PBR channels (base color, roughness, metallic, normal/bump, transparency, emission)

Set PBR channels to control color, surface response, metal, detail, transparency, and emission in 3D materials.

What it is

PBR channels are separate grayscale or color images that describe surface properties. Common channels include base color, roughness, metallic, normal or bump, opacity or transmission, and emission.

Base color carries unlit surface color. Roughness controls reflection sharpness. Metallic identifies metal surfaces. Normal or bump maps add small surface detail without changing the mesh. Opacity or transmission controls see-through areas, and emission marks surfaces that glow.

In a 2D workflow, these channels let you adjust lighting and cameras without repainting the material for each render.

Why it matters

PBR channel control helps materials keep consistent surface behavior across shots. Weak control can make surfaces look flat or plasticky, make metals resemble gray plastic, or cause glowing areas to lose brightness in darker scenes.

You can check it when

✓Open a material and describe what base color, roughness, metallic, normal or bump, opacity or transmission, and emission each contribute to the render.
✓Check that the base color contains surface color without painted highlights or shadows when the other channels are off and lighting is flat.
✓Change one channel, such as roughness or metallic, and predict the visible effect before rendering or moving the light.
✓Review a render for distinct metals and nonmetals, varied gloss levels, surface detail that catches light, transparent areas, and emission.

PBR channels (base color, roughness, metallic, normal/bump, transparency, emission)

What it is

Why it matters

You can check it when

Related skills