MatCaps (‘Material Captures’) are approximations of materials that work very well for models that aren’t UV mapped. The MatCap texture (which is just a regular bitmap) defines a surface colour for each normal direction, and this greatly helps bring out the details in models.
Here’s an illustration of what a MatCap looks like, and how it works on a model (we added a touch of SSAO for extra effect):
To enable MatCaps, select the Matcap renderer in the ‘Scene’ tab of the 3D editor:
As of today, you can choose from six preset MatCaps for your models:
You can use different MatCaps for each material in your scene, or use the same one for everything. In addition, change the MatCap tint and control the amount of contrast on details with the curvature setting. PRO and Business users can upload custom MatCap images:
Tip: the previous default MatCap is still available as ‘metal_old’ in the presets.
For further information about our new MatCaps, please visit the Help Center.
We can’t wait to see how you’ll use our new MatCaps, so tag your new uploads with #newmatcap and we’ll share our favourite models on social media!
About the author
Bart Veldhuizen
Community Lead at Sketchfab. 3D Scanning enthusiast and Blenderhead.
Wow, this opens a lot more possibilities, especially for high poly sculpts! :O
Can I set different MatCap for each material?
Also, I want MatCap to be able to multiply and add to color texture.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C4kctCJVcAEiosc.jpg:large
I have created such a shader in Unity.
I would like to do the same with Sketchfab.
That’s great addition! You should provide an option to save your Sketchfab material, lighting and effects settings so you can reuse them on other 3D model uploads.
Yes, you can: to select a different MatCap for each material, uncheck the ‘Apply to all materials’. You cannot mix MatCaps and existing colours and textures..
Thank you for your reply.
I am happy if I respond in the future. ：)
very good
Can I use these new functions on this site? Or should I only use some software? Now, when I click one of your sketches on this site, and click on the Setttings, and go to Rendering, I can see the same old MatCaps (6 colours including black).
You can access the settings in the 3D editor, so for your own models only. Here’s more information: https://help.sketchfab.com/hc/en-us/articles/115003065883-Materials-Matcap-
Thanks! 🙂
Are these just fuzzy hemispherical panoramas? If I were to make those to go with a model made at the same time would shiny things reflect that panorama?
No it’s not a reflection map. Instead, each pixel on the circle represents the color of light from a specific direction.
Oh sweet! This’ll make presentation of sculpts way faster. I may upload some sketches collecting dust on my hd…