48 Seam & Stitch Alphas

Quick Start Guide · 16-bit height maps for ZBrush, Blender and Substance 3D Painter · seamless trims 4096x1024 + quilting tiles 4096x4096

1. Install (1 minute)

Unzip. One folder per stitch type (Running, Chain, Cross, Blanket, Zigzag, Baseball, Leather Saddle, Overlock Edge, Lacing, Zipper, Quilting). Every file is a 16-bit grayscale PNG height map: black = flat, white = raised.
Trims are 4096 x 1024 and tile seamlessly left to right: use them as a stroke or trim brush, or along a UV strip. Quilting is 4096 x 4096 and tiles in all directions.

2. Use it without code

ZBrush: Alpha > Import, then sculpt with the DragRect stroke, or Stroke > Roll for one continuous seam. Blender: use the PNG as a sculpt brush texture, or as the texture of a Displace modifier on a mesh with UVs. Substance 3D Painter: import as an alpha and paint along a seam with the Path tool.

3. Use it from code

Raise a stitched seam with a Displace modifier (Blender Python)

import bpy
img = bpy.data.images.load(r"C:/path/to/Alpha_Running_Stitch_01_4096x1024.png")
tex = bpy.data.textures.new("Stitch", type="IMAGE")
tex.image = img
tex.extension = "REPEAT"                # trims tile left to right
obj = bpy.context.active_object          # a subdivided strip with UVs
mod = obj.modifiers.new("Stitch", "DISPLACE")
mod.texture = tex
mod.texture_coords = "UV"
mod.mid_level = 0.0                      # black = flat
mod.strength = 0.02                      # white = raised 2 cm

FAQ

What is inside?

48 alphas in 11 stitch types: Running Stitch (6), Quilting tileable (6), Leather Saddle Stitch (5), Chain, Cross, Blanket, Zigzag, Baseball, Overlock Edge and Lacing (4 each) and Zipper (3).

Why 16-bit PNG?

16-bit height maps keep smooth gradients, so displaced or sculpted stitches do not show stair steps the way 8-bit maps can.

Which apps?

ZBrush, Blender, Substance 3D Painter, or anything that takes a grayscale alpha or height map.

Can I use them in a commercial project?

Yes. Use them in personal and commercial projects. Do not resell or redistribute the alphas as-is.

Get 48 Seam & Stitch Alphas ($4.99)