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This page introduces you to the VRayMtl, which is the major building block for most shading networks in V-Ray.

Overview

The VRayMtl is a very versatile material that allows for better physically correct illumination (energy distribution) in the scene, faster rendering, and more convenient reflection and refraction parameters. This material can be easily set up to simulate a huge variety of surfaces from plastics to metals to glass and more by adjusting a handful of parameters.

Furthermore, with the VRayMtl you can apply different texture maps, control the reflections and refractions, add bump and displacement maps, force direct GI calculations, and choose the BRDF for how light interacts with the surface material.

Read more about the Basic Parameters that control properties like the diffuse and opacity colors, or the articles on Reflection, Coat Layer, Refraction, Sheen Layer, Bump and Normal Mapping and the Options of VRayMtl.

For advanced information on the V-Ray Material structure, see the V-Ray Material Structure page.

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Mathew Monro-guardingthevan.jpg

^{Image courtesy of Mathew Monro}

||Right-click on the geometry|| > Assign New Material... > VRay section > VRay Mtl

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > maya2022_52010_assignNewMtl.gif

||V-Ray Shelf|| > Right-click to Create V-Ray Materials button > VRay Mtl

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > maya2024_62001_VRayMaterials.png

||Hypershade|| > Window tab > Create... > VRay section > VRay Mtl

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > maya2022_52010_hypershade_vray2.gif

Presets

Presets – Available in the Maya Node Preset menu, the VRayMtl presets offer values for commonly used materials. See the VRayMtl Presets example below for more information.

Presets use settings that work well (in terms of speed and realism) as a starting point or for general-use cases. However, when a custom scene requires it, the material parameters values can be further edited to work best. For example, Glass and Glass (Tinted) use glossiness values that speed up rendering, but rendering a close-up view of a realistic glass object may require further adjustments. For an in-depth approach refer to the How-To tutorials.

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > maya2022_60010_mtlPresets.gif

Example: VRayMtl Presets

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_VRayMtl_Default_preset.png

Default

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_ceramic.png

Ceramic

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_chocolate.png

Chocolate

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_diamond.png

Diamond

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_glass.png

Glass

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_glassArchitectural.png

Glass (Architectural)

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_glassFrosted.png

Glass (Frosted)

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_glassTinted.png

Glass (Tinted)

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_plastic.png

Plastic

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_rubber.png

Rubber

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > max2022_Vray6_SoapBubble.png

Soap Bubble

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_water.png

Water

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_VRayMtl_PinkSatin.png

Pink Satin

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_VRayMtl_RedVelvet.png

Red Velvet

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_VRayMtl_WhiteSatin.png

White Satin

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_aluminimum.png

Aluminium

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_aluminimumBrushed.png

Aluminium (Brushed)

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_aluminimumRushed.png

Aluminium (Rough)

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_chrome.png

Chrome

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_copper.png

Copper

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_copperRough.png

Copper (Rough)

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_gold.png

Gold

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_goldRough.png

Gold (Rough)

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_iron.png

Iron

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_lead.png

Lead

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_silver.png

Silver

V-Ray for Maya > VRayMtl > Max2020_VRay5_silverRough.png

Silver (Rough)

Non-realistic material presets, such as Chocolate, Plastic, Ceramic, and Rubber are ‘quick’ compared to their realistic (SSS-enabled) counterparts. They can be used for generic plastic for the plastic backs of computer monitors or laptops in a meeting room, or for the car tires in a scene where the cars are somewhere in the distance, etc.

Each V-Ray Material rollout has its own dedicated page listed below:

Basic

V-Ray Diffuse color, Opacity, Self-Illumination

Reflection

V-Ray Material Reflection Parameters

Coat

V-Ray Material Coat Parameters

Refraction

V-Ray Material Refraction Parameters

Sheen

V-Ray Material Sheen Parameters

Bump and Normal Mapping

V-Ray Material Bump and Normal Mapping Parameters

Options and Hardware Texturing

V-Ray Material's Options and Hardware Texturing