Autodesk 12812-051462-9011 User Guide 3 - Page 227

The most common use of reflection maps in a realistic scene is to add just a touch of reflection to an otherwise non-reflective surface. By default, reflection map strength is 100 percent, as it is for other maps. For many kinds of surfaces, however, reducing the strength gives the most realistic result. A polished table top, for example, primarily shows a wood grain; the reflections are secondary. Reflection maps look more realistic if you increase the Glossiness and Specular Level values in the Basic Parameters rollout on page 5406. They are also affected by the diffuse on page 7955 and ambient on page 7906 color values. The darker the color, the stronger the mirror effect. Even when the Amount spinner is at 100, the reflection map is tinted by the ambient, diffuse, and specular on page 8133 colors. In metal materials, the Diffuse color tints the reflection map. Specifically, the color from the reflection map is multiplied by the diffuse color (including a diffuse map, if one exists). The value (in the HSV on page 8105 description) of the diffuse color controls the reflection map intensity. If the diffuse color value is 255, the reflection is at full intensity; if the value is 0, the map is not visible. In non-metal materials, the Specular color multiplies only reflection maps. The value (in the HSV on page 8105 description) of the specular color affects the reflection intensity. If the specular color value is 255, the reflection is at full intensity; if the value is 0, the map is not visible. Procedures To create an automatic reflection: 1 In the Maps rollout, click the Map button labeled Reflection. 2 In the Material/Map Browser on page 5357, choose the Reflect/Refract map type, and then click OK. Adjusting the map's Strength slider in the parent material's Maps rollout controls how reflective the material is. At 100 percent, the material is fully reflective. To assign a bitmap as a reflection map: 1 In the Maps rollout, click the Map button labeled Reflection. In the Material/Map Browser on page 5357, double-click Bitmap. 2 In the Bitmap Parameters rollout, click the Bitmap button. 3 Use the file dialog to choose the bitmap file. 5482 | Chapter 19 Material Editor, Materials, and Maps