Multi layered materials in Max

Soccerman18

In photoshop you're able to have multiple layers which can affect a base layer (overlay and such). Is it possible to do something similar in Max? I tried using a composite material, but that only showed the top material. For example, I have a blob (a sphere with a cellular displacement map) that has a diffuse map that I'm trying to get the bumps lighter and the creveces darker. Basically overlaying the cellular texture on the diffuse texture. If I had the cellular texture I could easily do this in photoshop, but as I don't it'd be easier to copy the displacement map and use that to lighten and darken the diffuse map, rather than having to do it manually and hoping to get it all lined up correctly.

FatAssasin

Sounds like you could use the Mix map to do what you want.

Also, I've seen a plugin for the MatEd that emulates Photoshop's layers, but I don't have the link handy. I'll try and dig it up, but I think Mix might just work for what you want to do.

Eric Chadwick

Unfortunately Mix won't do both light and dark, unless you do a complex nest, using the Output spinners to modulate them. Yuck.

There are actually two plugins to solve it:
http://www.maxplugins.de/max7.php?search=scianacomp
or
http://www.morphographic.com/Diversions/MaxPlugins/Diversions_3DMAXPluginsCompositeMode.htm

Soccerman18

Yea I tried Mix, didn't work as well. Seemed more like it was erasing parts or changing the opacity of the layer.

Gonna have to try that plugin tomorrow at work (I don't have Max at home). Looks like it'd do what I'm trying to do. Does it only handle two layers or can it do multiple layers?

Eric Chadwick

I've only used CompositeMode so far, it handles two at a time but you can layer them, so like this:


<font class="small">Code:</font><hr /><pre>CompositeMode map
Bitmap1 (additive)
CompositeMode map
Bitmap2 (multiply)
Bitmap3 (normal)</pre><hr />
Hope that makes sense. You'll see when you get in, it's pretty cool.

KMan

I've used scianacomp before, and found it to be the best bet for getting those ps blend modes to come through.

Soccerman18

Yea that makes sense Eric. Cool, definitly will have to give that a shot tomorrow.

Eric Chadwick

I gotta give sciAnaComp a whirl, sounds like an improvement.