# Material Texture Slots

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<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2Fe9favKW2oFZT3zr2QfRW%2FMaterial-Texture-Slots-Example.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=7d7582a3-7d8d-4cea-8c67-3c613f125df0" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Element 3D comes with many advanced material options to make your models look as good as possible. By tweaking the settings of each texture component, you can achieve stunning results.

### BUILDING MATERIALS

For an overview on how to build materials, refer to the [previous section](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/building_materials_in_element_3d/).

### TEXTURE CHANNELS

Please refer to the [Texture Channel Pop-up section](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/help_files_v2/texturing_and_materials/texture_channel_popup/) for detailed information on those parameters.

### DIFFUSE

This is generally the main color of your material’s surface.

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2FtC3JmOK17PS90DAuPa7y%2FMaterial-Texture-Slots-Example-Diffuse.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=4f160ad2-061b-44bd-a0b7-03c93091fe49" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### REFLECTION / REFRACTION

This slot controls the amount of reflection or refraction a surface is able to receive. This channel will work in combination with the specular map and block out additional reflectivity.

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2FHN9puFR4ovxx17DXpWt0%2FMaterial-Texture-Slots-Example-Reflection.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=8824a4ab-335d-4d7e-8700-9d0b8c5f332c" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### ILLUMINATION

This slot allows you to use an illumination map for areas that you want to appear illuminated. Once the map is set be sure to increase the illumination intensity.

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2F2QsR1Ijwon3MHlrqYuJY%2FMaterial-Texture-Slots-Example-Illumination.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=71e4900b-8fe6-4e14-b559-aaeebb3c06bf" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### NORMAL BUMP

This channel allows you to use a special surface map called a Normal Bump to create textured surfaces that are affected by lighting. To adjust the intensity of the Normal bump, you can decrease the opacity of the map next to the map slot.

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2Fn9YOtFYfw0zEhSo9p037%2FMaterial-Texture-Slots-Example-Normal-Bump.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=c4973ed2-4e9b-4c1c-b4c7-f6dc07630a41" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### OCCLUSION

This texture channel will multiply dark shading on top of the diffuse channel. Great for being able to fine tune the ambient occlusion texture pass with the opacity amount.

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2FhbdGNedgktO6nMSoj3Rp%2FMaterial-Texture-Slots-Example-Occlustion.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=95ed86f1-3407-43dc-aec1-95fcd90036e9" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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### ENVIRONMENT

This texture slot allows you to specify a specific environment map other than the default one to reflect. One purpose would be to have a blurry version of the map for one material and a non-blurred version on another material in the same scene to create objects that appear more chrome and objects with blurry reflections.

<figure><img src="https://2307539615-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FVXPIT6wWK7VeTYMAHNYe%2Fuploads%2FrhPcxxZ6vH0O2HcrjNh4%2FMaterial-Texture-Slots-Example-Enviornment.jpg?alt=media&#x26;token=0ab5c4a5-0e91-46e1-b84a-4c6ba18409c3" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

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[Watch beyond the basics video for more information on material texture slots](https://www.videocopilot.net/help/element/tutorial/basic/in_depth_overview/)\
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![](https://www.videocopilot.net/assets/public/images/v6/products/element/tutorials/in_depth_overview.jpg)

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