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Apply Substance 3D materials

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  21. Knowledge Base
    1. Known issues
    2. Fixed issues
    3. Frequently asked questions
    4. After Effects and macOS Ventura
    5. How After Effects handles low memory issues while previewing

Learn how to apply Substance 3D Materials (.sbsar files) to 3D models and parametric meshes to explore a wide range of visual styles and achieve stylized looks.

  Use new beta features

Applying Substance 3D materials is now available for testing and feedback. Try it now in After Effects (beta).

Get started

Substance Materials (.sbsar files) are dynamic, customizable materials that can give 3D models and parametric meshes a wide range of visual styles, from photorealistic textures to highly stylized looks.

These materials offer flexibility, allowing you to easily adjust the properties of 3D models and parametric meshes, such as color, texture, and pattern, to suit your creative needs. With exposed material controls, you can experiment and fine-tune the appearance of your assets without having to rebuild them from scratch.

Think of SBSARs as the 3D equivalent of MOGRTs (Motion Graphics Templates) in After Effects. Just as MOGRTs let you customize motion graphics using the exposed controls, SBSARs enable parametric controls that you can apply to 3D materials and customize within After Effects.

Before you begin:
  • Browse and download available SBSAR files from the Adobe Substance 3D Community Assets page.
  • If you're already working in After Effects, browse and download free SBSARs by selecting your 3D model in the Composition panel, then go to the Properties panel > Material > Panel menu > Get Substance Community Assets. You can also access the command from the Layer > Material menu.

  1. Import an SBSAR file into your project.

    Once you import a Substance Material into your project, it's ready to use. They do not get added to the Timeline panel.

  2. Select a 3D model or parametric mesh layer from the Timeline or Composition panel.

  3. Select the imported SBSAR in the Material Assignment section of the Timeline panel or use the Material dropdown menu in the Properties panel.

    The Material dropdown menu in the Properties panel is open, and one of the imported SBSARs is selected.
    Select the imported SBSAR to apply it to the selected 3D model or parametric mesh and begin customizing its appearance.

  4. For models with multiple assignable materials, select which part of the model you want to apply the material to using the Mesh Selection dropdown menu in the Properties panel.

    The Mesh Selection dropdown menu under the Material section in the Properties panel is open, and one of the multiple assignable materials is selected.
    If the model has multiple assignable materials, use the Mesh Selection option to choose which part to apply the material to.

    You can also twirl open the layer in the Timeline panel to view the multiple assignable materials of the selected model or parametric mesh.

  5. Change how the material is applied by adjusting the following properties:

    • Offset: Moves the texture across the surface of the 3D model or mesh.
    • Rotation: Rotates the texture around the surface of the 3D model or mesh.
    • Repeat: Determines how many times the texture is tiled across the surface.
    The Material Assignment section highlights options like Offset, Rotation, and Repeat to adjust how the material is applied to the model.
    Use the Material Assignment controls to define how the material is applied to the 3D object.

  6. Customize the material properties in the Properties panel.

    If you have applied a SBSAR that has presets, you will find them in the Presets dropdown menu under Materials in the Properties panel.

    The Presets dropdown menu under Materials in the Properties panel is open, and there are multiple presets to choose from.
    If the applied Substance Material includes presets, use the Presets dropdown menu to preview its effects on the 3D object's appearance.

    Any changes you make here are global changes and will affect every instance of that material in your project. 

  7. You can use the exposed controls to customize any material or preset applied to the 3D model or parametric mesh. If you'd like to experiment, the Randomize option allows you to introduce variation by changing the Random Seed parameter, helping you explore diverse visual outcomes.

    The Randomize option is highlighted in the Material section.
    Use the Randomize option to experiment with different material variations.

  8. Any changes made under the Material section of the applied SBSAR, such as Color, Roughness, and Metallic, are global and will affect every instance of that material in your project.

    If you'd like to customize just one instance, select Duplicate and Assign Material from the Material section menu, then make your changes. This command duplicates the material in the Project panel, then reassigns it to the selected 3D object.

    The Material section menu is open, and the Duplicate and Assign Material from the list is selected.
    Use Duplicate and Assign Material from the Material section menu to create a separate instance with customized properties of the applied SBSAR.

Note

When you assign a SBSAR with patterns to animated shapes, by default, the textures will maintain proportions. However, if you animate the parametric meshes, that may cause the texture to slide around the shape. Switch the Projection Mode from Proportional to Stretch to make it stick to a mesh even as it changes size. In Stretch mode, you may need to adjust the Repeat to match the texture’s proportions.

Be part of the discussion on support for applying Substance 3D materials in the After Effects beta community.

Additional resources

Help us to make the next releases of After Effects our best yet.
Submit feature requests, view, track, and vote for issues/feature requests using the After Effects beta support community.

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