Material / coating

Menu access : Attribute | Material

Description :

This function allows you to modify the material and/or the coating of an element by using a reference element or by choosing in the material list. It also allows to apply the current material and/or the coating.

General philosophy:

You can:

• Choose a new material and/or a new coating to apply chosen in the material list

• Modify the material and/or the coating of an element by using a reference element

• Apply the current coating and/or the current material

• Create your own material using the material editor (MANAGE MATERIALS button)

Optional point(s):

You can choose to modify only the material or only the coating or the both:

You can get the material and coating list by clicking on MATERIAL LIST.

You can change the reference element with the OTHER REFERENCE button..

Specific point(s):

Material

There is a default material when you open a new file: steel. This attribute is taken in account for the calculation of the mass of elements and for the appearance with shading mode.

When you use a reference element, texture parameters are copied with the material and the coating. If you want to change the material of an element without changing its texture you have to select him as a reference element and change the material in the material list.

• current material

The solid or surface type elements are created with the current material. To change the current material click on ( in the status bar ) and choose the new current material in the list.

• Creation of your own matter

You can configure the material and create your own by using the material editor (MANAGE MATERIALS button)

Texture

If your material has got a texture, you can modify the texture with the Attribute | Texture function.

• Coating

There is no default coating when you open a new file. You can apply a material to an element and obtain a different appearance with the realistic rendering. You can, for example, apply a wood texture on a metallic element.

• Current coating

The solid or surface type elements are created with the current coating. To change the current coating click on ( in the status bar ) and choose the new current coating in the list.

• Changing of coating

To change the coating of an element, you have to use the attribute | material function then choose a coating in the list of coating.

• Creation of your own coatings

You can configure the coatings and create your own by using the material editor (MANAGE MATERIALS button)