# Decal Features ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FtAvivww3tNZKZswYwDK6%2FDecalFeatures_01.jpg?alt=media\&token=287055ef-ae36-432a-b716-38028b87edb9) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Fp1GZqj02c77sasBjtsck%2FDecalFeatures_02.jpg?alt=media\&token=9381ddbd-4065-49bd-a25d-e2d35373adaa) Below you will find the included Decal Features, such as special fades and options like Parallax Occlusion Mapping. There are also links to paste the graphs into other Unreal projects. You can see all of these examples on the DecalFeatures Map. /Content/DecalDesigner/Maps/DecalFeatures These examples show a Decal actor in a difficult use case * The geometry being projected onto is complex and varied * The Decal actor is large, pointing straight downward and stretching across lots of surfaces perpendicular to the Decal direction ### DBuffer - Color Normal Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Fv3jYOengVl4PGGfNuYQR%2FDecalFeatures_03.jpg?alt=media\&token=a47bfa0f-03f4-4484-8ebf-f1c1f1456be0) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FNr3BSsrU9MEip57dqzCI%2FDecalFeatures_04.jpg?alt=media\&token=7f0a9601-fe3b-4596-8038-2da83ca991ae) **Pros** * Full Material Response * Supports Baked Lighting **Cons** * Side projection stretch * Side Normal/lighting distortion * Backface projection ### DBuffer - Color Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FLdolbxvy7dGk7mlU4Yd0%2FDecalFeatures_05.jpg?alt=media\&token=158d83d6-8b29-4ed3-9513-b9f46ac0f5b4) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F2NrQbgdExhw5NsYHp41o%2FDecalFeatures_06.jpg?alt=media\&token=a3d675db-d928-49ce-af1e-58d6094a5667) **Pros** * No side Normal/lighting distortion * Supports Baked Lighting **Cons** * Side projection stretch * No Normal response * Backface projection ### Translucent - Color Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FAl0iUc4J6k4mqeQC0Dpf%2FDecalFeatures_07.jpg?alt=media\&token=f86a8ffb-79f1-45e8-86db-887aa501e592) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FNSxYKiohAJJsmoTb8dLN%2FDecalFeatures_08.jpg?alt=media\&token=e518c740-333e-4403-9a2e-a1d1b3bbec4d) **Pros** * No side Normal/lighting distortion **Cons** * Side projection stretch * No baked lighting * No Normal response * Backface projection ### Angle Fade - DBuffer Color Normal Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F2mgDLwQADno8BI4hnnI7%2FDecalFeatures_09.jpg?alt=media\&token=b5bf3993-59b7-4468-9c76-02071e49d2b4) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FIbETsKLwD6kHJVDw6vuF%2FDecalFeatures_10.jpg?alt=media\&token=2ad466c0-7785-44e8-b0d9-dc266c9b6b50) **Pros** * Angle projection control * Full Material response * Supports baked lighting **Cons** * Opacity geometry faceting * Side Normal/lighting distortion * Uses screenspace derivatives ![Angle Fade and Backface projection culling Material Function](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FhqQCFDXd1vkF3RD3GEUy%2FAngleFadeBackfaceCull.jpg?alt=media\&token=0846a007-e92b-403a-acd1-b0a861952246) {% embed url="" %} Click this link to copy directly into the Material editor in Unreal {% endembed %} ### Backface Cull - DBuffer Color Normal Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F0W8JSHtU1ecTkChRpSaM%2FDecalFeatures_11.jpg?alt=media\&token=188d9b71-401a-4b5a-9637-5d48bd9aef18) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FYxBQB2NHZsWGskvJANNz%2FDecalFeatures_12.jpg?alt=media\&token=aa3110db-a4ae-477b-a9ca-e1c033390583) **Pros** * Angle projection control * Full Material response * Supports baked lighting **Cons** * Opacity geometry faceting * Side Normal/lighting distortion * Uses screenspace derivatives ### Depth Fade - DBuffer Color Normal Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F32E5oG4u5blaZkZnNqoz%2FDecalFeatures_13.jpg?alt=media\&token=e2906f48-7a4e-460d-b46b-0e50dd9d49ab) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FF8MjKjF6kDKiJBcBNHIa%2FDecalFeatures_14.jpg?alt=media\&token=b7996622-a41d-44ce-a0d8-cb5bd8973dda) **Pros** * Depth projection control * Full Material response * Supports baked lighting **Cons** * Side projection stretch (limited) * Side Normal/lighting distortion * Backface projection ![Decal Depth Fade Material Function](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FBhB9FbiZnpDlUUfddMsU%2FDepthFade.jpg?alt=media\&token=f03bb28b-cb50-4dfd-8519-392daae908a5) {% embed url="" %} Click this link to copy directly into the Material editor in Unreal {% endembed %} ### Spherical Projection - DBuffer Color Normal Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FIoJ798AGcyVXLkBWMoF6%2FDecalFeatures_15.jpg?alt=media\&token=5ca87ef9-f487-4dce-8fcd-3e8312b78392) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FP4eUuT5kzdz3W3etJSWS%2FDecalFeatures_16.jpg?alt=media\&token=156b36cc-653f-4a4f-b32c-bdba0b3505bf) **Pros** * Spherical projection control * Full Material response * Supports baked lighting **Cons** * Positioning is important. This Decal works best when placed inside a mesh, projecting outward * Decal volume hard edge * Side Normal/lighting distortion * Some patterns/Textures look better than others * Requires the use of DDX/Y derivatives ![Spherical UV Projection Material Function](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Fa5Y8xrSpgX8famTajLvE%2FSphericalUVProjection.jpg?alt=media\&token=54c7f4d3-c44f-4ec1-a90e-ed5fe3c2f607) {% embed url="" %} Click this link to copy directly into the Material editor in Unreal {% endembed %} ### Spherical Projection + Sphere Mask - DBuffer Color Normal Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Flat8RzDYXABazNWt58JC%2FDecalFeatures_17.jpg?alt=media\&token=329e43d6-8078-42af-94e0-1f2bb3dbcb12) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FnpZihYNgCs8orQOUPY4K%2FDecalFeatures_18.jpg?alt=media\&token=83b3acdb-cc5c-4f9c-9ef9-4612c3ed191c) **Pros** * Spherical projection control * Full Material response * Supports baked lighting **Cons** * Positioning is important. This Decal works best when placed inside a mesh, projecting outward * Sphere mask limited use * Side Normal/lighting distortion * Some patterns/Textures look better than others ### World Aligned UV - Translucent Color Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F0INaRBS2lYHnZ2QkqNMB%2FDecalFeatures_19.jpg?alt=media\&token=2aa07422-d3ba-4007-a18d-ab19e3b880d3) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F6hr3axXAV3075ALSpA8C%2FDecalFeatures_20.jpg?alt=media\&token=7c743452-7343-42f4-b20a-ac41157258cc) **Pros** * No stretch * Cover larger areas with one Decal while maintaining UV scale * No side Normal/lighting distortion **Cons** * Decal volume hard edge * WorldUV seams * No Normal response * No baked lighting ![World aligned UV Material Function](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Fv6QR1Oyckxj2EYIfrjPp%2FWorldUV.jpg?alt=media\&token=fabda4cc-9b5f-455d-818d-356f9016218b) {% embed url="" %} Click this link to copy directly into the Material editor in Unreal {% endembed %} ### World Aligned UV + Separate Edge Mask - Translucent Color Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FgPaz4MVTV457NV9VvuwS%2FDecalFeatures_21.jpg?alt=media\&token=9340bb63-796e-4adf-bafa-1553b3b9b0d8) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F5Ne3IThUCfsyQwaflhaj%2FDecalFeatures_22.jpg?alt=media\&token=8b0b24fc-8e34-435b-86d7-04be6e6fb596) **Pros** * No stretch * Cover larger areas with one Decal while maintaining UV scale * No side Normal/lighting distortion **Cons** * One extra Texture [(EdgeMask)](https://ronanmahon-art.gitbook.io/decal-designer/parameter-reference#edge-control) * WorldUV seams * No Normal response * No baked lighting ### TriPlanar UV - Translucent Color Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FUZRaS7M6ScWyzJpeDu8o%2FDecalFeatures_23.jpg?alt=media\&token=67261dba-b393-4970-b9e6-26609ac7b814) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FeEEtU1alFjOpzNImo7ag%2FDecalFeatures_24.jpg?alt=media\&token=4b423bda-455d-468a-ac61-b8b27cffb983) **Pros** * No stretch * Adjustable TriPlanar blend * Cover larger areas with one Decal while maintaining UV scale * No side Normal/lighting distortion **Cons** * Decal volume hard edge * Triplanar UV seams * No Normal response * No baked lighting ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Fj5m1NMyORLqDujNmVyCs%2FTriplanarMappingMF.jpg?alt=media\&token=3d812b1b-69c4-40f7-9a61-cced22b83bc1) {% embed url="\_\_" %} Click this link to copy directly into the Material editor in Unreal {% endembed %} ### TriPlanar UV + Separate Edge Mask - Translucent Color Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FSSWm0L43NdYYdec9BQ9g%2FDecalFeatures_25.jpg?alt=media\&token=07701295-b8ea-4289-92d0-6b7d28b8e00d) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FFpBVZ7l0x1GHeC41YX3J%2FDecalFeatures_26.jpg?alt=media\&token=5f64018e-79a0-432f-b7ed-36440b0a1a16) **Pros** * No stretch * Adjustable TriPlanar blend * Cover larger areas with one Decal while maintaining UV scale * No side Normal/lighting distortion **Cons** * Decal volume hard edge * Triplanar UV seams * No Normal response * One extra Texture [(EdgeMask)](https://ronanmahon-art.gitbook.io/decal-designer/parameter-reference#edge-control) ### Parallax Occlusion Mapping - DBuffer Color Normal Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F3nKRSVypji1T6uBLsT3a%2FDecalFeatures_27.jpg?alt=media\&token=8fd91cc4-86ec-4680-b585-ef40659e66f9) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Fv70rSGT8imJ4Az8YGzwY%2FDecalFeatures_28.jpg?alt=media\&token=524342d2-ae76-4b87-8282-d971222ca19b) **Pros** * Illusion of depth **Cons** * Can be expensive depending on number of steps being used in the Material Instance * Works only on upward facing surfaces. A Blueprint version of the Decal Actor could counter this and allow placement on walls etc. but it would be expensive * One extra Texture [(Height)](https://ronanmahon-art.gitbook.io/decal-designer/parameter-reference#height) ### Custom Input - DBuffer Color Normal Roughness ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F1PN0r74u1pn3BGhxnqwe%2FDecalFeatures_29.jpg?alt=media\&token=8251c18a-e536-4bb7-a714-3d00bf200410) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2F4iR6IcZcaCGAPkADdVPV%2FDecalFeatures_30.jpg?alt=media\&token=ff5a62bc-568e-4d3b-8818-d876ae922b1b) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Fxhu0DKV9AojgiDGG4GP4%2FDecalFeatures_32.jpg?alt=media\&token=cbb134df-8492-4f96-8ef3-fd2694ffd097) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2FDqyYCUfWJSoCYYbgbC3j%2FDecalFeatures_33.jpg?alt=media\&token=c544cf47-f014-479d-beab-38556b4109a5) * Use any of your own Textures as a Custom Input and mix it up * Accepts color or black and white Textures * All of the tweakable parameters also affect your Texture * You can even use Engine icons! * I used the free Iliad plugin to write the word "Fresh" above {% hint style="info" %} See more on [Custom Inputs and Masks](https://ronanmahon-art.gitbook.io/decal-designer/parameter-reference#custom-masks-and-inputs) {% endhint %} ### Texture Channel Packing Example ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Fdnbd1EoJuowLQGYxRpvB%2FDecalFeatures_35.jpg?alt=media\&token=3be908db-f62d-467e-b427-17f13c478541) ![](https://2959358512-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MkbFtFcgzGsjc9kCvZT%2Fuploads%2Fgb7lPbTiv4HwdrVNQgSr%2FDecalFeatures_36.jpg?alt=media\&token=a3399126-dbcd-4acb-adb9-58b45bd1ff19) Masks can be optionally packed into the RGB channels of a single texture rather than individual textures per mask in order to save memory. [Read more about Texture channel packing](https://ronanmahon-art.gitbook.io/decal-designer/texture-reference#texture-channel-packing) as well as [the Graph parameters for enabling \_ARM Textures](https://ronanmahon-art.gitbook.io/decal-designer/parameter-reference#misc) **Pros** * Uses 55% less memory - example 2K Packed Decal with all channels would be 11.1MB vs 24.8 MB for non packed **Cons** * Slightly lower quality - DXT compression can introduce blocky artifacts in Textures due to cross talk, particularly in Red (Opacity). This "lower" quality isn't visible most of the time however ### Per Layer Control
Per Layer Control allows each procedural layer to be adjusted independently in the material instance using a mask texture. **Pros** * Adjust layers independently in the Material Instance * Greater realtime adjustments on all Material channels * Much greater reuse for less Textures on a larger project **Cons** * A more complex material * Extra Texture mask needed to differentiate the layers * Requires neutral inputs to the graph Base Color values * Colorization not as refined as graph version so included a hue shift alternate color adjustment