Plasticity Essentials
Shader Mode

Shader Mode

Shader Mode

  • You can switch between Plasticity's built-in shaders by clicking on them. When Render mode is off, selected Plasticity matcaps will be applied and displayed on objects.

  • Available matcaps:

Matcaps in Shader Mode

NameNumberApplicabilityNote
Ceramic Dark1Default Appearance-
Metal Carpaint2Glossy Appearance-
Dark Shinny3Glossy Appearance-
Gradient4Ambient Gradient Appearance-
Ceramic Lightbulb5Highlight CheckerWhen Render Mode is turned off, you can assign different material colors to be displayed in real time in the viewport.
Color Matcap6Matte AppearanceWhen Render Mode is turned off, you can assign different material colors to be displayed in real time in the viewport.
Black Silhouette7Silhouettes Checker-
Color Silhouette8Silhouettes Checker with ColorWhen Render Mode is turned off, you can assign different material colors to be displayed in real time in the viewport.
Isophote/Isoangle9Static Surface Continuity CheckerShader is applied on the object based on current camera angle. Adjust stripe density in the "Material Options" menu.
Draft Angle10Draft Angles Checker for Mold RemovalDraw angle is displayed on the object based on current construction plane. Adjust the draw angle threshold (blue) relative to the construction plane in the "Material Options" menu.
Horizontal Zebra Reflection11Surface Continuity Checker-
Vertical Zebra Reflection12Surface Continuity Checker-

All Matcaps

  • Custom matcaps appear under the "All Matcaps" category.

Custom Matcaps

Installing Custom Matcaps

  1. Prepare your custom matcap files, ensuring that EXR and PNG files have identical names.
  2. Find the .plasticity directory on your operating system and create a new folder named "matcaps".

Navigate to C:/Users/<username>/.plasticity.

  1. Move your custom matcap files into this folder, then restart Plasticity to apply the changes.

Installing Matcaps

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Tip

  • Ensure that both the EXR and PNG files are 512x512 pixels with a transparent background. The EXR file should also be in at least a 16-bit color range.
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Note

  • Make sure you enable the option to view hidden folders in your operating system to access the .plasticity directory.

Toggle Show Edges, Curves, and Faces

  • Edges, curves, and faces can be shown or hidden using the toggle buttons.

Toggle Options in All Matcaps

FunctionShortcutButtonCommand Name
Toggle show Edges
(Turning this off will hide the Edges.)		(13)Viewport: toggle Edges
Toggle show Curves
(Turning this off will hide the Curves.)		(14)Viewport: toggle Curves
Toggle show Faces
(Turning this off will hide the Faces.)		(15)Viewport: toggle Faces
Last updated on 3/23/2025
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