Add or remove a material

To add a material

1. Under ObjectsandTimeline, expand the Viewport3D object for the object that you want to modify.

   Within the Viewport3D object are containers for the cameras, materials, and lights.

   Note

   The materials and lights might be contained in an object that represents the world geometry. If so, expand the world geometry container object.

2. Expand the materials container object, and then select one of the material objects.

   The face that corresponds to the material is identified on the artboard by a blue bounding box.

3. Expand the material object until you get to the last node, as in the following image:

   3D material object selected under Objects and Timeline

   

4. In the Materials category of the Properties panel, click the color swatch next to the BackMaterial or the Material property, depending on which side of the face you want to apply the material to.

   The materials subproperty editor appears.

5. In the materials editor, click AddMaterial , and then select from the following types of materials:

   • DiffuseMaterial determines the color of the 3D object with direct light (white light) applied to it much like the paint on a wall.

   • EmissiveMaterial causes the object to appear that it is giving off light. The color of the light is determined by the color of the material.

   • SpecularMaterial controls the color of the specular highlight on a 3D object. Specular highlights are the bright spots that you see on a glossy surface such as chrome.

6. Set the desired options for the material.

   Tip

   You might have to scroll through the list of options by clicking the little black arrows at the top and bottom of the materials editor.

   Tip

   If you cannot see your material modifications, you might be editing a face that you cannot see with the current orientation of the object. For instructions about moving the object, see Move a 3D object.

   Alternatively, you might need to uncheck the ClipToBounds property in the Appearance category of the Properties panel for the Viewport3D object that represents your 3D object.

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To remove a material

1. Under Objects and Timeline, expand the Viewport3D object for the object that you want to modify.

   Within the Viewport3D object are containers for the cameras, materials, and lights.

   Note

   The materials and lights might be contained in an object that represents the world geometry. If so, expand the world geometry container object.

2. Expand the materials container object, and then select one of the material objects.

   The face that corresponds to the material is identified on the artboard by a blue bounding box.

3. Expand the material object until you get to the last node, as in the following image:

   3D material object selected under Objects and Timeline

   

4. In the Materials category of the Properties panel, click the color swatch next to the BackMaterial or the Material property, depending on which side of the face you want to apply the material to.

   The materials subproperty editor appears.

5. In the materials editor, select the material that you want to remove, and then click DeleteMaterial .

   Tip

   The list of materials is at the top of the materials editor. You might have to scroll through the list of materials by clicking the little black arrows at the top and bottom of the materials editor.