The Options dialog for the Slate Material Editor lets you set some global preferences about the editor’s behavior.
Interface
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Node Layout Direction group
The layout direction affects the overall layout of each material tree.
- left -> right (The default.) When chosen, the input sockets of a node are on the left, and the node’s output socket is on the right.
- right -> left When chosen, the input sockets of a node are on the right, and the node’s output socket is on the left.
Node Options group
- Show Additional Parameters
- When on, by default an open node shows “additional” parameters. When off, by default an open node shows only mappable parameters. Default=off.
You can use a node’s right-click menu to display or hide additional parameters for that individual node.
- Show mr Connection
- When on, by default an open node shows mental ray Connection parameters. Default=on.
You can use a node’s right-click menu to display or hide mental ray Connection parameters for that individual node.
General Options group
- Use Antialiased Fonts
- When on, headings and parameter names in a node are displayed using antialiased fonts. When off, headings and parameters names in a node are displayed using hard-edged fonts, which are slightly smaller than the antialiased version. Default=off.
Multi/Sub Material Options group
- Number of Sub-Materials
- Sets the default number of sub-materials for a new Multi/Sub-Object material. Default=10.
You can use the Set Material button to change the number of sub-materials in an individual Multi/Sub-Object material node.
- Empty Sub-Material Slots
- When off, creating a new Multi/Sub-Object material also creates a new Standard material for each default sub-material. When on, no new sub-materials are created. Default=off.
Turning off this option can be convenient when you want the sub-materials to consist of individual materials you have already created.
Grid Options group
- Grid Size
- Sets the grid size, in units that are local to the Slate Material Editor. Default=20.
- Snap Post to Grid
- When on, moving a node snaps the top-left corner of the node to the nearest grid corner. When off, the node does not snap. Default=on.
- Snap Size to Grid
- When on, resizing a node snaps the node size to the nearest grid corner. When off, the node size does not snap. Default=on.
Bitmap Editor Path group
These controls let you specify a bitmap editor, such as Paint or Photoshop, to use when you edit bitmaps in your scene.
- Use the text field to specify the path and name of the bitmap editing application.
- Click the
button with an ellipsis to open a file dialog that lets you browse to the application to use.
To edit a bitmap, right-click the Bitmap node and choose Edit Bitmap.
- Use Compatibility Display Mode (for display problems with older graphic card drivers)
- If you notice problems with the Slate Material Editor display, and your system uses an older graphics card, turn on this option to improve the Slate Material Editor appearance. Default=off.