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Right click and delete the default cube
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Go to File > Import > Stl (.stl)
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Select the file you would like to color, then click "Import"
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Zoom out (scroll wheel) to see your model in the workspace
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Scroll wheel zooms in and out
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Middle mouse orbits
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Shift + Middle mouse pans
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Select the UV Editing tab
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Click on a preset view from the desired direction
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If object becomes deselected press the "A" key to select all again
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Select UV > Project from View (Bounds)
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To learn about UV projection and other methods check out the Blender page here
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Go to Edit > Preferences
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Under Add-ons search for "Node Wrangler" and enable it
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Go to the Shading Tab
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Select "New"
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Select Add > Texture > Image Texture
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Place to the left of the Principled BSDF Node
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With the Image Texture node selected press "Ctrl + T" to add the Texture Coordinate and Mapping nodes
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Click the yellow dot (Color) on the Image Texture node and drag over to the yellow dot (Base Color) on the Principled BSDF node
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On the Image Texture node click "Open"
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Increase the X,Y,Z scale values of the Mapping Node to shrink the image on the object.
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Learn more about the Mapping Node.
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To change the projection or extension methods use the Image Texture Node.
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Learn more about the Image Texture Node.
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Click Add > Texture > Image Texture and place it below the existing Image Texture.
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On the Image Texture Node click the "+" to create a new image.
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Name the texture.
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Adjust the Width and Height, 4096 is a good starting point.
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Turn off Alpha and select OK.
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Navigate to the Render Tab.
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Change the Render Engine to Cycles.
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Open the Bake menu.
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Change the Bake Type to "Diffuse".
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Unselect "Direct" and "Indirect" so that only "Color" is highlighted.
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Select the Model (orange highlight) and the new Image Texture Node (white outline).
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Click "Bake".
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The render time will vary based on your computer and the image size you created.
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Hook up your new texture to the Principle BSDF Node.
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If the texture looks very pixelated return to step 9 and increase the image size.
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Click on the Hamburger Menu > Image > Save As
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Save the image in the same folder that you will save the exported model.
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Click File > Export > Wavefront (.obj)
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Make sure "Material Groups" is checked.
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Navigate to the folder where your Image Texture is saved.
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Name your file and click Export OBJ.
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Other programs will expect the .obj, .mtl, and texture image to be in the same folder.
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