Creating True to Life Materials

Susan Kehila

Updated November 27, 2024 12:07

You can use the following features to help create true-to-life materials in VStitcher:

3D Trim
2.5D Trim
Multi-Layer Fabrics
Material Maps

Using 3D Trim

You can use 3D trim objects to enhance the appearance of a garment and provide a true-to-life simulation. 3D trim objects can be OBJ or FBX files. You can edit 3D trim.

Note

3D trim objects have mass and therefore, if applied after the garment is simulated, require the garment to be simulated again . However, the simulation does not complete unless you click Finish (on the Main toolbar).

For more information, refer to Importing 3D Objects.

Using 2.5D Trim

If 3D trim is not readily available, 2D artwork objects can be made to look 3D in VStitcher. Such objects, known as 2.5D trim, use a combination of artwork and applied physics to create the appearance of a 3D trim.

For more information, refer to Creating 2.5D Trim.

Using Multilayered Fabrics

You can group textures and artwork to create a multilayered fabric, also known as a fabric group. Using a multilayered fabric helps simulate the appearance of textured fabrics and patterns to create simulated garments that are true-to-life.

For more information, refer to Creating a Multi-Layer Fabric.

Using Material Maps

Material maps are artwork layers that together create the true-to-life appearance and texture of a fabric. A material map consists of the following:

Diffuse map

A diffuse map has a texture and a color. Sometimes referred to as a color map, the diffuse map holds the color and general physical appearance of the fabric. It looks like a photograph of the fabric, as in the following image.
Normal map

A normal map has a texture. Sometimes referred to as a bump map, the normal map holds the texture and depth of the image. The value for this map is changed to adjust the 3D texture of the garment - smooth out or increase bumps. Normal maps are characterized by their blue color with pink highlights, as in the following image.
Specular map

A specular map has a texture and a color. The specular map holds the sheen or luster of the fabric: how shiny the fabric is. Many fabrics have little or no information in their specular map, as they do not have a high level of luster in real life. Specular maps are characterized by their dark color with few highlights, as in the following image.

You can create material maps for use in VStitcher from flatbed scans of fabrics.

When creating maps, It is recommended to create the diffuse map first.

For more information, refer to: