Tool window layout

Decal Spline Tool Window

Main Tool Controls Section

The top row contains core operations:

Add New Decal Spline: Creates a new decal spline in the scene. The mouse cursor changes to purple, allowing the user to click on the map to place nodes and draw the decal path
Import Decal Splines from PNG Mask: Loads splines from exported PNG mask files. Useful for importing previously created decal layouts or sharing decal arrangements between sessions
Remove All Decal Splines: Clears all decal splines from the session. This action cannot be undone
Toggle Rigid Translation/Lock Button: Switches between free and rigid translation (locked) modes. Free mode allows normal movement, while locked mode prevents accidental spline modifications
Export Decal Splines in Session to PNG Mask: Exports the current session to a PNG mask file, useful for sharing decal layouts or backing up work
Save the Decal State of the Session to File: Bakes the decals into the scene so they load with the level. This permanently saves the decal arrangement to the map file

Decal Splines Section

Spline List

Session Management: Lists all decal splines in the current session
Individual Controls: Each spline row contains:
- Remove Decal Spline Button: Deletes the specific spline
- Enable/Disable Toggle: Controls whether the spline is active

Spline Operations Section

These buttons operate on the selected spline (highlighted in the list):

Go to Spline: Moves the camera to focus on the selected spline, useful for navigating to distant decal arrangements
Split Spline: Divides the spline at the selected node, creating two separate decal splines
Flip Spline: Reverses the spline direction (back to front), which also flips the decal orientation
Simplify Spline: Reduces node count while preserving spline shape, useful for cleaning up complex decal paths
Save Selected Spline Profile to Disk: Exports the selected spline’s properties to disk (creates .json file), including component settings and distribution preferences
Load Profile from Disk: Imports a profile from disk and applies it to the selected decal spline, restoring all component and distribution settings

Properties Section

Two sliders control the core spline behavior:

Spacing: Distance between decal instances along the spline. Smaller values create denser decal placement, larger values create more spread-out arrangements
Jitter: Random Z-axis rotation variation for decal orientation. Higher values create more varied, natural-looking decal orientations

Components Section

Lists all available components (1, 2, 3, 4) with individual controls:

Component Rows

Each component has its own row containing:

Enable Checkbox: Controls whether the component is active (except Component 1, which is always enabled)
Thumbnail Image: Small preview of the component’s appearance, helping to identify materials at a glance
Component Label: Shows “Comp1”, “Comp2”, “Comp3”, or “Comp4”
Material Selection Button: Opens the material selector for that component, allowing the user to browse and select different decal materials
Material Path Display: Shows the file path of the selected material for that component, useful for tracking which materials are assigned

Distribution Section

Controls how decals are distributed along the spline:

Round Robin: Cycles through components sequentially, placing one of each enabled component in order before repeating. Creates a predictable, repeating pattern
Random: Uses weighted probabilistic placement where each component has a chance to be selected based on its individual weight value. Creates more natural, varied arrangements

Tab System

Dynamic tabs are created for each enabled component (maximum of 4 tabs):

Component Tab Contents

Each tab contains the same set of controls for its respective component:

Tiled Decal Properties

Num Rows Slider: Controls the number of rows in the decal grid. Higher values create taller decal arrangements
Num Cols Slider: Controls the number of columns in the decal grid. Higher values create wider decal arrangements
Frame Slider: Selects which frame to display from the decal texture, useful for animated or multi-frame decals
Scale Slider: Adjusts the size of the decal instances. Larger values create bigger decals, smaller values create more subtle effects

Orientation Control

Pre-rotation Radio Button: Sets the Z-axis rotation (0°, 90°, 180°, 270°), allowing control over decal orientation

Each tab provides identical functionality, allowing independent control of each enabled component’s tiled decal properties and orientation.

Material Selection Window

The Material Selection Window provides access to all available material assets for decal components:

Search and Navigation

Search Bar: Find specific materials by name, useful for quickly locating particular decal textures
Browse Functions: Navigate through material collections, organized by category and type

Material Library

File Format: All materials use standard material formats which are compatible with the decal system
Organized Collections: Browse through material categories and collections, making it easy to find appropriate decals for different purposes

Interface