Blender Displacement Modifier

Yes, in Blender, you can use the Displacement Modifier to apply surface deformation based on an image (like a height map or displacement map). This is exactly what you're looking for when you want to apply a 3D surface deformation that you can then use for 3D printing.

Displacement Modifier for Surface Deformation Based on an Image:

The Displacement Modifier allows you to displace the geometry of your mesh based on the values from an image (grayscale map). You can use this technique to simulate surface detail such as bumps, wrinkles, and other complex surface features.

Here’s how you can set up the Displacement Modifier for surface deformation:

Steps to Apply Surface Deformation Using the Displacement Modifier:

1. Prepare Your Model:
   • Ensure your model has enough geometry (subdivisions) to respond to the displacement. If you’re applying a large displacement effect, you'll need a high-resolution mesh. You can subdivide your mesh if necessary.
2. Apply Subdivision Surface Modifier (Optional but Recommended):
   • If your mesh is low-poly, you can apply a Subdivision Surface Modifier first to add more geometry, which will make the displacement more pronounced and smooth.
   • In Modifiers tab, add the Subdivision Surface modifier. You can increase the Level of subdivisions (e.g., 2 or 3) to get a smoother result.
3. Add the Displacement Modifier:
   • With your mesh selected, go to the Modifiers tab and click Add Modifier → Displace.
   • The Displacement Modifier allows you to displace the vertices of your model based on an image texture.
4. Set the Displacement Texture:
   • In the Displacement Modifier panel, you will see a Texture section. Click New to create a new texture, and then select the Image or Movie option under the Type dropdown in the texture panel.
   • Load your displacement image (e.g., a grayscale height map). In this image, white areas will push the surface outward, while black areas will push it inward. Various shades of gray will create varying levels of displacement.
   • You can use any image editing software to create this displacement map, or you can download height maps from various resources online.
5. Set the Texture Coordinates:
   • The Texture Coordinates section in the Displacement Modifier determines how the texture is mapped onto the object. You can use:
     • UV: If you’ve unwrapped your model.
     • Object: If you want the displacement to follow a particular object’s coordinates.
     • Global or Local: For world or local space mapping, respectively.
6. Adjust the Strength and Midlevel:
   • Strength: This controls how strong the displacement effect is. You can adjust this to fine-tune how much the surface is displaced.
   • Midlevel: This controls where the neutral point of displacement lies. A midlevel of 0.5 means the black areas of your displacement map will correspond to the base level of the mesh (no displacement). Adjusting this changes the balance of positive and negative displacement.
7. Optional: Apply Subdivision Surface Modifier After Displacement:
   • If you want even smoother results after displacement, you can add the Subdivision Surface Modifier above the displacement modifier in the stack. This will further smooth the displaced surface, making it more suitable for 3D printing.
8. Apply the Modifier for 3D Printing:
   • Once you're satisfied with the displacement effect, you can apply the Displacement Modifier to make the changes permanent (for 3D printing).
   • To apply the modifier, click the Apply button in the modifier panel.
9. Export for 3D Printing:
   • With the displacement applied, your mesh will now have the surface deformations baked into its geometry. You can then export your model for 3D printing in a format like STL or OBJ.

Important Notes:

• High-Resolution Mesh: Displacement maps work best on a model with high enough geometry to show the details. If your mesh is too low-poly, the displacement might not show clearly, and the surface could appear jagged. You may need to use the Subdivision Surface modifier or apply a Multiresolution Modifier to add more detail to the mesh before applying the displacement.
• Displacement vs. Bump Mapping: The Displacement Modifier actually modifies the geometry of the model (displacing vertices), whereas bump mapping only simulates surface detail without altering the mesh itself. For 3D printing, you need the displacement to modify the mesh geometry.

Alternative: Using a Displacement Map with a Subdivision Surface Modifier:

In some cases, you may want to apply displacement through a material instead of using the Displacement Modifier. This method uses a Displacement Map in the Shader Editor (often with the Principled BSDF or Displacement node) and can be combined with the Subdivision Surface Modifier for a more advanced workflow.

However, for 3D printing, you need actual geometry modification, so the Displacement Modifier is the best way to achieve real surface deformation.

---

Summary:

To apply surface deformation based on an image for 3D printing, the Displacement Modifier is the best tool in Blender. It allows you to apply a texture (like a displacement map) that deforms the geometry of your mesh based on the grayscale values of the image. After applying the modifier, you can export the deformed mesh for 3D printing with real surface detail. Make sure your mesh has enough resolution for the displacement to show clearly, and apply the modifier before exporting your model.