the Move operation.

Strength: The Strength option affects the overall behavior of the tool:

  • A higher number causes the tool to have a “harder” effect (think “spike”).
  • A lower number causes the tool to have a “softer” effect (think “bump”).

Swirl

Use the Swirl tool to rotate an area of your sculpt either clockwise or counter-clockwise and pull it away from the surface. The Swirl tool behaves a lot like one of the beaters on an electric mixer dipped into a bowl of dough:

Before swirl

Clockwise swirl

Counter-clockwise swirl

Set the Swirl Tool’s Size

You can change the Swirl tool’s size to affect more or less of your sculpt:

  • Push the Tool hand thumbstick forward to increase the Swirl tool size.
  • Pull the Tool hand thumbstick backward to decrease the Swirl tool size.

Swirl Settings Menu

With the Swirl tool selected, press the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Swirl settings menu:

Swirl tool settings menu.

  • Size: Set the size of the Swirl tool.
  • Strength: The relative intensity of the swirl operation. The higher the value, the greater the swirl effect.
  • Direction: Set the direction in which the clay swirls. The arrow on the tool preview changes to show the selected direction.

Flatten

The Flatten tool behaves much like a “sanding disk” that can grind down part of your sculpt. You can adjust the size of the disk, make it orient itself to your sculpt’s surface, and even set the hardness of the edges it produces.

Before flatten

flattening (with cylindrical preview)

After flatten operation

Set the Flatten Tool's Size

You can change the Flatten tool’s size to affect more or less of your sculpt:

  • Push the Tool hand thumbstick forward to increase the Flatten tool size.
  • Pull the Tool hand thumbstick backward to decrease the Flatten tool size.

Flatten Settings Menu

With the Flatten tool selected, press the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Flatten settings menu:

Flatten tool settings menu.

  • Size: Set the diameter of the disk.
  • Hardness: Set the resulting edge hardness on the flattened area of your sculpt:
    • Use a higher value to create a harder edge.
    • Use a lower value to create a softer, more beveled edge.

Constraints: Orients the sanding disk to the surface normals of the area at which you are pointing. You could use this setting, for example, to “grind down” areas of detail you want to remove.

Surface constraint example A.

Surface constraint example B.

Surface constraint example C.

Cut

Cuts your model into different parts. The cut does not have to be flat, but you can constrain it to a plane if you want to (see Constrain below). The Cut tool slices your sculpt into multiple pieces; each of those pieces becomes a new layer.

The tool is shaped like a wand; to make a cut, you must pass the wand entirely through a part of your sculpt, separating it from the rest of the model. After a short delay, the separated volumes are cut and placed on unique layers (for more information, see Layers).

Note:
  • If the cutting tool does not entirely separate part of an object (for example, if the wand does not extend all the way through the back of the sculpt when trying to cut), nothing occurs.
  • By default, the Cut tool affects all layers. To change this setting, select the Cut tool and tap the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Cut tool Settings menu.

Set the Cut Tool’s Size (Length)

You can change the Cut tool’s length to slice through more or less of your sculpt:

  • Push the Tool hand thumbstick forward to increase the Cut tool size (make it longer).
  • Pull the Tool hand thumbstick backward to decrease the Cut tool size (make it shorter).

Cut Settings Menu

With the Cut tool selected, press the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Cut settings menu:

Cut tool settings menu.

  • Size: The size (length) of the Cut tool.
  • Apply Layers: Specify which layers are affected by the cut tool:
    • All Layers - cuts all layers in your sculpt.
    • Active Layer Only - cuts only the current layer.
  • Constraints: Select Line to constraints the cut along a plane. If selected, the tool preview changes to a projected dashed line which you can use to define the plane.
Preview of line

Cutting the plane

Cut object

Inflate

The Inflate tool lets you expand a portion of your sculpt’s surface relative to its surrounding area, creating more volume in your sculpt. This makes it ideal for tasks like accentuating bone ridges or muscles, or creating surface detail like warts or bumps.

Double tap the Gear button on your Tool hand to change this to the Deflate tool. In Deflate mode, the tool can be used to create valleys, crevices, or even holes in the surface of your sculpt. Flipping between modes (and adjusting the strength of the tool) is a great way to create surface contrast on your sculpt.

Original sculpt

Inflate tool used on the brow bridge

Deflate tool used to sculpt out a valley

Note:

The Inflate tool can also be used to expand the clay surrounding an area of negative space to “fill in” holes that you might want to plug if you’re exporting your model for 3D printing.

Set the Inflate Tool's Size

You can change the Inflate tool’s size to affect more or less of your sculpt:

  • Push the Tool hand thumbstick forward to increase the Inflate tool size.
  • Pull the Tool hand thumbstick backward to decrease the Inflate tool size.

Inflate Settings Menu

With the Inflate tool selected, press the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Inflate settings:

Inflate tool settings menu.

  • Size: Set the diameter of the Inflate tool.
  • Strength: Set the strength of the Inflate tool (higher values cause the clay to inflate/deflate more quickly).
  • Apply: Select the mode for the tool:
    • Inflate - expands the surface area under the tool.
    • Deflate - contracts the surface area under the tool.
  • Steady Stroke: Reduce jitter by setting a diameter within which the inflate/deflate action is smoothed.
  • Constraints: Constraints the inflation or deflation to a straight line. A dashed line tool preview appears, attached to the tool. When you squeeze the Tool hand trigger, the orientation of the line is “locked” and the inflation or deflation is constrained to that line. Release the trigger to reorient the line.

Smooth

Use the Smooth tool to smooth out rough areas of surface topology on your sculpt, either by filling in valleys, flattening bumps, or both (selectable on the Settings menu). You can also adjust the size and strength of the Smooth tool.

Original sculpt

After smoothing

Set the Smooth Tool's Size

You can change the Smooth tool’s size to affect more or less of your sculpt:

  • Push the Tool hand thumbstick forward to increase the Smooth tool size.
  • Pull the Tool hand thumbstick backward to decrease the Smooth tool size.

Smooth Settings Menu

With the Smooth tool selected, press the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Smooth settings menu:

Smooth tool settings menu.

  • Size: Set the size of the Smooth tool.
  • Strength: Set the strength of the Smooth tool.
  • Mode:
    • Fill: smooth the sculpt’s surface by filling in valleys.
    • Average: smooth the sculpt’s surface using a combination of filling and flattening (essentially working toward the surface midpoint of the area under the tool).
    • Flatten: smooth the sculpt’s surface by flattening bumps or other protrusions.
  • Steady Stroke: Reduce jitter by setting a diameter within which the smooth action itself is smoothed.
  • Constraints: Constraints smoothing to a straight line.

When you select Line, a dashed line tool preview appears, attached to your tool. When you squeeze the Tool hand trigger, the orientation of the line is “locked” and the Smooth tool is constrained to movement along that line. Release the trigger to reorient the line.

Paint

Apply color to the surface of your sculpt, either spraying the paint (like an airbrush) or directly to its surface (like a paintbrush). Both modes allow for pressure sensitive application of paint.

Painting in brush mode

Painting with airbrush

A combination of both modes

Note:

The layer's resolution constrains level of detail you can paint onto the surface of your sculpt. To add more paint detail to a layer, consider increasing its resolution.

Set the Paint Tool’s Size

You can change the Paint tool’s size so that it colors more or less of your sculpt’s surface:

  • Push the Tool hand thumbstick forward to increase the Paint tool size.
  • Pull the Tool hand thumbstick backward to decrease the Paint tool size.

Select a Paint Mode

By default, the paint tool starts out in airbrush mode. With the paint tool selected, double tap the Gear button to switch to paintbrush mode, and again to switch back.

Spray Mode

In spray mode, the paint tool works like an airbrush. When you aim the tool at your sculpt, a green circle shows you where the paint will be applied:

  • Tap the Color button to select a paint color.
  • Point the brush at the surface of your sculpt.
  • Squeeze the Tool hand trigger to paint the model’s surface. The tool is pressure sensitive, so squeezing the trigger harder applies more paint.
Note:

Use the Paint settings menu to make further refinements to the tool.

Brush Mode

In brush mode, the paint tool works more like a paintbrush. The brush applies the selected color to the surface with the same pressure sensitivity effect of the airbrush mode; however, only clay within the tool’s sphere of influence is affected.

Stomp Mode

In stomp mode, the paint tool will completely fill a layer with a solid color, overriding any existing color on that layer. This mode also works on any layer you point the tool as long as that layer is not locked or hidden, not just the current active layer.

Paint Settings Menu

With the Paint tool selected, press the Gear button on your Tool hand to open the Paint settings menu:

Paint tool settings menu.

  • Size: Set the diameter of the tool.
  • Opacity: Set the opacity for the color being applied to the sculpt’s surface. A higher value will make the color appear more solid.
  • Hardness: Set the edge treatment for the paint tool. A higher value creates a shaper line at the edge of the area being painted, while a lower value creates a falloff effect.
  • Apply: Select the mode for the Paint tool:
    • Spray - sprays the color onto the sculpt, like an airbrush.
    • Brush - applies the color directly to the surface of the sculpt, like a paintbrush.
    • Stomp - fills an entire layer completely with the color, stomping any existing color.
  • Steady Stroke: Reduce jitter by setting a diameter within which the paint stroke is smoothed.
  • Constraints: Constraints painting to a straight line. A dashed line tool preview appears, attached to the tool. When you squeeze the Tool hand trigger, the orientation of the line is “locked” and your paintbrush or airbrush are constrained to movement along that line. Release the trigger to reorient the line. The Line constraint is useful, for example, when you want to paint stripes or other lines on your sculpt.

What's Next?

Now that you have learned about the Sculpting Tools in Medium, check out Sculpting Guides and Constraints next.

Have a Question or Idea?

If you have a question to ask or an idea to share, come and participate in Medium Discord Community. We would love to hear from you. 

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