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Anisotropic Dielectric

A component for representing the specific reflectance properties of non-metals such as plastics. The reflections are not affected by the material color but are defined by the incident light.

This component follows Fresnel's Law where the amount of reflectance varies based on the angle of view. For example, viewing a carbon fiber type object at very shallow angles results in almost complete reflectance whereas looking straight on, the object exhibits less reflectance. This Fresnel falloff can be defined explicitly by setting reflectance values for 0 degrees (e.g. looking at the middle of a sphere object) and 90 degrees (looking at the edge of a sphere). You can define how quickly the falloff varies between 0 and 90 via an exponent parameter. The Fresnel effect can also be specified by using an IOR value.

This is the same as the Dielectric component with additional control over Anisotropy.

Diffuse

DiffuseColor

The basic color of the component. This can be a single color value or a texture map.

Input: Map/Color

Colour: White
DiffuseColour: White
Colour: Black
DiffuseColour: Black
Colour: Red
DiffuseColour: Red

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Reflection

Roughness

Simulates the level of polish. Higher values result in blurrier reflections. Can be used to create powdery or frosted looking materials.

Range: 0.0 - 1.0 or Map

Roughness: 0.0
Roughness: 0.0
Roughness: 0.1
Roughness: 0.1
Roughness: 0.5
Roughness: 0.5

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ReflectedColor

Can be used to control the color of reflections or using grayscale, the amount of reflections.

Input: Map/Color

ReflectedColor: White
ReflectedColor: White
ReflectedColor: Grey
ReflectedColor: Black
ReflectedColor: Red
ReflectedColor: Red

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NormalReflectivity

This parameter controls how shiny the object appears looking straight on. Typical materials of this type display little reflectance at 0 degrees.

Range: 0.0 - 1.0 or Map

NormalReflectivity: 0.0
NormalReflectivity: 0.0
NormalReflectivity: 0.5
NormalReflectivity: 0.5
NormalReflectivity: 1.0
NormalReflectivity: 1.0

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GrazingReflectivity

This parameter control how shiny the object appears looking at a very shallow angle. Typical materials of this type display higher reflectance at 90 degrees to the camera.

Range: 0.0 - 1.0 or Map

GrazingReflectivity: 0.0
GrazingReflectivity: 0.0
GrazingReflectivity: 0.5
GrazingReflectivity: 0.5
GrazingReflectivity: 1.0
GrazingReflectivity: 1.0

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Exponent

Controls how quickly the shininess changes between the normal and grazing values as you move across the surface.

Range: 0.01 - 25.0

Exponent: 0.01
Exponent: 0.01
Exponent: 0.1
Exponent: 0.1
Exponent: 0.5
Exponent: 0.5

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Anisotropy

Anisotropy

Simulates the effect of reflections on brushed or machined surfaces where you have parallel scratches or grooves. Reflections tend to get stretched out in a direction orthogonal to the scratch direction. Higher values increase stretching. Anisotropy works in conjunction with the roughness parameter.

Range: 0.0 - 1.0 or Map

Anisotropy: 0.0
Anisotropy: 0.0
Anisotropy: 0.5
Anisotropy: 0.5
Anisotropy: 1.0
Anisotropy: 1.0

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AnisotropyRotation

Controls the direction the reflection is stretched relative to the texture coordinate axis at that point. The range is 0.0 to 1.0, where 1.0 means 360 degrees, 0.25 means 90 degrees, etc. To work this out, just multiply the value by 360. You can apply textures to this to get circular brushed effects.

Range: 0.0 - 1.0 or Map

AnisotropyRotation: 0.0
AnisotropyRotation: 0.0 (0°)
AnisotropyRotation: 0.25
AnisotropyRotation: 0.25 (90°)
AnisotropyRotation: 0.65
AnisotropyRotation: 0.65 (234°)

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Refraction

Use IOR

Input: On/Off Checkbox

Ignores the normal, grazing values and exponent, and uses the IOR value to define the falloff curve.

Input: On/Off

IOR

Range: 0.0 - 50.0

Index of Refraction. Controls the amount of reflection and shape of the falloff curve, Use IOR must be checked.

IOR: 1.0
IOR: 1.0
IOR: 1.5
IOR: 1.5
IOR: 2.5
IOR: 2.5

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Coating and Decal Layers Only

Weight

Gives control over the contribution of the layers to the overall material appearance. A value of 1.0 will completely block any effect of any material layers below. A value of 0.0 will remove any of the layers contribution.

Range: 0.0 - 1.0 or Map

Weight: 1.0
Weight: 0.1
Weight: 0.5
Weight: 0.5
Weight: 1.0
Weight: 1.0

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Normal

Allows you to set a bump map to simulate surface detail and control the intensity and orientation of the effect

Range: 0.0 - 1.0 or Map

Normal: 0.2
Normal: 0.2
Normal: 1.0
Normal: 1.0
Normal: 3.0
Normal: 3.0

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Materials using Anisotropic Dielectric

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Base

Anisotropic Dielectric: Carbon Fiber
CarbonFiber

Coatings

Anisotropic Dielectric: Hammer Paint
HammerPaint
Anisotropic Dielectric: PaintEggshell
PaintEggshell
Anisotropic Dielectric: PaintGloss
PaintGloss
Anisotropic Dielectric: PaintMatte
PaintMatte
Anisotropic Dielectric: PaintPearl
PaintPearl
Anisotropic Dielectric: PlasticCoating
PlasticCoating
Anisotropic Dielectric: PowderCoating
PowderCoating

Decals

AnisotropicDielectric: BrushedPlastic
BrushedPlastic


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