Metallic Layer

 

The layered material system lets you construct complex materials that consist of a base layer and up to eight MaterialThe representation of the surface or volume properties of an object. Layers. The layers are based on components used in previous Octane materials. Using this set of unique layers, OctaneRender® now lets you recreate complex materials in a physically-based manner, as opposed to manually mixing materialsUsed to mix any two material types. together.

 

The Metallic layer is used for highly reflective materials that have colored reflections. For more information, see the Metallic Material topic in this manual. Material Layers can connect to the Material Layer, Layer Group, or Layer pin on standard materials (Figure 1).

Metallic_Layer_Fig01_Houdini_v2021.JPG

Figure 1: A Metallic Layer mode connected to the Layer pin on a DiffuseAmount of diffusion, or the reflection of light photons at different angles from an uneven or granular surface. Used for dull, non-reflecting materials or mesh emitters. Material node

 

Metallic Layer Parameters

 

SpecularAmount of specular reflection, or the mirror-like reflection of light photons at the same angle. Used for transparent materials such as glass and water.

The layer's coating color.

 

BRDF Model

Provides three options for determining the overall bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF). The Octane option produces a brushed metal effect. The Beckmann, GGX, and Ward options produce more polished chrome-like effects.

 

Roughness

The Metallic layer's roughness.

 

Anisotropy

The Metallic layer's anisotropy. A value of -1 is horizontal, while 1 is vertical. A value of 0 is Isotropic.

 

Rotation

The Metallic Anisotropic reflection's rotation.

 

Spread

Determines the tail spread for the specualr BSDF (Bidirectional ScatteringDefines how fast light gets scattered when traveling through the medium. Distribution Function) model of the specular layer.

 

Metallic Reflection Mode

This changes how OctaneRender® calculates reflectivity.

 

Index Of Refraction

Complex-valued Index Of Refraction controlling the Metallic reflection's Fresnel effect, where n = the refractive index, and k = the extinction coefficient.

 

Film Width

Sets the film coating's thickness.

 

Film IOR

This sets the film coating's Index Of Refraction.

 

Bump

Simulates a relief using a Greyscale texture interpreted as a Height map for the layer.

 

Normal

Distorts the layer normals using an RGB image.

 

Opacity

Controls the layer's opacity with a Greyscale texture.