The Material Map options provides the greatest control
over the IFW2 textures. Basically, it allows one texture to
act as a map combining two other textures based on
its texture function. For the sake a clarity the
material map texture stack is as follows:
This mean that you could add a tile pattern and use it to
control the application of two other textures so that texture one
was applied to the tiles and texture two to the grouting.
The first thing to understand is the way a texture
(the material map) will actual derive the information that is passed
on to the following layers (the material textures). Essentially,
there are two types of texture one with color maps, (IFW2_Gradient,
IFW2_Noise, IFW2_Organic, IFW2_Skins, IFW2_Space, IFW2_SpecialFX and
IFW2_Water) and ones without color maps (IFW2_Display, IFW2_Panels and IFW2_Tiles).
Material Maps Using Alpha Maps
When using textures that employ color maps it is the alpha map that
controls the application of the two following textures. Basically,
you add a texture and set up an alpha map (generally, you would turn
off the application of color, bump, etc. by this texture). If you
then add another texture and check its Material Map check box it will
be applied full on where the first texture's alpha map is 100% and not
applied at all where its 0%. If you want to complete the full material
map a third texture can be applied with its Material Map check box enabled.
This texture is applied full on where the first texture's alpha map
is 0% and not at all where it is 100%. This basically, fills in
the gaps left by the second texture. This can be summarized as:
| Texture One |
Material Map |
Any color mapped Texture with an alpha map |
| Texture Two |
Material One |
Any texture with it Material Map check box enabled.
Applied full on where material one's alpha map is 100%. |
| Texture Three |
Material Two |
Any texture with it Material Map check box enabled.
Applied full on where texture one's alpha map is 0%. |
Alpha Material Mapping
 |
 |
 |
Material Map
Showing its Alpha Map |
With Material One |
With Material Two |
Material Maps Not Using Alpha Maps
When using textures that do not employ a color map the application of the two
following textures is controlled by the texture pattern itself. There are
two modes in which the pattern can control the application of the textures,
mixed and pattern. The mix mode is selected when the Pass On Mix check box
is enabled. Here, the mix used to control the color of the tiles or
panels is used directly to control the blend of the two material textures.
For example, if you were using a tile pattern as the material map the two
following textures would be applied only where the tile pattern was with each
tile being textures with a mix between them. Alternatively, when the Pass On
Mix check box is disabled (pattern mode) the pattern will be used directly.
This means that if you were using a tile pattern the first material texture
would be applied to the tiles and the second material texture to the grout.
Tile Material Mapping
 |
 |
 |
Material Map
Pass On Mix Enabled |
With Material One |
With Material Two |
|
 |
 |
Material Map
Pass On Mix Disabled |
With Material One |
With Material Two |
|
