Materials

Materials define how surfaces look in your 3D configurator — colors, textures, shine, and finish. They’re what make a product look like plastic, metal, fabric, or wood.

What are Materials?

Materials control the visual appearance of your 3D model’s surfaces. They define:

Color — base color or texture
Finish — glossy, matte, metallic, or rough
Texture — surface patterns like fabric weave or wood grain
Physical properties — how light interacts with the surface

Think of materials as the “paint and finish” layer of your 3D product.

Why Materials matter

Good materials make the difference between a 3D model that looks realistic and one that looks like a video game. They affect:

Realism — accurate materials make products look trustworthy
Customer confidence — realistic previews reduce purchase hesitation
Brand perception — professional materials reflect quality

Material types

Basic Materials

Simple materials with solid colors or basic textures. Best for:

Getting started quickly
Products with simple finishes
Testing and prototyping

Advanced Materials

Complex materials with multiple texture maps and physical properties. Best for:

Premium products requiring photorealism
Complex surfaces (leather, carbon fiber, brushed metal)
Products where material quality is a key selling point

Quick tips

Start with basic materials and upgrade to advanced only if needed
Use consistent naming (e.g., “Midnight Blue Metallic” not “Material_43”)
Test lighting — materials look different under different lighting
Optimize textures — compress images for faster loading

Next steps

Basic Materials — learn to create simple, solid materials
Advanced Materials — explore PBR textures and complex surfaces