# Building Materials in Element 3D

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<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2FmwbTJZnAFMT4R0h8joaX%2FBuilding-Materials-in-Element-3D.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=77768eb9-6f01-4fa6-8e7b-5dd502e5cbd2" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

There are a few different key options for creating **great** looking materials in Element 3D. You can adjust [Diffuse](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/material_texture_slots/#diffuse), [Specular](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/material_texture_slots/#specular), [Reflection/Refraction](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/material_texture_slots/#reflection_refraction), [Illumination](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/material_texture_slots/#illumination), [Normal Bump](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/material_texture_slots/#normal_bump),  [Occlusion](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/material_texture_slots/#occlusion), and [Normal Bump](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/material_texture_slots/#normal_bump),  [Environment](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/material_texture_slots/#environment). See [Material Texture Slots](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/material_texture_slots/) for more specific descriptions of each material setting.

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**Beyond The Basics Video**\
• Customizing UI\
• Adding textures\
• Basic texture mapping options\
[**WATCH NOW!**](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/tutorial/basic/in_depth_overview/)

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="image">Cover image</th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2Fym9RfNllKNwrFPsa2goS%2Fin_depth_overview.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=b9bd5e5a-7be8-4b65-81f6-f3df4121ece5">in_depth_overview.jpg</a></td><td><a href="https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/tutorial/basic/in_depth_overview/">https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/tutorial/basic/in_depth_overview/</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

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The main idea is that you can click on the the slots for those material settings and load your own texture maps into those slots. For example:

<div align="left"><figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2FV8Po0DHuptJSOM6SDQCU%2Fmetal%20material%20thumb.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=4f467ce5-f539-40a8-9cfd-dfa641bfff70" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure></div>

#### EXAMPLE \&#xNAN;*Create a metallic looking texture*

1\. Click on the Diffuse slot where it says "none set" and a popup window comes up, click on the [Load Texture slot](https://www.videocopilot.net/docs/element/texturing_and_materials/building_materials_in_element_3d/#Load%20Texture).\
2\. This will let you navigate to where your textures are located, and click open to select that texture map.\
3\. You can import JPEG or PNG files.  [Go here](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/importing_3d_objects_into_element_3d/importing_3d_objects/) for recommended asset storing. This will help files stay linked together when transferring files.\
4\. If you have a [Specular](https://www.videocopilot.net/docs/element/texturing_and_materials/building_materials_in_element_3d/#Specular) version of the map you can do the same process for selecting that map and loading it into the specular slot.\
5\. Now you can [adjust each channel](https://www.videocopilot.net/docs/element/texturing_and_materials/building_materials_in_element_3d/#Adjust%20Channels) with the options that correspond to the Texture Slot name further down the material options window.\
6\. You can also [save your material settings](https://www.videocopilot.net/docs/element/texturing_and_materials/building_materials_in_element_3d/#Save%20Preset) by right clicking on the Main Material Name slot and selecting [Save as Material Preset](https://www.videocopilot.net/docs/element/texturing_and_materials/building_materials_in_element_3d/#Save%20Preset).

### LOAD A TEXTURE

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2F1O2K3SeHMmLjmDWnXue2%2Fnone%20set%20load%20texture.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=d0d7ce1f-0629-435f-b763-f71a035dc2f5" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### SPECULAR

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2FPQNGDCQ6t2SFxuL8HHev%2Floading%20specular.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=9b624692-2939-468b-a073-95dd1a102a1d" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### ADJUST CHANNELS

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2FlXPjkMp7Db5iNHZNL8pL%2Fall%20material%20settings.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=ccf9e59b-0abf-4735-8b6b-334cab21fe06" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### SAVE AS MATERIAL PRESET

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2F9RYUFNtG8EinpBeLL63O%2Fsave%20material%20preset.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=a6cccda7-4ee1-45c7-90e4-bb283a093374" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>