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How to Create an Ergonomic Mesh Material for an Office Chair in KeyShot

CategoriesKeyShot
Post date October 21, 2024

In this mini tutorial, we will learn how to create a realistic ergonomic mesh material for an office chair using KeyShot. This material is commonly used for lumbar support areas in modern office chairs and can be easily applied to your 3D model.

Step 1: Preparing the 3D Model and Textures

First, ensure you have the 3D model of the office chair ready. To create the ergonomic mesh, you’ll need to download texture maps that closely resemble the material. You can find similar textures from this texture repository.

For this tutorial, we will use four texture maps: Base Color, Roughness, Bump and Opacity.

Step 2: Assigning the Generic Material in KeyShot

Select the lumbar support area of the office chair model. Assign a Generic material to this part by right-clicking the model and selecting Material > Type > Generic.

Step 3: Using the Material Graph to Apply Textures

Open the Material Graph by right-clicking the material and selecting Edit Material Graph. Drag and drop the texture maps (Base Color, Roughness, Bump, and Opacity) into the Material Graph window.

Step 4: Assigning Texture Maps to the Correct Channels

Now, assign each texture map to its corresponding channel in the Generic material:

  • Base Color → Connect to the Base Color channel to define the color and appearance of the material.

  • Roughness → Connect to the Roughness channel to control how matte or shiny the material surface is.

  • Bump → Connect to the Bump channel to add surface detail and give the material a textured appearance.

  • Opacity → Connect to the Opacity channel to create the mesh effect, making parts of the material transparent and allowing light to pass through.

    • Step 5: Adjusting the UV Mapping

    Double-click on any texture map in the Material Graph. In the Mapping Type section, select UV Mapping to properly align the textures to the model’s surface.

    Step 6: Fine-Tuning the Mesh Size

    If the mesh appears too large on the lumbar support area, go back to the Material Graph. Double-click on any texture map and, in the Size and Mapping section, set the Width to 0.1. This will reduce the size of the mesh, making it finer and more realistic.

    Step 7: Understanding the Importance of the Opacity Map

    The real “magic” of this material lies in the Opacity map. This texture acts as a mask, cutting out parts of the material to create the see-through mesh effect. Light can pass through the holes, adding to the realism of the render.

    Conclusion

    Creating an ergonomic mesh material for an office chair in KeyShot is straightforward using the Material Graph and the right texture maps. The Opacity map is crucial for achieving the mesh effect, and by adjusting the UV mapping and size settings, you can fine-tune the material to look realistic. This technique adds a professional touch to your product renders.

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