How to Use a Stencil to Paint Details in Blender

Using a stencil in Blender’s Texture Paint mode allows you to project 2D image textures directly onto your 3D models with high precision. This technique is ideal for adding logos, scars, fabric patterns, skin details, or surface wear without needing to draw them by hand. This guide provides a straightforward overview of preparing your model, configuring the stencil brush, controlling the screen overlay, and painting the final details.

Step 1: Prepare Your 3D Model

Before applying a stencil, your model must have proper UV coordinates and an active image texture assigned.

  1. Select your 3D object and switch to Texture Paint mode from the mode selector menu (or the top workspace tabs).
  2. Open the Tool Settings sidebar (press N if hidden).
  3. Under Texture Slots, ensure a base color texture is assigned. If none exists, click Add Texture Slot > Base Color, select a resolution (e.g., 2048x2048), and click OK.

Step 2: Load Your Stencil Image

Next, import the image file you want to use as your stencil into Blender.

  1. In the Properties panel (usually on the right side of the screen), click the Texture Properties tab (the red checkerboard icon at the very bottom).
  2. Click New to create a new texture.
  3. Keep the Type set to Image or Movie.
  4. Click Open and select your image file (PNGs with transparent backgrounds work best for isolated details).

Step 3: Configure the Brush to Stencil Mode

Link your loaded image texture to your paint brush and set the mapping mode.

  1. Go back to the Active Tool settings (the top icon in the Properties panel or the N panel in the 3D Viewport).
  2. Expand the Texture drop-down menu.
  3. Select the texture you just created from the dropdown list.
  4. Under Mapping, change the option from View Plane or Tiled to Stencil.
  5. The stencil image will now appear as a semi-transparent overlay in your 3D Viewport.

Step 4: Control and Position the Stencil

You adjust the position, size, and rotation of the stencil overlay using mouse shortcuts while hovering over the 3D Viewport:

  • Move the Stencil: Hold Right-Click and drag.
  • Scale the Stencil: Hold Shift + Right-Click and drag.
  • Rotate the Stencil: Hold Ctrl + Right-Click and drag.

Note: Rotating or moving your 3D camera (using the Middle Mouse Button) changes your perspective relative to the stencil, allowing you to project details from any angle.

Step 5: Paint the Detail

  1. Position your 3D camera and align the stencil over the area where you want to apply the detail.
  2. Adjust your brush settings (Radius, Strength, and Blend Mode) in the top toolbar.
  3. Left-click and stroke across the semi-transparent stencil overlay. The texture will project directly onto your object's mesh.
  4. If the overlay interferes with your view while inspecting the results, adjust the opacity in the Tool Settings under Texture > Display > Stencil Opacity.

Step 6: Save Your Painted Texture

Blender does not automatically save painted image textures when saving the project file.

  1. Switch to the Image Editor workspace (or open an Image Editor window).
  2. Select your painted base texture from the dropdown.
  3. Click Image in the top menu bar and select Save or Save As to write the texture file to your disk.