[SOLVED] metalness question

[demostenes]

What is recommended approach for metalness masks? White = metal, black = non metal, so just two values and leave scaling on the material settings, or do you recommend to use full grey palette?

[cryunreal]

Hi!

 

If you want to make any dielectric, you need use metalness = 0;

If you want to make any metals, you need use metalness = 1;

Silk is exception, silk has metalness around 0.5;

 

You can consider materials from Material Balls Sample

[demostenes]

Hello, I understand this, my question was how is it done internaly, what are shaders tuned to. If metalness mask should by always black or white (no grey) and tune strenght in material via metalness parametr, or if I should use grey values even in the texture mask. 

[silent]

Hi Jirka,

 

There is no restrictions on exact color that you will use in texture, but the recommended approach is:

• Dielectric: metalness = 0; (texture color: black);
• Metals: metalness = 1; (texture color: white);
• Silk is exception: metalness = 0.5; (texture color: white).

You can experiment and see the difference in shading if you will enable color buffers output (render_show_textures 1). Changing Metalness slider from 0 to 1 rapidly will result in different specular and diffuse colors. White color in texture will give you more precise control for Metalness slider - full-range (from white to black) instead of just part of it (from grey to black).

 

Thanks!

[demostenes]

Ok, thanks, I am using only black or white in texture (no shades of grey) everywhere, I just needed confirmation, that engine is in par with that. Thanks for confirmation.