MTL material format (Lightwave, OBJ)

Excerpt from FILE FORMATS, Version 4.2
October 1995
Documentation created by: Diane Ramey, Linda Rose, and Lisa Tyerman
Copyright 1995 Alias|Wavefront, Inc.
All rights reserved


 
5.  Material Library File (.mtl)
 
 Material library files contain one or more material definitions, each 
of which includes the color, texture, and reflection map of individual 
materials.  These are applied to the surfaces and vertices of objects.  
Material files are stored in ASCII format and have the .mtl extension.
 
 An .mtl file differs from other Alias|Wavefront property files, such as 
light and atmosphere files, in that it can contain more than one 
material definition (other files contain the definition of only one 
item).
 
 An .mtl file is typically organized as shown below.
 
 
 	newmtl my_red
 		Material color
 		& illumination
 		statements
 
 		texture map
 		statements
 
 		reflection map
 		statement
 
 	newmtl my_blue
 		Material color
 		& illumination
 		statements
 
 		texture map
 		statements
 
 		reflection map
 		statement
 
 	newmtl my_green
 		Material color
 		& illumination
 		statements
 
 		texture map
 		statements
 
 		reflection map
 		statement
 
 	Figure 5-1.  Typical organization of .mtl file
 
 
 Each material description in an .mtl file consists of the newmtl 
statement, which assigns a name to the material and designates the start 
of a material description.  This statement is followed by the material 
color, texture map, and reflection map statements that describe the 
material.  An .mtl file map contain many different material 
descriptions.
 
 After you specify a new material with the "newmtl" statement, you can 
enter the statements that describe the materials in any order.  However, 
when the Property Editor writes an .mtl file, it puts the statements in 
a system-assigned order.  In this chapter, the statements are described 
in the system-assigned order.
 
 
 Format
 
 The following is a sample format for a material definition in an .mtl 
file:
 
 Material
 name
 statement:
 		newmtl my_mtl
 
 Material
 color and
 illumination
 statements:
 		Ka 0.0435 0.0435 0.0435
 		Kd 0.1086 0.1086 0.1086
 		Ks 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
 		Tf 0.9885 0.9885 0.9885
 		illum 6
 		d -halo 0.6600
 		Ns 10.0000
 		sharpness 60
 		Ni 1.19713
 
 Texture
 map
 statements:
 		map_Ka -s 1 1 1 -o 0 0 0 -mm 0 1 chrome.mpc
 		map_Kd -s 1 1 1 -o 0 0 0 -mm 0 1 chrome.mpc
 		map_Ks -s 1 1 1 -o 0 0 0 -mm 0 1 chrome.mpc
 		map_Ns -s 1 1 1 -o 0 0 0 -mm 0 1 wisp.mps
 		map_d -s 1 1 1 -o 0 0 0 -mm 0 1 wisp.mps
 		disp -s 1 1 .5 wisp.mps
 		decal -s 1 1 1 -o 0 0 0 -mm 0 1 sand.mps
 		bump -s 1 1 1 -o 0 0 0 -bm 1 sand.mpb
 
 Reflection
 map
 statement:
 		refl -type sphere -mm 0 1 clouds.mpc
 
 
 Material Name
 
 The material name statement assigns a name to the material description.
 
 Syntax
 The folowing syntax describes the material name statement.
 
 	newmtl name
 
 Specifies the start of a material description and assigns a name to the 
material.  An .mtl file must have one newmtl statement at the start of 
each material description.
 
 	"name" is the name of the material.  Names may be any length but 
cannot include blanks.  Underscores may be used in material names.
 
 
 Material color and illumination
 
 The statements in this section specify color, transparency, and 
reflectivity values.
 
 Syntax
 The following syntax describes the material color and illumination 
statements that apply to all .mtl files.
 
 
 	Ka r g b
 	Ka spectral file.rfl factor
 	Ka xyz x y z
 
 To specify the ambient reflectivity of the current material, you can 
use the "Ka" statement, the "Ka spectral" statement, or the "Ka xyz" 
statement.
 
 Tip	These statements are mutually exclusive.  They cannot be used 
concurrently in the same material.
 
 Ka r g b
 
 The Ka statement specifies the ambient reflectivity using RGB values.
 
 "r g b" are the values for the red, green, and blue components of the 
color.  The g and b arguments are optional.  If only r is specified, 
then g, and b are assumed to be equal to r.  The r g b values are 
normally in the range of 0.0 to 1.0.  Values outside this range increase 
or decrease the relectivity accordingly.
 
 Ka spectral file.rfl factor
 
 The "Ka spectral" statement specifies the ambient reflectivity using a 
spectral curve.
 
 "file.rfl" is the name of the .rfl file.
 "factor" is an optional argument.
 "factor" is a multiplier for the values in the .rfl file and defaults 
to 1.0, if not specified.
 
 Ka xyz x y z
 
 The "Ka xyz" statement specifies the ambient reflectivity using CIEXYZ 
values.
 
 "x y z" are the values of the CIEXYZ color space.  The y and z 
arguments are optional.  If only x is specified, then y and z are 
assumed to be equal to x.  The x y z values are normally in the range of 
0 to 1.  Values outside this range increase or decrease the reflectivity 
accordingly.
 
 
 	Kd r g b
 	Kd spectral file.rfl factor
 	Kd xyz x y z
 
 To specify the diffuse reflectivity of the current material, you can 
use the "Kd" statement, the "Kd spectral" statement, or the "Kd xyz" 
statement.
 
 Tip	These statements are mutually exclusive.  They cannot be used 
concurrently in the same material.
 
 Kd r g b
 
 The Kd statement specifies the diffuse reflectivity using RGB values.
 
 "r g b" are the values for the red, green, and blue components of the 
atmosphere.  The g and b arguments are optional.  If only r is 
specified, then g, and b are assumed to be equal to r.  The r g b values 
are normally in the range of 0.0 to 1.0.  Values outside this range 
increase or decrease the relectivity accordingly.
 
 Kd spectral file.rfl factor
 
 The "Kd spectral" statement specifies the diffuse reflectivity using a 
spectral curve.
 
 "file.rfl" is the name of the .rfl file.
 "factor" is an optional argument.
 "factor" is a multiplier for the values in the .rfl file and defaults 
to 1.0, if not specified.
 
 Kd xyz x y z
 
 The "Kd xyz" statement specifies the diffuse reflectivity using CIEXYZ 
values.
 
 "x y z" are the values of the CIEXYZ color space.  The y and z 
arguments are optional.  If only x is specified, then y and z are 
assumed to be equal to x.  The x y z values are normally in the range of 
0 to 1.  Values outside this range increase or decrease the reflectivity 
accordingly.
 
 
 	Ks r g b
 	Ks spectral file.rfl factor
 	Ks xyz x y z
 
 To specify the specular reflectivity of the current material, you can 
use the "Ks" statement, the "Ks spectral" statement, or the "Ks xyz" 
statement.
 
 Tip	These statements are mutually exclusive.  They cannot be used 
concurrently in the same material.
 
 Ks r g b
 
 The Ks statement specifies the specular reflectivity using RGB values.
 
 "r g b" are the values for the red, green, and blue components of the 
atmosphere.  The g and b arguments are optional.  If only r is 
specified, then g, and b are assumed to be equal to r.  The r g b values 
are normally in the range of 0.0 to 1.0.  Values outside this range 
increase or decrease the relectivity accordingly.
 
 Ks spectral file.rfl factor
 
 The "Ks spectral" statement specifies the specular reflectivity using a 
spectral curve.
 
 "file.rfl" is the name of the .rfl file.
 "factor" is an optional argument.
 "factor" is a multiplier for the values in the .rfl file and defaults 
to 1.0, if not specified.
 
 Ks xyz x y z
 
 The "Ks xyz" statement specifies the specular reflectivity using CIEXYZ 
values.
 
 "x y z" are the values of the CIEXYZ color space.  The y and z 
arguments are optional.  If only x is specified, then y and z are 
assumed to be equal to x.  The x y z values are normally in the range of 
0 to 1.  Values outside this range increase or decrease the reflectivity 
accordingly.
 
 
 	Tf r g b
 	Tf spectral file.rfl factor
 	Tf xyz x y z
 
 To specify the transmission filter of the current material, you can use 
the "Tf" statement, the "Tf spectral" statement, or the "Tf xyz" 
statement.
 
 Any light passing through the object is filtered by the transmission 
filter, which only allows the specifiec colors to pass through.  For 
example, Tf 0 1 0 allows all the green to pass through and filters out 
all the red and blue.
 
 Tip	These statements are mutually exclusive.  They cannot be used 
concurrently in the same material.
 
 Tf r g b
 
 The Tf statement specifies the transmission filter using RGB values.
 
 "r g b" are the values for the red, green, and blue components of the 
atmosphere.  The g and b arguments are optional.  If only r is 
specified, then g, and b are assumed to be equal to r.  The r g b values 
are normally in the range of 0.0 to 1.0.  Values outside this range 
increase or decrease the relectivity accordingly.
 
 Tf spectral file.rfl factor
 
 The "Tf spectral" statement specifies the transmission filterusing a 
spectral curve.
 
 "file.rfl" is the name of the .rfl file.
 "factor" is an optional argument.
 "factor" is a multiplier for the values in the .rfl file and defaults 
to 1.0, if not specified.
 
 Tf xyz x y z
 
 The "Ks xyz" statement specifies the specular reflectivity using CIEXYZ 
values.
 
 "x y z" are the values of the CIEXYZ color space.  The y and z 
arguments are optional.  If only x is specified, then y and z are 
assumed to be equal to x.  The x y z values are normally in the range of 
0 to 1.  Values outside this range will increase or decrease the 
intensity of the light transmission accordingly.
 
 
 illum illum_#
 
 The "illum" statement specifies the illumination model to use in the 
material.  Illumination models are mathematical equations that represent 
various material lighting and shading effects.
 
 "illum_#"can be a number from 0 to 10.  The illumination models are 
summarized below; for complete descriptions see "Illumination models" on 
page 5-30.
 
 Illumination    Properties that are turned on in the 
 model           Property Editor
 
 0		Color on and Ambient off
 1		Color on and Ambient on
 2		Highlight on
 3		Reflection on and Ray trace on
 4		Transparency: Glass on
 		Reflection: Ray trace on
 5		Reflection: Fresnel on and Ray trace on
 6		Transparency: Refraction on
 		Reflection: Fresnel off and Ray trace on
 7		Transparency: Refraction on
 		Reflection: Fresnel on and Ray trace on
 8		Reflection on and Ray trace off
 9		Transparency: Glass on
 		Reflection: Ray trace off
 10		Casts shadows onto invisible surfaces
 
 
 d factor
 
 Specifies the dissolve for the current material.
 
 "factor" is the amount this material dissolves into the background.  A 
factor of 1.0 is fully opaque.  This is the default when a new material 
is created.  A factor of 0.0 is fully dissolved (completely 
transparent).
 
 Unlike a real transparent material, the dissolve does not depend upon 
material thickness nor does it have any spectral character.  Dissolve 
works on all illumination models.
 
 d -halo factor
 
 Specifies that a dissolve is dependent on the surface orientation 
relative to the viewer.  For example, a sphere with the following 
dissolve, d -halo 0.0, will be fully dissolved at its center and will 
appear gradually more opaque toward its edge.
 
 "factor" is the minimum amount of dissolve applied to the material.  
The amount of dissolve will vary between 1.0 (fully opaque) and the 
specified "factor".  The formula is:
 
 dissolve = 1.0 - (N*v)(1.0-factor)
 
 For a definition of terms, see "Illumination models" on page 5-30.
 
 
 Ns exponent
 
 Specifies the specular exponent for the current material.  This defines 
the focus of the specular highlight.
 
 "exponent" is the value for the specular exponent.  A high exponent 
results in a tight, concentrated highlight.  Ns values normally range 
from 0 to 1000.
 
 
 sharpness value
 
 Specifies the sharpness of the reflections from the local reflection 
map.  If a material does not have a local reflection map defined in its 
material definition, sharpness will apply to the global reflection map 
defined in PreView.
 
 "value" can be a number from 0 to 1000.  The default is 60.  A high 
value results in a clear reflection of objects in the reflection map.
 
 Tip	Sharpness values greater than 100 map introduce aliasing effects 
in flat surfaces that are viewed at a sharp angle
 
 
 Ni optical_density
 
 Specifies the optical density for the surface.  This is also known as 
index of refraction.
 
 "optical_density" is the value for the optical density.  The values can 
range from 0.001 to 10.  A value of 1.0 means that light does not bend 
as it passes through an object.  Increasing the optical_density 
increases the amount of bending.  Glass has an index of refraction of 
about 1.5.  Values of less than 1.0 produce bizarre results and are not 
recommended.
 
 
 Material texture map
 
 Texture map statements modify the material parameters of a surface by 
associating an image or texture file with material parameters that can 
be mapped.  By modifying existing parameters instead of replacing them, 
texture maps provide great flexibility in changing the appearance of an 
object's surface.
 
 Image files and texture files can be used interchangeably.  If you use 
an image file, that file is converted to a texture in memory and is 
discarded after rendering.
 
 Tip Using images instead of textures saves disk space and setup time, 
however, it introduces a small computational cost at the beginning of a 
render.
 
 The material parameters that can be modified by a texture map are:
 
 - Ka (color)
 - Kd (color)
 - Ks (color)
 - Ns (scalar)
 - d (scalar)
 
 In addition to the material parameters, the surface normal can be 
modified.
 
 
 Image file types
 
 You can link any image file type that is currently supported.  
Supported image file types are listed in the chapter "About Image" in 
the "Advanced Visualizer User's Guide".  You can also use the "im_info -
a" command to list Image file types, among other things.
 
 
 Texture file types
 
 The texture file types you can use are:
 
 - mip-mapped texture files (.mpc, .mps, .mpb)
 - compiled procedural texture files (.cxc, .cxs, .cxb)
 
 
 Mip-mapped texture files
 
 Mip-mapped texture files are created from images using the Create 
Textures panel in the Director or the "texture2D" program.  There are 
three types of texture files:
 
 - color texture files (.mpc)
 - scalar texture files (.mps)
 - bump texture files (.mpb)
 
 Color textures.  Color texture files are designated by an extension of 
".mpc" in the filename, such as "chrome.mpc".  Color textures modify the 
material color as follows:
 
 - Ka - material ambient is multiplied by the texture value
 - Kd - material diffuse is multiplied by the texture value
 - Ks - material specular is multiplied by the texture value
 
 Scalar textures.  Scalar texture files are designated by an extension 
of ".mps" in the filename, such as "wisp.mps".  Scalar textures modify 
the material scalar values as follows:
 
 - Ns - material specular exponent is multiplied by the texture value
 - d - material dissolve is multiplied by the texture value
 - decal - uses a scalar value to deform the surface of an object to 
create surface roughness
 
 Bump textures.  Bump texture files are designated by an extension of 
".mpb" in the filename, such as "sand.mpb".  Bump textures modify 
surface normals.  The image used for a bump texture represents the 
topology or height of the surface relative to the average surface.  Dark 
areas are depressions and light areas are high points.  The effect is 
like embossing the surface with the texture.
 
 
 Procedural texture files
 
 Procedural texture files use mathematical formulas to calculate sample 
values of the texture.  The procedural texture file is compiled, stored, 
and accessed by the Image program when rendering.  for more information 
see chapter 9, "Procedural Texture Files (.cxc, .cxb. and .cxs)".
 
 Syntax
 
 The following syntax describes the texture map statements that apply to 
.mtl files.  These statements can be used alone or with any combination 
of options.  The options and their arguments are inserted between the 
keyword and the "filename".
 
 map_Ka -options args filename
 
 Specifies that a color texture file or a color procedural texture file 
is applied to the ambient reflectivity of the material.  During 
rendering, the "map_Ka" value is multiplied by the "Ka" value.
 
 "filename" is the name of a color texture file (.mpc), a color 
procedural texture file (.cxc), or an image file.
 
 Tip	To make sure that the texture retains its original look, use the 
.rfl file "ident" as the underlying material.  This applies to the 
"map_Ka", "map_Kd", and "map_Ks" statements.  For more information on 
.rfl files, see chapter 8, "Spectral Curve File (.rfl)".
 
 The options for the "map_Ka" statement are listed below.  These options 
are described in detail in "Options for texture map statements" on page 
5-18.
 
 	-blendu on | off
 	-blendv on | off
 	-cc on | off
 	-clamp on | off
 	-mm base gain
 	-o u v w
 	-s u v w
 	-t u v w
 	-texres value
 
 
 map_Kd -options args filename
 
 Specifies that a color texture file or color procedural texture file is 
linked to the diffuse reflectivity of the material.  During rendering, 
the map_Kd value is multiplied by the Kd value.
 
 "filename" is the name of a color texture file (.mpc), a color 
procedural texture file (.cxc), or an image file.
 
 The options for the map_Kd statement are listed below.  These options 
are described in detail in "Options for texture map statements" on page 
5-18.
 
 	-blendu on | off
 	-blendv on | off
 	-cc on | off
 	-clamp on | off
 	-mm base gain
 	-o u v w
 	-s u v w
 	-t u v w
 	-texres value
 
 
 map_Ks -options args filename
 
 Specifies that a color texture file or color procedural texture file is 
linked to the specular reflectivity of the material.  During rendering, 
the map_Ks value is multiplied by the Ks value.
 
 "filename" is the name of a color texture file (.mpc), a color 
procedural texture file (.cxc), or an image file.
 
 The options for the map_Ks statement are listed below.  These options 
are described in detail in "Options for texture map statements" on page 
5-18.
 
 	-blendu on | off
 	-blendv on | off
 	-cc on | off
 	-clamp on | off
 	-mm base gain
 	-o u v w
 	-s u v w
 	-t u v w
 	-texres value
 
 
 map_Ns -options args filename
 
 Specifies that a scalar texture file or scalar procedural texture file 
is linked to the specular exponent of the material.  During rendering, 
the map_Ns value is multiplied by the Ns value.
 
 "filename" is the name of a scalar texture file (.mps), a scalar 
procedural texture file (.cxs), or an image file.
 
 The options for the map_Ns statement are listed below.  These options 
are described in detail in "Options for texture map statements" on page 
5-18.
 
 	-blendu on | off
 	-blendv on | off
 	-clamp on | off
 	-imfchan r | g | b | m | l | z
 	-mm base gain
 	-o u v w
 	-s u v w
 	-t u v w
 	-texres value
 
 
 map_d -options args filename
 
 Specifies that a scalar texture file or scalar procedural texture file 
is linked to the dissolve of the material.  During rendering, the map_d 
value is multiplied by the d value.
 
 "filename" is the name of a scalar texture file (.mps), a scalar 
procedural texture file (.cxs), or an image file.
 
 The options for the map_d statement are listed below.  These options 
are described in detail in "Options for texture map statements" on page 
5-18.
 
 	-blendu on | off
 	-blendv on | off
 	-clamp on | off
 	-imfchan r | g | b | m | l | z
 	-mm base gain
 	-o u v w
 	-s u v w
 	-t u v w
 	-texres value
 
 
 map_aat on
 
 Turns on anti-aliasing of textures in this material without anti-
aliasing all textures in the scene.
 
 If you wish to selectively anti-alias textures, first insert this 
statement in the material file.  Then, when rendering with the Image 
panel, choose the anti-alias settings:  "shadows", "reflections 
polygons", or "polygons only".  If using Image from the command line, 
use the -aa or -os options.  Do not use the -aat option.
 
 Image will anti-alias all textures in materials with the map_aat on 
statement, using the oversampling level you choose when you run Image.  
Textures in other materials will not be oversampled.
 
 You cannot set a different oversampling level individually for each 
material, nor can you anti-alias some textures in a material and not 
others.  To anti-alias all textures in all materials, use the -aat 
option from the Image command line.  If a material with "map_aat on" 
includes a reflection map, all textures in that reflection map will be 
anti-aliased as well.
 
 You will not see the effects of map_aat in the Property Editor.
 
 Tip	Some .mpc textures map exhibit undesirable effects around the 
edges of smoothed objects.  The "map_aat" statement will correct this.
 
 
 decal -options args filename
 
 Specifies that a scalar texture file or a scalar procedural texture 
file is used to selectively replace the material color with the texture 
color.
 
 "filename" is the name of a scalar texture file (.mps), a scalar 
procedural texture file (.cxs), or an image file.
 
 During rendering, the Ka, Kd, and Ks values and the map_Ka, map_Kd, and 
map_Ks values are blended according to the following formula:
 
 result_color=tex_color(tv)*decal(tv)+mtl_color*(1.0-decal(tv))
 
 where tv is the texture vertex.
 
 "result_color" is the blended Ka, Kd, and Ks values.
 
 The options for the decal statement are listed below.  These options 
are described in detail in "Options for texture map statements" on page 
5-18.
 
 	-blendu on | off
 	-blendv on | off
 	-clamp on | off
 	-imfchan r | g | b | m | l | z
 	-mm base gain
 	-o u v w
 	-s u v w
 	-t u v w
 	-texres value
 
 
 disp -options args filename
 
 Specifies that a scalar texture is used to deform the surface of an 
object, creating surface roughness.
 
 "filename" is the name of a scalar texture file (.mps), a bump 
procedural texture file (.cxb), or an image file.
 
 The options for the disp statement are listed below.  These options are 
described in detail in "Options for texture map statements" on page 5-
18.
 
 	-blendu on | off
 	-blendv on | off
 	-clamp on | off
 	-imfchan r | g | b | m | l | z
 	-mm base gain
 	-o u v w
 	-s u v w
 	-t u v w
 	-texres value
 
 
 bump -options args filename
 
 Specifies that a bump texture file or a bump procedural texture file is 
linked to the material.
 
 "filename" is the name of a bump texture file (.mpb), a bump procedural 
texture file (.cxb), or an image file.
 
 The options for the bump statement are listed below.  These options are 
described in detail in "Options for texture map statements" on page 5-
18.
 
 	-bm mult
 	-clamp on | off
 	-blendu on | off
 	-blendv on | off
 	-imfchan r | g | b | m | l | z
 	-mm base gain
 	-o u v w
 	-s u v w
 	-t u v w
 	-texres value
 
 
 Options for texture map statements
 
 The following options and arguments can be used to modify the texture 
map statements.
 
 -blenu on | off
 
 The -blendu option turns texture blending in the horizontal direction 
(u direction) on or off.  The default is on.
 
 -blenv on | off
 
 The -blendv option turns texture blending in the vertical direction (v 
direction) on or off.  The default is on.
 
 -bm mult
 
 The -bm option specifies a bump multiplier.  You can use it only with 
the "bump" statement.  Values stored with the texture or procedural 
texture file are multiplied by this value before they are applied to the 
surface.
 
 "mult" is the value for the bump multiplier.  It can be positive or 
negative.  Extreme bump multipliers may cause odd visual results because 
only the surface normal is perturbed and the surface position does not 
change.  For best results, use values between 0 and 1.
 
 -boost value
 
 The -boost option increases the sharpness, or clarity, of mip-mapped 
texture files -- that is, color (.mpc), scalar (.mps), and bump (.mpb) 
files.  If you render animations with boost, you may experience some 
texture crawling.  The effects of boost are seen when you render in 
Image or test render in Model or PreView; they aren't as noticeable in 
Property Editor.
 
 "value" is any non-negative floating point value representing the 
degree of increased clarity; the greater the value, the greater the 
clarity.  You should start with a boost value of no more than 1 or 2 and 
increase the value as needed.  Note that larger values have more 
potential to introduce texture crawling when animated.
 
 -cc on | off
 
 The -cc option turns on color correction for the texture.  You can use 
it only with the color map statements:  map_Ka, map_Kd, and map_Ks.
 
 -clamp on | off
 
 The -clamp option turns clamping on or off.  When clamping is on, 
textures are restricted to 0-1 in the uvw range.  The default is off.
 
 When clamping is turned on, one copy of the texture is mapped onto the 
surface, rather than repeating copies of the original texture across the 
surface of a polygon, which is the default.  Outside of the origin 
texture, the underlying material is unchanged.
 
 A postage stamp on an envelope or a label on a can of soup is an 
example of a texture with clamping turned on.  A tile floor or a 
sidewalk is an example of a texture with clamping turned off.
 
 Two-dimensional textures are clamped in the u and v dimensions; 3D 
procedural textures are clamped in the u, v, and w dimensions.
 
 -imfchan r | g | b | m | l | z
 
 The -imfchan option specifies the channel used to create a scalar or 
bump texture.  Scalar textures are applied to:
 
 transparency
 specular exponent
 decal
 displacement
 
 The channel choices are:
 
 r specifies the red channel.
 g specifies the green channel.
 b specifies the blue channel.
 m specifies the matte channel.
 l specifies the luminance channel.
 z specifies the z-depth channel.
  
 The default for bump and scalar textures is "l" (luminance), unless you 
are building a decal.  In that case, the default is "m" (matte).
 
 -mm base gain
 
 The -mm option modifies the range over which scalar or color texture 
values may vary.  This has an effect only during rendering and does not 
change the file.
 
 "base" adds a base value to the texture values.  A positive value makes 
everything brighter; a negative value makes everything dimmer.  The 
default is 0; the range is unlimited.
 
 "gain" expands the range of the texture values.  Increasing the number 
increases the contrast.  The default is 1; the range is unlimited.
 
 -o u v w
 
 The -o option offsets the position of the texture map on the surface by 
shifting the position of the map origin.  The default is 0, 0, 0.
 
 "u" is the value for the horizontal direction of the texture
 
 "v" is an optional argument.
 "v" is the value for the vertical direction of the texture.
 
 "w" is an optional argument.
 "w" is the value used for the depth of a 3D texture.
 
 -s u v w
 
 The -s option scales the size of the texture pattern on the textured 
surface by expanding or shrinking the pattern.  The default is 1, 1, 1.
 
 "u" is the value for the horizontal direction of the texture
 
 "v" is an optional argument.
 "v" is the value for the vertical direction of the texture.
 
 "w" is an optional argument.
 "w" is a value used for the depth of a 3D texture.
 "w" is a value used for the amount of tessellation of the displacement 
map.
 
 -t u v w
 
 The -t option turns on turbulence for textures.  Adding turbulence to a 
texture along a specified direction adds variance to the original image 
and allows a simple image to be repeated over a larger area without 
noticeable tiling effects.
 
 turbulence also lets you use a 2D image as if it were a solid texture, 
similar to 3D procedural textures like marble and granite.
 
 "u" is the value for the horizontal direction of the texture 
turbulence.
 
 "v" is an optional argument.
 "v" is the value for the vertical direction of the texture turbulence.
 
 "w" is an optional argument.
 "w" is a value used for the depth of the texture turbulence.
 
 By default, the turbulence for every texture map used in a material is 
uvw = (0,0,0).  This means that no turbulence will be applied and the 2D 
texture will behave normally.
 
 Only when you raise the turbulence values above zero will you see the 
effects of turbulence.
 
 -texres resolution
 
 The -texres option specifies the resolution of texture created when an 
image is used.  The default texture size is the largest power of two 
that does not exceed the original image size.
 
 If the source image is an exact power of 2, the texture cannot be built 
any larger.  If the source image size is not an exact power of 2, you 
can specify that the texture be built at the next power of 2 greater 
than the source image size.
 
 The original image should be square, otherwise, it will be scaled to 
fit the closest square size that is not larger than the original.  
Scaling reduces sharpness.
 
 
 Material reflection map
 
 A reflection map is an environment that simulates reflections in 
specified objects.  The environment is represented by a color texture 
file or procedural texture file that is mapped on the inside of an 
infinitely large, space.  Reflection maps can be spherical or cubic.  A 
spherical reflection map requires only one texture or image file, while 
a cubic reflection map requires six.
 
 Each material description can contain one reflection map statement that 
specifies a color texture file or a color procedural texture file to 
represent the environment.  The material itself must be assigned an 
illumination model of 3 or greater.
 
 The reflection map statement in the .mtl file defines a local 
reflection map.  That is, each material assigned to an object in a scene 
can have an individual reflection map.  In PreView, you can assign a 
global reflection map to an object and specify the orientation of the 
reflection map.  Rotating the reflection map creates the effect of 
animating reflections independently of object motion.  When you replace 
a global reflection map with a local reflection map, the local 
reflection map inherits the transformation of the global reflection map.
 
 Syntax
 
 The following syntax statements describe the reflection map statement 
for .mtl files.
 
 refl -type sphere -options -args filename
 
 Specifies an infinitely large sphere that casts reflections onto the 
material.  You specify one texture file.
 
 "filename" is the color texture file, color procedural texture file, or 
image file that will be mapped onto the inside of the shape.
 
 refl -type cube_side -options -args filenames
 
 Specifies an infinitely large sphere that casts reflections onto the 
material.  You can specify different texture files for the "top", 
"bottom", "front", "back", "left", and "right" with the following 
statements:
 
 refl -type cube_top
 refl -type cube_bottom
 refl -type cube_front
 refl -type cube_back
 refl -type cube_left
 refl -type cube_right
 
 "filenames" are the color texture files, color procedural texture 
files, or image files that will be mapped onto the inside of the shape.
 
 The "refl" statements for sphere and cube can be used alone or with 
 any combination of the following options.  The options and their 
arguments are inserted between "refl" and "filename".
 
 -blendu on | off
 -blendv on | off
 -cc on | off
 -clamp on | off
 -mm base gain
 -o u v w
 -s u v w
 -t u v w
 -texres value
 
 The options for the reflection map statement are described in detail in 
"Options for texture map statements" on page 18.
 
 
 Examples
 
 1  Neon green
 
 This is a bright green material.  When applied to an object, it will 
remain bright green regardless of any lighting in the scene.
 
 newmtl neon_green
 Kd 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 illum 0
 
 2  Flat green
 
 This is a flat green material.
 
 newmtl flat_green
 Ka 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 Kd 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 illum 1
 
 3  Dissolved green
 
 This is a flat green, partially dissolved material.
 
 newmtl diss_green
 Ka 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 Kd 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 d 0.8000
 illum 1
 
 4  Shiny green
 
 This is a shiny green material.  When applied to an object, it shows a 
white specular highlight.
 
 newmtl shiny_green
 Ka 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 Kd 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 Ks 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000
 Ns 200.0000
 illum 1
 
 5  Green mirror
 
 This is a reflective green material.  When applied to an object, it 
reflects other objects in the same scene.
 
 newmtl green_mirror
 Ka 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 Kd 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 Ks 0.0000 1.0000 0.0000
 Ns 200.0000
 illum 3
 
 6  Fake windshield
 
 This material approximates a glass surface.  Is it almost completely 
transparent, but it shows reflections of other objects in the scene.  It 
will not distort the image of objects seen through the material.
 
 newmtl fake_windsh
 Ka 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
 Kd 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
 Ks 0.9000 0.9000 0.9000
 d 0.1000
 Ns 200
 illum 4
 
 7  Fresnel blue
 
 This material exhibits an effect known as Fresnel reflection.  When 
applied to an object, white fringes may appear where the object's 
surface is viewed at a glancing angle.
 
 newmtl fresnel_blu
 Ka 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
 Kd 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
 Ks 0.6180 0.8760 0.1430
 Ns 200
 illum 5
 
 8  Real windshield
 
 This material accurately represents a glass surface.  It filters of 
colorizes objects that are seen through it.  Filtering is done according 
to the transmission color of the material.  The material also distorts 
the image of objects according to its optical density.  Note that the 
material is not dissolved and that its ambient, diffuse, and specular 
reflective colors have been set to black.  Only the transmission color 
is non-black.
 
 newmtl real_windsh
 Ka 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
 Kd 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
 Ks 0.0000 0.0000 0.0000
 Tf 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000
 Ns 200
 Ni 1.2000
 illum 6
 
 9  Fresnel windshield
 
 This material combines the effects in examples 7 and 8.
 
 newmtl fresnel_win
 Ka 0.0000 0.0000 1.0000
 Kd 0.0000 0.0000 1.0000
 Ks 0.6180 0.8760 0.1430
 Tf 1.0000 1.0000 1.0000
 Ns 200
 Ni 1.2000
 illum 7
 
 10  Tin
 
 This material is based on spectral reflectance samples taken from an 
actual piece of tin.  These samples are stored in a separate .rfl file 
that is referred to by name in the material.  Spectral sample files 
(.rfl) can be used in any type of material as an alternative to RGB 
values.
 
 newmtl tin
 Ka spectral tin.rfl
 Kd spectral tin.rfl
 Ks spectral tin.rfl
 Ns 200
 illum 3
 
 11  Pine Wood
 
 This material includes a texture map of a pine pattern.  The material 
color is set to "ident" to preserve the texture's true color.  When 
applied to an object, this texture map will affect only the ambient and 
diffuse regions of that object's surface.
 
 The color information for the texture is stored in a separate .mpc file 
that is referred to in the material by its name, "pine.mpc".  If you use 
different .mpc files for ambient and diffuse, you will get unrealistic 
results.
 
 newmtl pine_wood
 Ka spectral ident.rfl 1
 Kd spectral ident.rfl 1
 illum 1
 map_Ka pine.mpc
 map_Kd pine.mpc
 
 12  Bumpy leather
 
 This material includes a texture map of a leather pattern.  The 
material color is set to "ident" to preserve the texture's true color.  
When applied to an object, it affects both the color of the object's 
surface and its apparent bumpiness.
 
 The color information for the texture is stored in a separate .mpc file 
that is referred to in the material by its name, "brown.mpc".  The bump 
information is stored in a separate .mpb file that is referred to in the 
material by its name, "leath.mpb".  The -bm option is used to raise the 
apparent height of the leather bumps.
 
 newmtl bumpy_leath
 Ka spectral ident.rfl 1
 Kd spectral ident.rfl 1
 Ks spectral ident.rfl 1
 illum 2
 map_Ka brown.mpc
 map_Kd brown.mpc
 map_Ks brown.mpc
 bump -bm 2.000 leath.mpb
 
 13  Frosted window
 
 This material includes a texture map used to alter the opacity of an 
object's surface.  The material color is set to "ident" to preserve the 
texture's true color.  When applied to an object, the object becomes 
transparent in certain areas and opaque in others.
 
 The variation between opaque and transparent regions is controlled by 
scalar information stored in a separate .mps file that is referred to in 
the material by its name, "window.mps".  The "-mm" option is used to 
shift and compress the range of opacity.
 
 newmtl frost_wind
 Ka 0.2 0.2 0.2
 Kd 0.6 0.6 0.6
 Ks 0.1 0.1 0.1
 d 1
 Ns 200
 illum 2
 map_d -mm 0.200 0.800 window.mps
 
 14  Shifted logo
 
 This material includes a texture map which illustrates how a texture's 
origin may be shifted left/right (the "u" direction) or up/down (the "v" 
direction).  The material color is set to "ident" to preserve the 
texture's true color.
 
 In this example, the original image of the logo is off-center to the 
left.  To compensate, the texture's origin is shifted back to the right 
(the positive "u" direction) using the "-o" option to modify the origin.
 
 Ka spectral ident.rfl 1
 Kd spectral ident.rfl 1
 Ks spectral ident.rfl 1
 illum 2
 map_Ka -o 0.200 0.000 0.000 logo.mpc
 map_Kd -o 0.200 0.000 0.000 logo.mpc
 map_Ks -o 0.200 0.000 0.000 logo.mpc
 
 15  Scaled logo
 
 This material includes a texture map showing how a texture may be 
scaled left or right (in the "u" direction) or up and down (in the "v" 
direction).  The material color is set to "ident" to preserve the 
texture's true color.
 
 In this example, the original image of the logo is too small.  To 
compensate, the texture is scaled slightly to the right (in the positive 
"u" direction) and up (in the positive "v" direction) using the "-s" 
option to modify the scale.
 
 Ka spectral ident.rfl 1
 Kd spectral ident.rfl 1
 Ks spectral ident.rfl 1
 illum 2
 map_Ka -s 1.200 1.200 0.000 logo.mpc
 map_Kd -s 1.200 1.200 0.000 logo.mpc
 map_Ks -s 1.200 1.200 0.000 logo.mpc
 
 16  Chrome with spherical reflection map
 
 This illustrates a common use for local reflection maps (defined in a 
material).
 
 this material is highly reflective with no diffuse or ambient 
contribution.  Its reflection map is an image with silver streaks that 
yields a chrome appearance when viewed as a reflection.
 
 ka 0 0 0
 kd 0 0 0
 ks .7 .7 .7
 illum 1
 refl -type sphere chrome.rla
 
 
 Illumination models
 
 The following list defines the terms and vectors that are used in the 
illumination model equations:
 
 Term	Definition
 
 Ft	Fresnel reflectance
 Ft	Fresnel transmittance
 Ia	ambient light
 I	light intensity
 Ir	intensity from reflected direction
 	(reflection map and/or ray tracing)
 It	intensity from transmitted direction
 Ka	ambient reflectance
 Kd	diffuse reflectance
 Ks	specular reflectance
 Tf	transmission filter
 
 Vector	Definition
 
 H	unit vector bisector between L and V
 L	unit light vector
 N	unit surface normal
 V	unit view vector
 
 The illumination models are:
 
 0  This is a constant color illumination model.  The color is the 
specified Kd for the material.  The formula is:
 
   color = Kd
 
 1  This is a diffuse illumination model using Lambertian shading. The 
color includes an ambient constant term and a diffuse shading term for 
each light source.  The formula is
 
   color = KaIa + Kd { SUM j=1..ls, (N * Lj)Ij }
 
 2  This is a diffuse and specular illumination model using Lambertian 
shading and Blinn's interpretation of Phong's specular illumination 
model (BLIN77).  The color includes an ambient constant term, and a 
diffuse and specular shading term for each light source.  The formula 
is:
 
   color = KaIa 
 	+ Kd { SUM j=1..ls, (N*Lj)Ij }
 	+ Ks { SUM j=1..ls, ((H*Hj)^Ns)Ij }
 
 3  This is a diffuse and specular illumination model with reflection 
using Lambertian shading, Blinn's interpretation of Phong's specular 
illumination model (BLIN77), and a reflection term similar to that in 
Whitted's illumination model (WHIT80).  The color includes an ambient 
constant term and a diffuse and specular shading term for each light 
source.  The formula is:
 
   color = KaIa
 	+ Kd { SUM j=1..ls, (N*Lj)Ij }
 	+ Ks ({ SUM j=1..ls, ((H*Hj)^Ns)Ij } + Ir)
 
   Ir = (intensity of reflection map) + (ray trace)
 
 4  The diffuse and specular illumination model used to simulate glass 
is the same as illumination model 3.  When using a very low dissolve 
(approximately 0.1), specular highlights from lights or reflections 
become imperceptible.
 
 Simulating glass requires an almost transparent object that still 
reflects strong highlights.  The maximum of the average intensity of 
highlights and reflected lights is used to adjust the dissolve factor.  
The formula is:
 
   color = KaIa
 	+ Kd { SUM j=1..ls, (N*Lj)Ij }
 	+ Ks ({ SUM j=1..ls, ((H*Hj)^Ns)Ij } + Ir)
 
 5  This is a diffuse and specular shading models similar to 
illumination model 3, except that reflection due to Fresnel effects is 
introduced into the equation.  Fresnel reflection results from light 
striking a diffuse surface at a grazing or glancing angle.  When light 
reflects at a grazing angle, the Ks value approaches 1.0 for all color 
samples.  The formula is:
 
   color = KaIa
 	+ Kd { SUM j=1..ls, (N*Lj)Ij }
 	+ Ks ({ SUM j=1..ls, ((H*Hj)^Ns)Ij Fr(Lj*Hj,Ks,Ns)Ij} + 
Fr(N*V,Ks,Ns)Ir})
 
 
 6  This is a diffuse and specular illumination model similar to that 
used by Whitted (WHIT80) that allows rays to refract through a surface.  
The amount of refraction is based on optical density (Ni).  The 
intensity of light that refracts is equal to 1.0 minus the value of Ks, 
and the resulting light is filtered by Tf (transmission filter) as it 
passes through the object.  The formula is:
 
   color = KaIa
 	+ Kd { SUM j=1..ls, (N*Lj)Ij }
 	+ Ks ({ SUM j=1..ls, ((H*Hj)^Ns)Ij } + Ir)
 	+ (1.0 - Ks) TfIt
 
 7  This illumination model is similar to illumination model 6, except 
that reflection and transmission due to Fresnel effects has been 
introduced to the equation.  At grazing angles, more light is reflected 
and less light is refracted through the object.  The formula is:
 
   color = KaIa
 	+ Kd { SUM j=1..ls, (N*Lj)Ij }
 	+ Ks ({ SUM j=1..ls, ((H*Hj)^Ns)Ij Fr(Lj*Hj,Ks,Ns)Ij} + 
Fr(N*V,Ks,Ns)Ir})
 
 	+ (1.0 - Kx)Ft (N*V,(1.0-Ks),Ns)TfIt
 
 8  This illumination model is similar to illumination model 3 without 
ray tracing.  The formula is:
 
   color = KaIa
 	+ Kd { SUM j=1..ls, (N*Lj)Ij }
 	+ Ks ({ SUM j=1..ls, ((H*Hj)^Ns)Ij } + Ir)
 
   Ir = (intensity of reflection map)
 
 9  This illumination model is similar to illumination model 4without 
ray tracing.  The formula is:
 
 
   color = KaIa
 	+ Kd { SUM j=1..ls, (N*Lj)Ij }
 	+ Ks ({ SUM j=1..ls, ((H*Hj)^Ns)Ij } + Ir)
 
   Ir = (intensity of reflection map)
 
 10  This illumination model is used to cast shadows onto an invisible 
surface.  This is most useful when compositing computer-generated 
imagery onto live action, since it allows shadows from rendered objects 
to be composited directly on top of video-grabbed images.  The equation 
for computation of a shadowmatte is formulated as follows.
 
 color = Pixel color.  The pixel color of a shadowmatte material is 
always black.
 
 color = black
 
 M = Matte channel value.  This is the image channel which typically 
represents the opacity of the point on the surface.  To store the shadow 
in the matte channel of the image, it is calculated as:
 
 M = 1 - W / P
 
 where:
 
 P = Unweighted sum.  This is the sum of all S values for each light:
 
 P = S1 + S2 + S3 + .....
 
 W = Weighted sum.  This is the sum of all S values, each weighted by 
the visibility factor (Q) for the light:
 
 W = (S1 * Q1) + (S2 * Q2) + .....
 
 Q = Visibility factor.  This is the amount of light from a particular 
light source that reaches the point to be shaded, after traveling 
through all shadow objects between the light and the point on the 
surface.  Q = 0 means no light reached the point to be shaded; it was 
blocked by shadow objects, thus casting a shadow.  Q = 1 means that 
nothing blocked the light, and no shadow was cast.  0 < Q < 1 means that 
the light was partially blocked by objects that were partially 
dissolved.
 
 S = Summed brightness.  This is the sum of the spectral sample 
intensities for a particular light.  The samples are variable, but the 
default is 3:
 
 S = samp1 + samp2 + samp3.