Types of Maps - PBR Shader Type

Each material has 9 map channels that collaborate for materials of the PBR Shader Type. Open Texture Settings section in the Modify >> Material tab to see these channels.

Base Color map

• The most frequently used texture mapping method. It wraps the bitmap image onto the 3D geometry surface while displaying its original pixel color.
• Any bitmap image, such as scanned images or images captured by digital camera, can be used as diffuse map to represent photo-realistm.
• Users can also use image software to make pre-rendered texture effects such as shadow, bevel, bump, lighting or weathering effects.  This approach can effectively simulate real-world effects while greatly saving system resources and rendering time.

  Props with no Base Color maps	Props with different Base Color maps.

Opacity map

• Make transparency and cut-out effects from grayscale images. The black part will get cut out; the white part will be fully displayed; the gray values determine the transparency (alpha) level of the object.
• Use bright gray RGB(253,253,253) on the Opacity map to make 2-sided 3D Surface from Plane mesh.

  Prop with diffuse map	Prop masked out by Opacity map

Bump map

• When you import an image to the Bump channel, a dialog will request for the image format. Choose the Bump option if the image you want to import is in a grayscale mode.
  
• Bump mapping uses the grayscale values of an image map to create variations in the shading of the surface to which the map is applied. It adds details to 3D models without increasing the number of polygons. In iClone, white areas of a bump map are shown as high and black areas are shown as low.
• By moving around the light source we can see how the angular light projection changes the bump look. If the light is facing the surface from a straight 90 degrees angle it the bump effects are the least noticeable.

  Prop with diffuse map only	Bump - the edge blur from the bump source image causes a softer bevel effect

Normal map

• When you import an image to the Bump channel, a dialog will pop up to ask you the format of the image. Choose the Normal radio one if the image you want to import is in a normal-based one.
  
• A Normal map is made from a high polygon model. Its color representation will affect surfaces like a regular bump map while providing higher degrees of detail.
• iClone can import normal maps created in ZBrush or 3D Studio Max. By using Normal Maps you can make simple low-poly models appear as highly detailed 3D objects.
• If the image you are loading is not a specially designed normal map, then the result will not be as good.

  Prop with diffuse map only	Normal bump

AO Map (Ambient Occlusion)

This texture mapping method enhance the concavity and convexity of an object by appending additional shading around the seams or overlapping edges.

Prop with diffuse and bump maps	AO map enhances concavity and convexity.

Metallic Map

Metallic maps can determin the reflectivity of a surface ranging from completely insulate to metallic. White parts of the map stand for reflectivity while black parts of the map stand for diffusion.

Roughness Map

Roughness map is used to describe the coarseness from the definition of the microsurfaces. The surfaces mapped with white are relatively rough while the ones mapped with black are perfectly smooth.

Displacement Map

You can create monochrome image maps with popular image-editing tools such as Photoshop. By using grayscale height maps, you can push and pull the surface of a 3D model to achieve the ideal look you desire.

Using a vector-based displacement map can produce undercut details on your model. Unlike the height displacement map (monochrome) simply stretches out geometry, vector displacement produces refined curves and edges, creating an unparalleled sense of detail to your model.

A prop with diffuse map only	A displacement map (monochrome) is applied
A prop with diffuse map only	A displacement map (vector-based) is applied

Glow map

• This texture mapping technique allows users to control the glow shape, color and strength.
• Glow maps will blend with your original diffuse maps, so the lighter the diffuse color (or glow color), the stronger the glow effect.
• A bright diffuse map in combination with a bright glow map might cause overexposure.

  Prop without any texture maps	A Glow map is applied

  Note:

  Tips to create a subtle and effective glow effect:

  • Choose a diffuse image which could ideally glow in the real world.
  • Prepare the glow map, pattern and color design
  • Start by testing from a darker glow map, then increase the brightness step by step to see the best brightness setting
  • Decrease the overall ambient light

Blend Map

You may add any kind of images as the Blend map to blend with the Diffuse map, which increases the details and subtleties of the object. iClone also provides three methods, Multiply, Addition and Overlay, for blending.

Blend Mode: Multiply
Blend Mode: Addition
Blend Mode: Overlay