How to use Shapes in MagicaVoxel
Shapes are a powerful feature introduced in MagicaVoxel that allow you to
change the default cube used for voxels and replace it with a different shaped
object in your voxel model. In this tutorial we will show you how to change
the shape of your voxels using the Shape window in MagicaVoxel.
If you had the opportunity to see our last Mega Voxel Jam, you may have
noticed that one of the challenges required artists to use the Lego shape in
MagicaVoxel. You might have asked, how do I change the shape of a voxel in MagicaVoxel.
By default the shape of your voxel in MagicaVoxel is a standard 3D cube.
However, there is a great feature in MagicaVoxel located in the Shape window
under Render model that allows you to use some alternative shapes instead of a
cube. We will walk you through the steps on how to change the Shape inside
Render mode.
This tutorial uses MagicaVoxel 0.99.6 or newer. If you need help installing MagicaVoxel, view our previous tutorial How to Install MagicaVoxel. There you can find a step by step tutorial on getting MagicaVoxel running on your computer.
What is a shape in MagicaVoxel
A shape in MagicaVoxel is the visual representation of a voxel on
your model. For most voxel editors available today, the cube is the only way
that a voxel is represented. However, for quite some time MagicaVoxel has
given artists the abilities to change this shape into something other than a
traditional cube. As of this writing the available shapes include:
- Cube - Standard 3D cubes (used by most voxel editors)
- Lego - Cubes with a circle on top similar to a lego brick
- MC - Cubes with chamfered edges
- Clay - Cubes with smoothed edges
- Sphr - Spheres instead of cubes
- Cyli - Columns of cylinders instead of cubes
So if you have seen models in MagicaVoxel that look like like Lego models,
it is because they are using shapes to transform the visual element of a
voxel. This allows you to create some very creative looking voxel models
with the touch of a button.
Getting Started
To begin let's fire up the MagicaVoxel editor. For this tutorial we will
be working with the "castle" sample file that comes with MagicaVoxel.
The purpose for choosing this file is because we've noticed that models
that stay within this size display nicely using the Lego shape. However
you can technically use any size model that is supported by MagicaVoxel.
For this tutorial we will use the castle, just keep in mind that you can use any model that you
want.
Once you select the file, the main editor window should display a model of
a castle similar to the one below:
One other thing we like to do is to turn on the Iso camera view which can
be found at the bottom right of the main editor window. This gives the
model a nice isometric perspective. Next we will change the shape, but first we have to switch from Model mode to Render mode.
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How to Turn on Render Mode
To turn on Render mode in MagicaVoxel click the button labeled
Render at the top right of the main editor window.
After you click this button, some of the windows in MagicaVoxel will
change including the main editor window. Now keep in mind it is
perfectly normal for the window to appear blurry at first. That is because
the render engine in MagicaVoxel is rendering the final image with lights,
shadows and other effects. This process takes a few seconds to
complete.
Change the Shape of the Voxel
To change the voxel shape, go to the window
named Light and scroll down until you find the
sub-category called Shape. When there, you can choose from 6 shape
types: Cube, Lego, MC, Clay, Sphr, and Cyli. Click any one of the six
buttons to change to that shape.
For this tutorial we are using the Lego shape, but as we mentioned before,
go ahead and select a shape you would like to apply to your model. For
this example we will go ahead and click the button titled Lego.
Since changing the shape is modifying a property under Render mode, the
scene will have to render itself again. After a few seconds though
you should see your model with the shape you selected. Here is a final
render of the castle using the Lego shape we chose.
And that's how you change the shape of a voxel in MagicaVoxel. The best
part is that you can literally switch shapes just by clicking a different
option under the Shape window. There are lots of possibilities for adding
some zest to your voxel models.
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Saving a Photo of your Model using the New Shape
When you switch back to Model mode, the shape that you selected
will temporarily disappear because the shape is considered a Render
property. Also if you try exporting your voxel model it will come out as
standard cube voxels. At the moment MagicaVoxel only supports cube and
marching cube voxels as an export option. All other shapes are considered
Render effects and will only display inside of Render mode.
Fortunately, MagicaVoxel has a great screenshot feature that allows you to
save your voxel model as an image. So if you would like to save an image
of your model using the shape you selected, you can take a picture of it
very easily. To take a picture simply click the button with a camera
icon at the bottom left of your screen.
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