How to use PBR Textures in Chief Architect software?

Physically Based Rendering (PBR) is a technique used in computer graphics to create more realistic materials and lighting. PBR textures are a set of texture maps that are designed to work with PBR rendering engines, to create accurate and believable materials. Chief Architect software, a 3D architectural design software, supports PBR textures to create more realistic visualizations of materials such as wood, metal, stone, and more. In this article, we will walk you through the process of using PBR textures in Chief Architect software.

Step 1: Open Chief Architect software

First, open the Chief Architect software on your computer. You can either create a new project or open an existing one to apply PBR textures to.

Step 2: Select the object or material

Select the object or material you want to apply the PBR texture to. This can be done in the 3D model or in the material definition. For instance, if you want to apply a PBR texture to a wooden floor in your design, select the wooden floor in the 3D model or the material definition.

Step 3: Open the Material Properties dialog box

Double-click on the material or select the material and click on the “Edit” button to open the Material Properties dialog box. In the Material Properties dialog box, you can adjust the properties of the material, including the texture, color, reflectivity, and transparency.

Step 4: Add a new texture

In the Material Properties dialog box, go to the “Textures” tab and click on the “Add” button to add a new texture. This will open a dialog box that allows you to choose the texture file you want to use from your computer or from the pre-made texture library included in the software. Chief Architect supports a variety of PBR texture formats, including PNG, JPG, and TIF.

Step 5: Set the texture’s tiling and offset parameters

Set the texture’s tiling and offset parameters to adjust how it is mapped onto the object. Tiling refers to how many times the texture is repeated on the surface of the object, while offset refers to the position of the texture relative to the object. You can adjust these parameters to achieve the desired look and feel of the material.

Step 6: Adjust the PBR properties

In the same Material Properties dialog box, go to the “PBR” tab to adjust the material’s PBR properties, such as roughness, metallic, and normal maps. These properties determine how the material interacts with light in the 3D model, making it appear more realistic. Adjust the PBR settings to achieve the desired look and feel of the material.

Step 7: Apply the changes

Once you are satisfied with the PBR texture and material settings, click “OK” to apply the changes and see the new PBR texture in your 3D model. Repeat these steps for other objects or materials in your design that you want to apply PBR textures to.

Using PBR textures in Chief Architect software is a great way to create more realistic visualizations of your designs. With its user-friendly interface and support for various PBR texture formats, Chief Architect software makes it easy to apply PBR textures to objects and materials in your 3D model. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can start using PBR textures in your Chief Architect projects today.