SymmetryMill for SketchUp is an interactive pattern-design plugin that allows you to apply, manipulate, and automatically update repeating textures across complex 3D models. Rather than physically altering the 3D polygon meshes or drafting geometry line-by-line, this workflow leverages procedural 2D patterns to simulate visually intricate, complex surfaces—such as geometric architecture, ornate upholstery, fashion garments, or intricate vehicle wraps. 💎 Core Features & How It Works
Live Material Linking: A free plugin bridges the standalone Artlandia SymmetryMill application directly into SketchUp. Any edit you make to the pattern path, symmetry group, or color scheme instantly updates the active texture on your 3D model.
Mathematical Symmetries: The tool operates using all 17 mathematical planar symmetry types (wallpaper groups), alongside standard brick and drop repeats. This makes generating mathematically perfect, complex interlocking geometries effortless.
Standard Material Properties: Textures generated by SymmetryMill behave exactly like native SketchUp materials. They populate under the Window > Materials library and can be re-scaled, sampled with the Eyedropper tool, or painted with the Paint Bucket. 🛠️ Working with Complex Geometries
Applying intricate repeating patterns to uneven or organic geometry can easily cause distorted or jagged texturing. To achieve clean visual geometry on complex structures, use these specialized native workflows:
1. Applying to Curved and Organic Surfaces (Projected Textures)
To map a continuous, unbroken texture seamlessly over highly curved objects (like a piece of custom furniture or apparel), you must treat the material as a “projected” map:
Step 1: Draw a temporary flat auxiliary rectangle near your curved component.
Step 2: Apply your SymmetryMill material directly to this flat rectangle.
Step 3: Right-click the flat rectangle and select Texture > Projected.
Step 4: Sample this newly projected pattern using the Paint Bucket + Alt (or Command) tool, and paint it onto the curved geometry. The texture will now cast through the curved surface evenly. 2. Managing Surface Structures (Cylindrical Mapping)
When dealing with basic curved geometry like columns or pipes, SymmetryMill applies the exact same repeating tile to every singular face segment that makes up the curve. This maps the pattern into uniform vertical bands across the structure. If you want to view or scale the precise edges of these repeats, toggle View > Hidden Geometry to adjust individual segment alignment. 3. Live Texture Distortion
You can manually twist or warp the texture grid on a specific polygon face without breaking its communication link to the pattern generator.
Right-click the textured face and choose Texture > Position.
Drag the yellow distortion pin (or other color pins) to slant, stretch, or perspective-warp the boundaries.
Press Enter to lock it. You can continue tweaking the source design inside SymmetryMill, and it will continuously update while retaining your customized 3D distortion. Artlandia SymmetryMill: Pattern Design for the Rest of Us
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