The Anisotropic shader creates surfaces with elliptical, "anisotropic" highlights. These highlights are good for modeling hair, glass, or brushed metal. The basic parameters are similar to those for Blinn or Phong shading, except for the Specular Highlight parameters, and Diffuse Level controls such as those for Oren-Nayar-Blinn shading.
-
Material Editor > Standard Material > Shader Basic Parameters rollout > Choose Anisotropic from the drop-down list.
-
Material Editor > Raytrace Material > Raytrace Basic Parameters rollout > Shading drop-down list > Choose Anisotropic.
Anisotropic highlights are elliptical, with differing U and V dimensions.
Anisotropy measures the difference between sizes of the highlight as seen from two perpendicular directions. When anisotropy is 0, there is no difference at all. The highlight is circular, as in Blinn or Phong shading. When anisotropy is 100, the difference is at its maximum. In one direction the highlight is very sharp; in the other direction it is controlled solely by Glossiness.
For more complex highlights, see the Multi-Layer shader.