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Chapter 17: Adding Material Details with Maps

Gradient map
The Gradient map creates a gradient image using three colors. The Gradient Parameters rollout includes a
color swatch and map button for each color. You can position the center color at any location between the
two ends using the Color 2 Position value spinner. The value can range from 0 through 1. The rollout lets
you choose between Linear and Radial gradient types.
The Noise Amount adds noise to the gradient if its value is nonzero. The Size value scales the noise effect,
and the Phase controls how quickly the noise changes over time. The three types of noise that you can
select are Regular, Fractal, and Turbulence. The Levels value determines how many times the noise function
is applied. The High and Low Threshold and Smooth values set the limits of the noise function to eliminate
discontinuities.
Figure 17.12 shows linear and radial Gradient maps.

FIGURE 17.12
A Gradient map can be linear (left) or radial (right).

Gradient Ramp map
This advanced version of the Gradient map can use many different colors. The Gradient Ramp Parameters
rollout, shown in Figure 17.13, includes a color bar with several flags along its bottom edge. You can add
flags by simply clicking along the bottom edge. You can also drag flags to reposition them or delete the inte-
rior flags by dragging them all the way to either end until they turn red.
To define the color for each flag, right-click the flag and then select Edit Properties from the pop-up menu.
The Flag Properties dialog box, also shown in Figure 17.13, opens so you can select a color or texture to
use.
The Gradient Type drop-down in the Gradient Ramp Parameters rollout offers various Gradient Types,
including 4 Corner, Box, Diagonal, Lighting, Linear, Mapped, Normal, Pong, Radial, Spiral, Sweep, and
Tartan. You can also select from several Interpolation types, including Custom, Ease In, Ease In Out, Ease
Out, Linear, and Solid.
Figure 17.14 shows several of the gradient types available for the Gradient Ramp map.

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