Maya: Shader Networks

Learn to create complex materials and shader networks in Maya, the industry leader in 3D materials and shaders.

Introduction

• Shader networks in Maya
• Using the exercise files

1. Shader Network Essentials

• Duplicating networks
• Exporting and importing networks
• Distance-based mapping with Ai Ambient Occlusion
• Shape-based mapping with Ai Curvature
• Creating a Substance node for parametric mapping
• Mapping Substance outputs
• Adjusting Substance attributes

2. Color and Compositing

• Color adjustment with Color Correct
• Adjusting a floating-point attribute with remap value
• Mapping luminance to a color palette with ramp
• RGB curves with remap color
• Extracting hue, saturation, and value with RGBToHSV
• Building a network to remap saturation and luminance
• Compositing maps with layered texture
• Compositing materials with layered shader

3. Mapping and Scene Data

• Applying multiple map coordinates with UV sets
• Preparing for the 3D Paint tool
• Painting a map with the 3D Paint tool
• Using a 3D Paint file in a shader network
• Combining UVs with texture data
• Camera- and scene-based mapping with sampler info
• Scene and shading nodes in the Node Editor
• Using an expression in a shading network
• Camera mapping with projection

4. Non-Photoreal Materials

• Understanding a non-photoreal network
• Creating a ramp texture
• Creating a noise texture
• Multiplying colors with layered texture
• Defining a cutoff threshold with a Condition node
• Incorporating diffuse light with surface luminance

5. Interoperability

• Exporting Maya maps with Convert to File Texture
• Setting up AOVs for Render to Texture
• Baking shader components with Render to Texture

Conclusion

• Next steps