Templates Rollout

The Templates rollout gives you a list of material types to choose from. A template is simply a set of preset parameters for the Physical Qualities rollout, which approximates the kind of material you want to create, and gives you a starting point. Once you choose a template, you can adjust its settings and add maps to enhance realism and improve the material's appearance.

• Material Editor > Architectural Material > Templates rollout

The templates do not affect the Diffuse Color on the Physical Qualities rollout, only the numeric settings.

Interface

Template drop-down list

Chooses the kind of material you are designing. Each template provides preset values for the various material parameters.

These are the material templates provided with 3ds Max. The purpose of most templates is clear, so the table doesn't comment on all of them.

Template	Comments
Ceramic Tile - Glazed
Fabric
Glass - Clear
Glass - Translucent
Ideal Diffuse	A neutral white material
Masonry	A good base for a diffuse map
Metal	Shiny and reflective
Metal - Brushed	Less shiny
Metal - Flat	Even less shiny
Metal - Polished	Highly shiny
Mirror	Completely shiny
Paint Flat	Another neutral white material
Paint Gloss	Also white, but shiny
Paint Semi-Gloss	Also white, only slightly shiny
Paper
Paper - Translucent
Plastic
Stone	A good base for a diffuse map
Stone Polished	Has a bit of shininess; also a good base for a diffuse map
User Defined	Neutral; a good base for a diffuse map
User-Defined Metal	Somewhat shiny; also a good base for a diffuse map
Water	Completely clear and shiny
Wood Unfinished	Neutral; a good base for a map
Wood Varnished