Custom Radiance Material

ClimateStudio lets you import custom Radiance materials using .rad files or BSDF .xml files. Please note that you need to be familiar with the Radiance material modifiers to use this option.

../_images/matBrowser_custom.png

Use the Manage button (3) to create a new library. A pop-up dialog will guide you through the process (see below). Use the Library dropdown (1) to switch between existing libraries, and the Reload button (2) to refresh the current library (e.g. if the .rad files in its source directory have changed).

Imported materials for the currently-selected library are shown in the Material table (5). A text area at the top of the dialog shows the Radiance definition for the currently selected material. A rendered preview is currently supported only for plastic, metal, or glass materials without texture modifiers.

Defining a Custom Library

Step 1: Create a Library Directory

Create a directory in which you want to store your custom Radiance materials, e.g. Documents\RadianceMaterials.

Step 2: Create Radiance Material File(s)

Create one or more Radiance materials and add them to the directory. Each material definition should be saved as its own .rad file, and should include any modifiers referenced by the definition. An example file for a bright red material can be downloaded here.

Step 3: Link the Material Library to ClimateStudio

Click on the manage button (3) to open the custom library manager:

../_images/matBrowser_custom_add.png

Use the Add button (6) to add a library directory, or the Remove button (7) to remove an existing folder. The list of currently-loaded libraries is shown in the table (8). These will be the options available in the library dropdown (1).

Step 4: Select Your Custom Library and Assign a Material

Exit the library manager and select your library using the library dropdown (1). Use the material table (5) to select a material, and click the Select button to make the assignment.


Back to Materials.