Master Forgotten Metal Shading Technique For Realistic 3D Materials

At 80 Level, we often look back at classic CGI and game development approaches that not only continue to amaze but have also stood the test of time, remaining just as applicable today. Lucas Piazzini's Forgotten Metal Knowledge video has been reuploaded after an unfortunate copyright issue with its AC/DC intro, so if you're interested in realistic 3D, it's well worth watching.

You'll go back to 2008 to take a closer look at Tony Stark's Iron Man suit, learn about reflection tailoff, and discover how even familiar materials can be improved for greater realism. The tutorial is demonstrated in 3ds Max with V-Ray and Blender with Cycles, but the principles can be applied to virtually any 3D software or renderer.

Previously, we featured an impressive project by SavageCG, who was inspired by this video to rework Blender's Metallic BSDF, adding more than 30 material presets. It's also available for free.

If you're interested in more behind-the-scenes insights from major productions, check out Pixar's AI spiders for Toy Story 4 and learn about texturing Jaegers in Pacific Rim Uprising:

Disney's work on Rapunzel's hair remains an impressive technical achievement, even after all these years:

We invite you to explore our interview section, where artists share insights into creating and refining realistic metal materials in 3D, and subscribe to our Newsletter, join our 80 Level Talent platform, Discord, and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, Telegram, and Instagram, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.