References make it possible to access layer and mask information from layers below in the layer stack. This allows for the creation of powerful procedural effects when texturing assets and creating materials using InstaMAT's layering and painting workflows.
¶ Creating References
There are two types of references: a Layer Reference, and a Mask Reference. A Layer Reference references the output of a layer. A Mask Reference references the composited mask at the reference's insertion point in a layer's mask composition stack.
The order in which a reference is placed in the stack of layer effects and masks is important. References can only gather information from layer or mask information below it.
¶ Creating a Layer Reference
To create a Layer Reference:
- Select a layer in the layer Stack.
- Click the
Add Referencebutton below theLayer Stackor in the main toolbar.
¶ Creating a Mask Reference
To create a Mask Reference:
- Select a mask for a layer in the
Layer Stack. Make sure the mask is selected and not the layer itself. - Click the
Add Referencebutton below theLayer Stackor in the main toolbar.
Layer References can be renamed by double clicking them in the
Layer Stack.
¶ Accessing Information from a Layer Reference
There are two ways to access information from a Layer Reference. Though a Multi-Channel Layer's channel settings, and with a Reference Generator.
¶ Multi-Channel Layer's Channel Settings
A Layer Reference can supply its channel information directly to a Multi-Channel Layer in the Layer Channels panel.
This can be done by doing the following:
- Select a
Multi-Channel Layeror create a new one. - In the
Layer Channelspanel, click the (Reference) option to supply the channel with reference information. - Use the dropdowns to choose a
Layer Referencefor theSource Reference, and the channel information to map to.
The Multi-Channel Layer now maps the reference's channel information to the layer's channel.
¶ Reference Generator
A Reference Generator can be added to a layer to map channel information from a Layer Reference.
To create a Reference Generator:
- Select a layer in the
Layer Stack. - Click the
Add Generatorbutton below theLayer Stackor in the main toolbar, then selectReference Generator. - In the Generator Properties panel, use the dropdowns to choose a
Layer Referencefor theSource Referenceand the channel information to map to. - Use the Layer Channels panel to control the blending and visibilty of the generator's channel information.
¶ Accessing Information from a Mask Reference
A Reference Generator can be added to a layer to access mask information from a Mask Reference. This process is slightly different from accessing information from a Layer Reference.
- Select a layer in the
Layer Stack. - Click the
Add Maskbutton below theLayer Stackor in the main toolbar, then selectReference Generator. - Below the
Layer Stack, use the dropdowns to select aMask Referencefor theSource Refererence, and the information to map to.
When combined with filters, references can create powerful procedural effects. This includes applying filters to masks.