Graphics Programs Reference
In-Depth Information
Multiple material slots may be intro-
duced for each individual object in the
scene. The application of multiple material
slots can be demonstrated by showing how
a single mesh object can have multiple col-
ors. Follow this procedure, leaving the de-
fault cube in the scene.
Add a UV sphere mesh object to the
scene. The sphere will be in object mode and
selected in the 3D view. Have the proper-
ties window with the “Material” buttons ac-
tive. The sphere will be the default dull gray
color and the materials properties window
will be blank. Remember the cache is
still available for selecting materials if
you wish.
Click on the “New” button to cre-
ate a new material. By default, it is
the dull gray color but note its data
block ID name in the window: “Ma-
terial.002” (Figure 4.39). Click on the
“Browse Material” button and you will
see the new name has been added to
the cache. The name is “Material.002”
since “Material” and “Material.001”
already exist.
Now click on the “Add Materials
Slot” button (Figure 4.40). A new slot
is created but note that there is no material linked and the new slot is not assigned to the
object selected in the 3D view. At this point, you can click on the “Browse Material” button
and link a material to the new slot or you may click on “New” to create a new material data
block. Remember, a new data block will be a duplication of the last data block selected,
which in this case was “Material.002.” Click on “New.”
Since “Material.002” was the last in the list, Blender names the new material data block
“Material.003” and it is identical to “Material.002” (Figure 4.41). Change the color of “Ma-
terial.003”—notice that the sphere does not change color. There are now two color slots:
one is linked to the sphere and the other is not linked. Remember, the information in the
properties material window is only relevant to the object that is selected in the 3D view. If
the sphere were deselected, the first slot remains assigned to the sphere since it was the last
object selected. As a demonstration of the foregoing, select the cube then the sphere and
note the change to the properties window.
We now have two slots assigned to the sphere: one is assigned and the other is not. To
change the assignment, make sure the sphere is selected in the 3D window and tab to edit
mode. All the vertices will be selected. Click on the new material slot (in this case, the slot
with “Material.003” linked) and click on “Assign.” Tab back to object mode and you will see
“Add Materials Slot” button
Figure 4.40
New “Material.003”
The upper
slot is linked
to the
sphere.
Figure 4.41
 
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